Lafayette, Louisiana Weather
Fireflies pulse through the magnolias. Day 77 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
Lafayette weather forecast — hour by hour, 7-day outlook, NOAA radar
- TodayJun 3Rain63%0.33″84°72°—
- ThursdayJun 4Light Drizzle50%0.02″85°72°+1°
- FridayJun 5Drizzle76%—87°69°+2°
- SaturdayJun 6Drizzle53%—86°73°-1°
- SundayJun 7Heavy Drizzle22%—87°74°+1°
- MondayJun 8Overcast16%—88°74°+1°
- TuesdayJun 9Overcast33%—90°73°+2°
PM2.5 at 6.2 µg/m³ (AQI 34) with a 0.91 fine-to-coarse ratio and 6 mph wind — combustion smoke trapped in calm air, not road dust. AQI flat over the last 6 hours (within ±3 points).
OK No precautions needed for the general population; unusually sensitive individuals may consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion during the projected peak around 6 AM.
What's driving it
Ozone × UV × Sky
Ozone at AQI 32. Overcast through the UV peak window (cloud cover ~80%) — afternoon ozone should stay flat.
- Present
- AQI 32
- UV peak
- 0.0 at 1 PM
- Sky at peak
- overcast
- Projected peak
- AQI 4
PM × Wind × Precip
PM2.5 at 6.2 µg/m³ (AQI 34) with a 0.91 fine-to-coarse ratio and 6 mph wind — combustion smoke trapped in calm air, not road dust.
- PM2.5/PM10
- 0.91
- Wind
- light
- Recent rain
- 0h in last 6h
- Pattern
- stagnant smoke
Trends
Seven days of AQI and PM2.5.
Hourly air-quality data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, charted across the past and next several days. Dashed lines mark the AQI breakpoints at 50 (Good → Moderate) and 100 (Moderate → Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).
A summer fog for fair, a winter fog for rain.
- Moonrise
- 4:09 AM
- Moonset
- 2:37 PM
- In sign
- ♑︎ Capricorn
Fireflies pulse through the magnolias
Lafayette at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 11°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: February 16 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: Jun 1–5
- Planting window: Harvest spring lettuce before it bolts. Sow heat-tolerant greens.
Right now in the garden
Peak growing season
As of June 4, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
SPC Convective Outlook
Storm Prediction Center — Lafayette
SPC has placed Lafayette in the General Thunderstorms category for severe thunderstorms today.
- TODAYTSTMGeneral Thunderstorms
- TOMORROWTSTMGeneral Thunderstorms
- DAY 3TSTMGeneral Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms possible. Not severe, but capable of producing lightning and brief heavy rain.
Source: NOAA / NWS Storm Prediction Center categorical convective outlook. Outlooks are re-issued multiple times per day; this page reflects the most recent SPC polygons covering the city’s coordinates.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
August brings Lafayette's warmest temperatures (~82°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~51°F). Rainfall reaches its peak in June (7.0 inches) and drops to its lowest point in March (3.8 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51° | 6.1″ | 7 |
| February | 55° | 4.5″ | 6 |
| March | 62° | 3.8″ | 5 |
| April | 68° | 5.5″ | 5 |
| May | 75° | 4.9″ | 6 |
| June | 81° | 7.0″ | 9 |
| July | 82° | 6.3″ | 10 |
| August | 82° | 6.5″ | 8 |
| September | 78° | 5.2″ | 6 |
| October | 70° | 5.0″ | 5 |
| November | 60° | 4.8″ | 6 |
| December | 53° | 5.2″ | 6 |
Regional context
Lafayette falls within a humid subtropical climate region — part of a group that experiences similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: New Orleans, LA, Baton Rouge, LA, Shreveport, LA, Lake Charles, LA, Metairie, LA.
Naturalist notes
Late spring brings the return of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to Lafayette's gardens and woodlands.
Southern Magnolia trees begin their spectacular blooming period, filling the air with their distinctive fragrance.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Lafayette?
- Lafayette's last spring frost typically falls around mid-March, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Lafayette?
- June is the wettest month with about 7.0 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 65 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Lafayette?
- August is typically warmest, averaging about 82°F.
- What is the coldest month in Lafayette?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 51°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Lafayette?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-March); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Lafayette get?
- Lafayette averages about 78 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Lafayette?
- Lafayette's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Lafayette, Louisiana experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. January temperatures hover near 51°F while July averages 82°F — a 31°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Lafayette receives about 65 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 78 rainy days.
Latitude (30.2°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation determine the rhythm of the year — shaping what grows here, when frost is likely, and the daily weather patterns.