So, you’re looking at the new orleans weather 10 day forecast and wondering if you should pack a swimsuit or a parka. Honestly? Probably both. New Orleans in January is a total mood ring. One minute you’re sipping a daiquiri in 68°F sunshine, and the next, a damp wind kicks up off the Mississippi River and you’re shivering in your gumbo.
If you're checking the numbers today, Friday, January 16, 2026, it looks gorgeous. We're sitting at a sweet 67°F right now. It feels like 76°F because, well, Louisiana humidity never really sleeps. It’s sunny, the wind is a light 12 mph out of the south, and life is good. But don't let that fool you into thinking the rest of the week is a cakewalk.
The Rollercoaster: What the new orleans weather 10 day forecast Really Means
Tomorrow is where the "winter" part of New Orleans starts to play games. Saturday drops to a high of 53°F and stays cloudy. That's a 15-degree swing in 24 hours. If you've never felt 50 degrees in a swamp city, it’s "wet cold." It gets into your bones. By Sunday, we’re looking at a high of only 48°F.
People think the South is always warm. Wrong.
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The early part of next week—Monday through Wednesday—starts a slow climb back up. We'll go from 57°F on Monday to 62°F by Wednesday. But keep an eye on Thursday, January 22. There’s a 45% chance of light rain with a high of 63°F. It’s that classic grey, misty NOLA weather where the moss on the oak trees looks extra green but your hair goes 100% frizz.
Surviving the Humidity and the "Wet Cold"
Experts at the National Weather Service often point out that the dew point in South Louisiana makes the air feel heavier. Even when the humidity is "low" for us (around 45% today), it’s still higher than a desert in mid-summer.
When the temperature hits that 34°F low we're expecting tonight, it’s not just cold—it’s biting.
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Here is how the next few days actually look:
Friday (Today): High 68°F / Low 34°F. Wear layers. The gap between day and night is huge.
Saturday: High 53°F / Low 39°F. Cloudy and chilly. Bring a real jacket.
Sunday: High 48°F / Low 38°F. Sunny but the coldest day of the stretch.
Monday: High 57°F / Low 39°F. Back to being manageable.
The back half of the 10-day stretch gets even weirder. By next Saturday, January 24, we’re looking at a high of 69°F but with a significant chance of rain and showers. Basically, the atmosphere is just undecided.
The Festival Factor: Planning Around the Rain
If you’re here for the Krewe Mosaique parade or any of the early Mardi Gras season events, that light rain on the 22nd and 24th matters. New Orleans doesn't stop for rain, but the streets get slick.
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Historically, January in New Orleans averages about 4 to 5 inches of rain. We aren't seeing a "washout" in this current forecast, but the humidity will spike to 96% by Sunday, January 25. That’s essentially breathing soup.
What to actually put in your suitcase:
- A windbreaker or light rain shell. Essential for the 11-14 mph winds coming off the water.
- Layers. You'll want a t-shirt at 2:00 PM and a sweater by 6:00 PM.
- Waterproof shoes. New Orleans drainage is... legendary. In a bad way. Puddles linger.
New Orleans weather is less about the "average" and more about the extremes. You can't trust a single sunny afternoon to represent the whole trip.
If you're planning outdoor dining or a swamp tour, aim for Monday or Tuesday of next week. The UV index will be around 3, the sun will be out, and the wind will die down to about 6 mph. It’s the sweet spot before the humidity and rain chances ramp back up toward the following weekend.
Check your apps, but watch the clouds. The Big Easy is many things, but "predictable" isn't one of them.
To make the most of this window, prioritize your outdoor French Quarter walks between now and Monday before the dampness settles in later next week.