New Orleans Weather in December 2026: what to expect (4.5/10)

The month in detail

What to expect in December

In December, New Orleans sees 18.0°C during the day with 5.1h of sunshine per day. Expect rain on 36.0% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.

December ranks 11 out of 12 months in New Orleans. Compared to November: −4°C daytime, 5 pts more rainy days, −0.6h of sun per day.

This month's conditions

What it's like in December

UV index

4 · moderate

protect during midday hours

Feels like

comfortable

11°

Daylight

10.1h of daylight

Air quality

good

AQI 27

Compare

Is December the right month?

The best month in New Orleans is October (8.4/10), 3.9 pts higher than December.

See October →See all 12 months →

Context

Our verdict

New Orleans is one of the most singular American cities: French/Spanish/African/Creole heritage, jazz born here (Louis Armstrong), Cajun cuisine, Mardi Gras. October is my favourite month (8.6/10): 20-27°C, 28% rain, end of the stifling heat, festivals (Voodoo Festival late October).

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

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Stay

Hotels & rentals · New Orleans

Expedia →

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Activities

Tours, tickets, experiences

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Flights

Multi-airline comparator

Kiwi →

🎟️ Activities & tours · New Orleans

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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Affiliate link · GetYourGuide

Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach holiday.

Country · USA

🗣️LanguageEnglish

💶CurrencyUS Dollar ($)

🚗DrivingRight-hand

🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5

💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic

📈Climate trend ⓘStable

🔥Hottest monthJuly · 31°C

❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 16°C

🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJuly · 73%

🏖️ Beach holiday

📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept

🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée

Explore

Other destinations in December

If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate

CharlestonUnited States

SavannahUnited States

NagasakiJapan

ShanghaiChina

SuzhouChina

Nearby

MemphisUnited States578 km

AustinUnited States738 km

NashvilleUnited States755 km

San AntonioUnited States815 km

Other top picks

🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map

Location

Where is New Orleans ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World

🔍 Geographic context

USA

Temperate oceanic climate with a 8.4 → 4.4 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.

29.95°N · 90.07°W

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit New Orleans?

October is the best month with 27.0°C highs, 20.0°C lows, 7.8h of sunshine and 28.0% rainy days. The months of October & April offer comparable conditions.

How many hours of sunshine does New Orleans get in October?

New Orleans averages 7.8 sunshine hours per day in October. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.9/10.

What is the rainiest month in New Orleans?

January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.

What are the temperatures at night in New Orleans in October?

In October, overnight lows reach 20.0°C, while afternoon highs average 27.0°C.

Is New Orleans good in winter?

In winter (December-February), New Orleans scores 5.1/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains October with a score of 7.9/10.

When should you avoid New Orleans?

January is the most difficult month to visit New Orleans, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.

Do you need sun protection in New Orleans in December?

The average UV index reaches 4 in December in New Orleans (moderate), with about 10.1h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.