So, you're looking at the temp in New Orleans and wondering if you should pack a swimsuit or a parka.
Honestly? New Orleans in January is a bit of a mood ring. It’s the kind of place where you can wake up to a crisp, biting chill and be shedding your sweater by a sunny lunch on a Magazine Street patio.
Right now, as of midday Sunday, January 18, 2026, it is 46°F in the Crescent City.
But don't let that number fool you. Because of a steady 12 mph wind coming out of the northwest, it actually feels like 39°F. That’s the damp, river-adjacent cold that gets right into your bones if you aren't prepared.
The "Layer Up" Reality
If you're stepping outside today, the high is only hitting 47°F.
It’s sunny, which helps. But that northwest wind is the real player here, keeping things feeling like a true winter day. Tonight, the sky stays clear, but the temperature is going to dip down to a low of 36°F.
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Basically, the city is currently in the middle of a "brief chill" that has local agencies like NOHSEP expanding shelter access for those who need it.
What the Rest of the Week Looks Like
New Orleans weather has a habit of giving you whiplash.
While today is chilly, the forecast shows a steady climb. Monday stays cool with a high of 55°F, but by the time we hit next Saturday, we're looking at a high of 70°F.
- Sunday (Today): Sunny, High 47°F, Low 36°F.
- Monday: Sunny, High 55°F, Low 36°F.
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, High 53°F, Low 41°F.
- Wednesday: Cloudy with a chance of light rain, High 62°F.
The humidity is also going to ramp up. We're sitting at a dry 36% humidity right now—unusually low for this city—but that's going to spike toward 89% by Thursday as the rain moves in.
Why January is Weird
Most people think "South" means "Warm."
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In New Orleans, January is actually the coldest month. The average high is usually around 62°F, so today's 47°F is definitely on the lower end of the spectrum.
Because we're a humid subtropical climate, the cold feels different here. It’s a "wet cold." When the humidity is high, that 45-degree air feels much more aggressive than a dry 30 degrees in the desert.
The city is basically a giant bowl sitting between Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River. That moisture stays trapped. It lingers.
Actionable Advice for Navigating the Chill
If you're visiting or living here right now, don't just trust the thermometer.
Watch the wind chill. If the northwest wind is blowing over 10 mph, subtract 5 to 10 degrees from whatever your phone tells you.
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The "Cotton is Rotten" Rule. When it’s damp and cold, cotton socks are your enemy. Go for wool or a synthetic blend if you're walking the French Quarter.
Protect the "Three Ps". Locals know the drill: Pets, Plants, and Pipes. With a low of 36°F tonight, it’s not a "hard freeze" (which usually requires 6+ hours below 32°F), but it's close enough that you should bring the sensitive ferns inside and make sure your dogs aren't sleeping on a cold porch.
Check the radar. The second half of this week—starting Wednesday night—brings a 45% chance of rain. Cold rain in New Orleans is a special kind of miserable, so have a waterproof shell ready.
Keep an eye on the temp in New Orleans as the week progresses. You’ll be swapping that heavy coat for a light windbreaker faster than you can finish a cafe au lait.