United States New Orleans Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in New Orleans is moderate
New Orleans Weather in January — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 17° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 130mm · 9 days
- Crowds
- Quiet
As of 2026, New Orleans in January averages a high of 17°C and low of 8°C with 130mm of rain over about 9 days. Cool with rain — light wool sweater, jeans or chinos, water-resistant jacket, scarf for evenings. Closed shoes for cobblestone French Quarter walks. Layer for swing between mild afternoons and chilly mornings.
January is moderate for New Orleans.
January is New Orleans' quietest month — Christmas/NYE crowds gone, Mardi Gras not yet peaked, hotels at year's lowest pricing (-30 to -40% off peak). Twelfth Night (January 6) marks the official start of the 6-week Carnival/Mardi Gras parade season, so early parades roll through Uptown and Mid-City on weekends through the month.
Weather is the trade-off: 9 rainy days, mild 17°C highs but 8°C lows that feel colder with 75% humidity off the Mississippi. Daytime is fine for French Quarter walking, Garden District streetcar tours, and WWII Museum (indoor full-day option). Evenings need a real jacket.
Travel score
Year's quietest month + lowest pricing + Carnival season opens Jan 6
January Weather at a Glance
January averages 63°F / 17°C highs and 46°F / 8°C lows with 9 rainy days and 130mm of rain. Humidity holds at 75% (Mississippi River effect). Sunshine drops to 5 hours daily. Cool mornings, mild afternoons. Mardi Gras parade season begins January 6 (Twelfth Night) with the Phunny Phorty Phellows streetcar ride and Joan of Arc Parade.
January Travel Advice
Pack layers + waterproof shoes. Book Commander's Palace + Antoine's 1-2 weeks ahead (easier than Mardi Gras months). Sugar Bowl week (around Jan 1) hotels still high from holiday tail — wait until Jan 5+ for value. Early Carnival parades on Uptown/Mid-City weekends — free + family-friendly.
Flying In from Overseas
Low international visitor period. Direct flights from Toronto $250-400, London $500-800 (via ATL/IAH), Frankfurt $650-1,000 (via IAH). NOLA doesn't have direct intercontinental Asian or Oceanian service — connect via Houston, Atlanta, or Dallas. Western Christmas tail through Jan 5; Asian winter break (China, Korea, Japan) creates a small inbound spike.
January Pricing Trends
Year's lowest pricing: French Quarter 4-star $140-260/night (vs $400-800 Mardi Gras), Garden District B&B $180-300, Ritz-Carlton $300-550. Hotel Monteleone Carousel Bar weeknight $200-350. Beignets at Café du Monde steady $5-8 year-round.
New Orleans January Weather Stats
Avg High
17°C
Avg Low
8°C
Rainy Days
9
130mm total
Sunshine
5h
Daily avg
Humidity
75%
moderate
UV Index
3
Moderate
Wind
11 km/h
Gusts 22
Sea Temp
0°C
not swimmable
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
20 μg/m³
PM10
40 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
17°C
Nighttime
6°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
11 km/h
Max gust 22 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Year's lowest hotel pricing (-30-40%)
- Early Mardi Gras parades on weekends
- Sugar Bowl + college bowl games
- Commander's Palace reservations easier
Cons
- Rainiest tail of winter (9 rainy days)
- Cool evenings (8°C lows)
- Some restaurants closed early-January for staff break
January Events & Festivals
- Sugar Bowl college football (Jan 1, Caesars Superdome)
- Joan of Arc Parade (Jan 6, French Quarter — start of Carnival season)
- Mardi Gras season begins (Twelfth Night Jan 6)
New Orleans in January — Full Picture
January is New Orleans' quietest month — Christmas/NYE crowds gone, Mardi Gras not yet peaked, hotels at year's lowest pricing (-30 to -40% off peak). Twelfth Night (January 6) marks the official start of the 6-week Carnival/Mardi Gras parade season, so early parades roll through Uptown and Mid-City on weekends through the month.
Weather is the trade-off: 9 rainy days, mild 17°C highs but 8°C lows that feel colder with 75% humidity off the Mississippi. Daytime is fine for French Quarter walking, Garden District streetcar tours, and WWII Museum (indoor full-day option). Evenings need a real jacket.
Good month for honeymoon couples wanting French Quarter without Bourbon Street chaos. Hotel Monteleone Carousel Bar, Brennan's breakfast, Commander's Palace 25¢ martini lunch, and Preservation Hall jazz all operating at half the Mardi Gras crush.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cool with rain — light wool sweater, jeans or chinos, water-resistant jacket, scarf for evenings. Closed shoes for cobblestone French Quarter walks. Layer for swing between mild afternoons and chilly mornings.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
25.7°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)
Current18°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 January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit New Orleans?
New Orleans in January is moderate. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in New Orleans in January?
New Orleans January averages a high of 17°C and a low of 8°C.
Does it rain much in New Orleans in January?
New Orleans January averages 130mm of rainfall over about 9 rainy days.
What should I wear in New Orleans in January?
Cool with rain — light wool sweater, jeans or chinos, water-resistant jacket, scarf for evenings. Closed shoes for cobblestone French Quarter walks. Layer for swing between mild afternoons and chilly mornings.
What time are sunrise and sunset in New Orleans in January?
New Orleans January sunrise is 07:00 and sunset is 17:25, with 10h 25min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in New Orleans in January?
New Orleans January air quality (AQI) averages 50, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 20μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in New Orleans in January?
In January, New Orleans is great for French Quarter walking, WWII Museum full day, Preservation Hall jazz.
Is January peak season in New Orleans?
New Orleans January crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit New Orleans
View Other Months
Planning a January 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.