United States New Orleans Weather in April — Climate Guide
April in New Orleans is very-good
New Orleans Weather in April — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 26° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 110mm · 7 days
- Crowds
- Busy
As of 2026, New Orleans in April averages a high of 26°C and low of 17°C with 110mm of rain over about 7 days. Pleasant spring — T-shirt, light cardigan for AC indoors + evening, sneakers. Sunscreen SPF 30+ (UV index 7). Smart casual for Brennan's brunch + Commander's Palace dinner.
April is very-good for New Orleans.
April is the year's #1 festival month — French Quarter Festival (4 days mid-April, free, 800,000 attendees, the locals' favorite) followed by Jazz Fest (last weekend April + first weekend May, 7-day spread, world's biggest jazz festival, ticketed at $90/day).
Weather peaks: 26°C highs, 17°C lows, 8 sunshine hours, 7 rainy days. Outdoor festivals run from 11am-7pm at Fair Grounds Race Course (Jazz Fest) and 5 stages throughout French Quarter (French Quarter Festival). Lawn chairs and folding chairs essential.
Travel score
French Quarter Festival + Jazz Fest — year's festival peak
April Weather at a Glance
April averages 79°F / 26°C highs and 63°F / 17°C lows with 7 rainy days and 110mm of rainfall. Humidity 73%, UV index climbs to 7. Sunshine 8 hours. Conditions ideal for outdoor festivals + Frenchmen Street courtyard jazz + Garden District spring blooms (azaleas, magnolias in peak).
April Travel Advice
French Quarter Festival (mid-April, 4 days, free) — most authentic NOLA experience of the year. Jazz Fest tickets $90/day at Fair Grounds — buy individual day tickets to avoid 7-day commitment. Both festivals: bring folding chairs, sunscreen, cash, water bottle (refilled at venue). Hotels book 4-6 weeks ahead for festival weekends.
Flying In from Overseas
Spring travel peak from US, Canada, UK, Germany, France (Jazz Fest international audience). Direct flights from Toronto $350-550, London $600-900, Frankfurt $700-1,000. Easter holiday week + spring break overlap. Australian autumn shoulder. Limited Asian inbound (no direct service).
April Pricing Trends
Festival weekend pricing: French Quarter 4-star $400-900/night, Garden District B&B $350-650, Ritz-Carlton $700-1,300. Mid-week between festivals -30%. Crawfish boil $25-40 at any French Quarter restaurant ($5-7/lb at boil houses).
New Orleans April Weather Stats
Avg High
26°C
Avg Low
17°C
Rainy Days
7
110mm total
Sunshine
8h
Daily avg
Humidity
73%
moderate
UV Index
7
High
Wind
11 km/h
Gusts 22
Sea Temp
0°C
not swimmable
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
April Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
20 μg/m³
PM10
40 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
28°C
Nighttime
17°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
11 km/h
Max gust 22 km/h
Activities Recommended for April
April Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- French Quarter Festival free (4 days)
- Jazz Fest world's biggest jazz festival
- Best spring weather (26°C, 8 sun hours)
- Crawfish boil season peak
Cons
- Festival weekend hotels +60-100%
- Jazz Fest queue + porta-potty reality
- Pre-summer humidity rising
April Events & Festivals
- **French Quarter Festival (mid-April, free 4-day festival of NOLA culture + food)**
- **Jazz Fest (last weekend April + first weekend May, world's biggest jazz festival)**
- Tennessee Williams tail
New Orleans in April — Full Picture
April is the year's #1 festival month — French Quarter Festival (4 days mid-April, free, 800,000 attendees, the locals' favorite) followed by Jazz Fest (last weekend April + first weekend May, 7-day spread, world's biggest jazz festival, ticketed at $90/day).
Weather peaks: 26°C highs, 17°C lows, 8 sunshine hours, 7 rainy days. Outdoor festivals run from 11am-7pm at Fair Grounds Race Course (Jazz Fest) and 5 stages throughout French Quarter (French Quarter Festival). Lawn chairs and folding chairs essential.
Hotel pricing spikes hard for both festival weekends: French Quarter 4-star $400-700/night during French Quarter Festival, $500-900 during Jazz Fest. Mid-April week between the two festivals is value window.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Pleasant spring — T-shirt, light cardigan for AC indoors + evening, sneakers. Sunscreen SPF 30+ (UV index 7). Smart casual for Brennan's brunch + Commander's Palace dinner.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current25.7°C
17°C
7.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
32.7°C
24.7°C
10.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
27°C
17.7°C
7.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
18°C
9°C
8.7/mo
New Orleans Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17° | 8° | 9d·130mm | 5h | 75% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| February (Best) | 19° | 10° | 8d·130mm | 6h | 75% | 4 | Very busy | Peak |
| March (Best) | 22° | 13° | 8d·130mm | 7h | 73% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| April (Best) | 26° | 17° | 7d·110mm | 8h | 73% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| 29° | 21° | 7d·130mm | 9h | 75% | 8 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 24° | 10d·170mm | 9h | 80% | 9 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 33° | 25° | 11d·170mm | 9h | 81% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 33° | 25° | 11d·160mm | 8h | 81% | 9 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 31° | 23° | 9d·150mm | 8h | 79% | 7 | Quiet | Low season | |
| October (Best) | 28° | 18° | 6d·100mm | 8h | 73% | 6 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| November (Best) | 22° | 12° | 7d·110mm | 7h | 73% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| 18° | 9° | 9d·130mm | 5h | 75% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
New Orleans April Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is April a good time to visit New Orleans?
New Orleans in April is very-good. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in New Orleans in April?
New Orleans April averages a high of 26°C and a low of 17°C.
Does it rain much in New Orleans in April?
New Orleans April averages 110mm of rainfall over about 7 rainy days.
What should I wear in New Orleans in April?
Pleasant spring — T-shirt, light cardigan for AC indoors + evening, sneakers. Sunscreen SPF 30+ (UV index 7). Smart casual for Brennan's brunch + Commander's Palace dinner.
What time are sunrise and sunset in New Orleans in April?
New Orleans April sunrise is 06:35 and sunset is 19:30, with 12h 55min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in New Orleans in April?
New Orleans April air quality (AQI) averages 50, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 20μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in New Orleans in April?
In April, New Orleans is great for French Quarter Festival 4 days, Jazz Fest (last weekend), Crawfish boil at Crab Trap.
Is April peak season in New Orleans?
New Orleans April crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit New Orleans
View Other Months
Planning a April trip to New Orleans?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.