Weather in New Orleans in May
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Book now, pay at pickup — compare Hertz, Avis, Budget, Sixt and 800+ rental companies for May in New Orleans.
Compare car hire prices → Affiliate link — we earn a commission at no extra cost to youMay in New Orleans is hot, with average highs of 28.4°C and lows of 21.1°C. It is fairly wet (15 rainy days on average), with roughly 11.0 hours of sunshine a day. This is peak season for good reason — conditions are close to ideal. For the complete picture, see the best time to visit New Orleans — every month compared. Once you know when to go, find your New Orleans packing list at 247PackingList.
Get ready for New Orleans in May
Search flights to New Orleans
Compare 100+ airlines for May — one search, best price.
Search Flights →Travel clothing layers
Pack layers — temperatures can vary significantly between day and night.
Check Price →What to pack for New Orleans in May
- Light layers
- Sunscreen
- T-shirts and light trousers or shorts
- Compact travel umbrella
- Waterproof jacket
- Quick-dry clothing
Compare all months in New Orleans
| Month | High | Rain | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17.1°C | 85.4mm | 10/10 |
| February | 18.6°C | 114.3mm | 9/10 |
| March | 22.9°C | 126.2mm | 9/10 |
| April | 24.7°C | 129.7mm | 9/10 |
| May | 28.4°C | 130.2mm | 9/10 |
| June | 30.8°C | 210.1mm | 8/10 |
| July | 31.0°C | 231.5mm | 8/10 |
| August | 31.6°C | 229.1mm | 8/10 |
| September | 29.2°C | 159.8mm | 9/10 |
| October | 25.8°C | 87.7mm | 10/10 |
| November | 20.6°C | 100.0mm | 10/10 |
| December | 18.5°C | 130.7mm | 9/10 |
Full month-by-month guide: best time to visit New Orleans →
For facts about United States — currency, language and dialling code — see our United States country guide at 247CountryInfo. Travellers also find it useful to keep a New Orleans travel guide to hand. Check clothing sizes in United States before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May a good time to visit New Orleans?
May rates 9/10 for visiting New Orleans — excellent time to visit. Expect average highs of 28.4°C, 130.2mm of rain across the month and about 11.0 hours of daily sunshine.
What is the temperature in New Orleans in May?
In May, New Orleans has average highs of 28.4°C (83.1°F) and average lows of 21.1°C (70.0°F).
Does it rain in New Orleans in May?
Some rain is likely. New Orleans averages 130.2mm across about 15 rainy days in May, so a light waterproof layer is worth packing.
What should I wear in New Orleans in May?
For New Orleans in May (28.4°C highs / 21.1°C lows), pack light layers plus sunscreen, t-shirts and light trousers or shorts, compact travel umbrella.
More essentials for New Orleans in May
Packing cubes
Keep the bag organised whatever the weather — compression cubes for every size.
Check Price →Travel first aid kit
Compact TSA-friendly kit for peace of mind wherever you travel.
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Climate data sourced from Open-Meteo (open source, open data licence). Monthly averages calculated from 2020–2023 historical data. Weather can be unpredictable — always check a live forecast before travelling.