Southwest Louisiana Seasons & Weather
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
What to expect, wear, and eat in every season!
Southwest Louisiana is located in a subtropical climate zone, and with its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, predicting the weather can be challenging. (Accurate meteorologists are like hometown heroes.) Having an umbrella handy for a popup shower is always a good idea. Seasons are interesting in Louisiana's Playground because there is not always a clear "delineation" with the weather, but there is with food - seasons with seasonings for every time of the year!
Spring is also known as "crawfish season" in Southwest Louisiana, so along with bringing your rain gear or sunscreen, bring your appetite for delicious boiled Southwest Louisiana fare! Cooler weather tends to visit during Spring, so be sure to have a light jacket or windbreaker when you travel. From late spring through early fall, Louisiana blue crabs are definitely on the menu! Crabbing is also a family-fun activity that can be experienced along the Creole Nature Trail as well as birding for the spring migration. A few standouts for events are the Live @ the Lakefront Concert Series, This Is Home Fest, and the Spring Art Walk! March-May average temperatures are a high of 78°F (25°C) and a low of 59°F (15°C).
As far as Summer goes, the heat is on - as well as the humidity. This is a great time to work on your tan, but you might want to bring a baseball cap or wide-brim sun hat, especially for exploring local waterways, outdoor attractions, or shelling along Gulf beaches. Again, summer thunderstorms are prevalent in the afternoons, but oftentimes, disappear as soon as they arrive. Bring your umbrella, sunglasses, and a hair clip! Getting out on the lake or local waterways can help you beat the heat as well as spending the day at SPAR Waterpark, diving into a delicious snow cone, or grabbing an ice-cold daiquiri to cool down. Also, check out brews at Crying Eagle and their Summer Concert Series! June - August average temperatures are a high of 91°F (32°C) and a low of 74°F (23°C).
Fall festivals pack the calendar as the cooler temperatures breeze in, and it's also football season! Fall is also the start of "gumbo weather." People crank up their stoves and start cooking gumbo - starting with a roux! October through April is the prime season for oysters too! A few fall festivals to put on your calendar are the Cal-Cam Fair, Chuck Fest, and Smoke & Barrel, and fall is also the best time to see migratory neotropical birds along the Creole Nature Trail! September - November average temperatures are a high of 80°F (26°C) and a low of 60°F (15°C).
The most unpredictable season is Winter in Southwest Louisiana. It can be a "shorts and a T-shirt" holiday, or everyone is bundled up - usually breaking out the warmest coat in the house, which most of the time - is camouflage! This is prime hunting season, and delicious sausage ensues! It's rare for snow to fall, but icy conditions are common occurrences. Shopping events and cultural activities are in abundance as the holiday season approaches. Three of the area’s biggest and most beloved festivals are in January and February, including the Louisiana Fur & Wildlife Festival, the Black Heritage Festival, and the Southwest Louisiana District Livestock Show & Rodeo. As soon as the new year arrives, the Mardi Gras preparations begin! December - March average temperatures are a high of 65°F (17°C) and a low of 46°F (23°C).
