Seasons in Louisiana
Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Louisiana. The weather is warm and sunny in spring, the flora is in full bloom and the fauna in full activity. The warmth becomes pleasant again for tourism in autumn, when the vegetation is lush and the wildlife very active. Autumn is also the alligator hunting season.
Summer is very demanding (up to 35°C in the shade, but feeling much hotter) and often very humid (80-90% humidity in the air). Showers can be frequent, creating an abundance of mosquitoes. You can feel these showers coming on when the air becomes even more humid and hot, and the wind picks up. You might even think the air is about to "cool off". If you've been waiting impatiently for rain, thinking it'll be cooler, you're in for a long wait. Perfect for the vegetation, which remains bright green and is growing fast, almost visibly.
August also marks the big date with violent thunderstorms and hurricane season (from June to November, but hurricanes generally appear from August onwards). It's not uncommon to see roads quickly covered by several centimetres of water.
Winter is not the ideal time of year, as the flora and fauna are not visible. You may come across a few coypu in the marshes, and many sites will be closed. On the other hand, it's a great time to discover the crazy Christmas decorations and party in New Orleans.
As for temperature records, the highest was recorded in Plain Dealing on August 10, 1936 at 46°C (114°F) and the lowest in Minden at -27°C (-16°F) on February 13, 1899.
What is the humidex?
In Louisiana, if you check the weather news or an app like MétéoMédia, you'll see that there are always two temperatures: actual and felt. But what is this famous "felt temperature"? It's actually a sensation rather than a measurable datum. It takes into account two factors: wind chill (FRE) in winter, which does not apply to Louisiana, and humidex in summer.
Humidex takes into account the level of humidity in the air, and is used to measure the level of discomfort and risk to the body.
In the near future, however, these two indices may be replaced by the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). This does not combine temperature with any other factor, but rather integrates four: temperature, air humidity, wind speed and sunshine, i.e. the amount of solar radiation received.
When nature goes wild
The most devastating hurricane in history, Katrina, struck between Louisiana and Mississippi on August 29, 2005. A terrible trauma for New Orleans, which took a long time to recover from the greatest natural disaster in its history. Then, on September1, 2008, Gustav became a tropical storm after ravaging and flooding southern Louisiana. On a completely different scale, on February 6, 2017, a tornado ripped through New Orleans and the surrounding area, injuring a dozen people and causing extensive property damage. In July 2019, Barry, once a hurricane, then a tropical storm, caused major flooding in Louisiana. More recent examples include Hurricane Laura (August 2020), a monster that struck southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas, and Ida (August 2021), the most powerful hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana with winds of 240 km/h, 16 years to the day after Katrina. The latest hurricane, Beryl, arrived in Louisiana on July 8, 2024, leaving 20,000 people without power. It was one of the earliest hurricanes in history. And these are just a few examples...
A few tips. It's important to be prepared in case of a hurricane. If you're just passing through, don't waste any time and head for your next destination, or cut short your stay. If you contact your airline, you may be able to bring forward your departure at no cost if the area you're in has been declared " mandatory evacuation ".
During hurricane season, authorities advise residents to draw up a list of everything they'll need in case a tropical storm, hurricane or evacuation order hits the area. This list should include non-perishable food, bottled water, a first-aid kit, tools, a flashlight (and batteries if necessary) and matches. If a hurricane threatens the area, as the water pipes may be contaminated or simply not working, fill the bathtub, jugs, buckets and gallons with water (count on one gallon, or about 4 liters of water per person per day). Don't delay in buying what you need, as supermarkets are often empty of everything you'd hoped to find. For more information: cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/before.html
If you're near the Gulf coast, on a bayou or lake, scout out evacuation routes ahead of time. Don't leave at the last minute. Even if you're near hurricane levees, it's a good idea to have an evacuation plan in place. Water can sometimes flow over the levees.
If you decide not to evacuate, be aware that the high winds of storms and hurricanes can also cause incredible damage. The best way to stay safe from destructive winds and tornadoes is to choose a small room in the center of the building, on the lowest floor. In this situation, carry water, a flashlight and batteries, an axe or something to break any object that might prevent you from getting out. In the event of flooding, on the other hand, it's best to evacuate completely, as the lowest levels, especially cellars (which are very rare in Louisiana, by the way, because of the water-soaked soils), will be immediately inundated. Once the water has entered, it can rise without limit. In fact, during Katrina, some people found themselves trapped by rising water in attics.
