New Orleans · SpringMonth summary
New Orleans weather in May
✅ Good
🌡️ Temperature min / max
72°F – 84°F
🌧 Rainy days
45% of days
☀️ Sunshine
12.7h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Spring
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
7.9/10
📅 📅 Best month
October (8.3/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit New Orleans in May?
✅ Good
✅ Yes if: you want shoulder-season value — fewer crowds, 29°F.
❌ No if: you need maximum sunshine — some overcast days are possible.
Our take: Favourable conditions in May (7.9/10). October scores higher but the gap is small.
By trip type
New Orleans in May by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ✅ Good
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ✅ Good
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : ✅ Good
- 💰 💰 Budget : 💸 Peak season
Local context
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in New Orleans. Temperatures rise (29°F) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Expect rain on 45% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if October (8.3/10) remains theoretically better.
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All months for New Orleans
Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °F | Max °F | Rain % | Precip in | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⛅ January | 46°F | 61°F | 36% | 0.1in | 8.9h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌤️ February | 52°F | 68°F | 41% | 0.2in | 9.5h | 7.1/10 |
| 🌤️ March | 59°F | 73°F | 38% | 0.2in | 10.7h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ April | 64°F | 77°F | 37% | 0.1in | 11.8h | 7.9/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 72°F | 84°F | 45% | 0.2in | 12.7h | 7.9/10 |
| ⛅ June | 75°F | 86°F | 62% | 0.3in | 12.9h | 7.4/10 |
| ⛅ July | 77°F | 88°F | 73% | 0.3in | 12.0h | 7.1/10 |
| ⛅ August | 79°F | 88°F | 67% | 0.3in | 11.6h | 7.1/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 75°F | 86°F | 48% | 0.2in | 11.8h | 7.5/10 |
| 🌤️ October | 68°F | 81°F | 28% | 0.1in | 10.8h | 8.3/10 |
| 🌤️ November | 57°F | 72°F | 31% | 0.1in | 9.9h | 7.6/10 |
| ⛅ December | 52°F | 64°F | 36% | 0.2in | 8.5h | 7.0/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In May, New Orleans averages 84°F, 45% rainy days and 12.7h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 7.9/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
May vs October (best month)
The best month is October (score 8.3/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : -2°F
- 🌧 Rainy days : -17%
- ☀️ Sunshine : -1.9h/day
FAQ
FAQ — New Orleans in May
Is May a good time to visit New Orleans?
May is an excellent time to visit New Orleans (score 7.9/10). With 84°F, 12.7h of sunshine and 45% rain, conditions are very favourable.
What to do in New Orleans in May?
With 84°F max and 12.7h of sunshine, focus on cultural sites, museums and local gastronomy.
Accommodation
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Activities & tours
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