New Orleans

New Orleans has long seduced with its Caribbean colour, sultry Southern heat, sweet-tasting cocktails and voodoo potions. The unofficial state motto, laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll), pretty much says it all. Then in August 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck, toppling levees, flooding much of the city and drastically changing everything.

New Orleans Weather

The Gulf of Mexico provides New Orleans with plenty of moisture - the city receives about 150cm (60in) of rainfall annually and no season is immune from it. In March, April and May the weather is quite variable, with plenty of rain; but spring has sunny, mild days that are perfect for the festivals. Summer is hot, sticky and steamy, often with thundershowers. September and October days are the most likely to offer clear, temperate weather. Winter temperatures average a comfortable 12°C (54°F), yet occasional drops in temperature, combined with the damp atmosphere, can chill you to the bone. Snow is rare but December's short days, fog and rain conspire to allow only a few hours of daily sunshine.

Month	Temp (°C)	Rainfall (mm)	Humidity (%)	Sunshine (hours)
Jan	8 - 17	117		5
Feb	10 - 18	107		6
Mar	13 - 22	119		7
Apr	16 - 25	122		8
May	20 - 28	114		9
Jun	23 - 31	140		9
Jul	24 - 32	168		8
Aug	24 - 32	147		8
Sep	23 - 30	122		8
Oct	18 - 26	89		8
Nov	13 - 21	97		6
Dec	9 - 18	117		5