United States New Orleans Weather in May — Climate Guide
May in New Orleans is good
New Orleans Weather in May — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 29° / 21°
- Rainfall
- 130mm · 7 days
- Crowds
- Moderate
As of 2026, New Orleans in May averages a high of 29°C and low of 21°C with 130mm of rain over about 7 days. Hot start — T-shirt + shorts, light cardigan only for AC indoors, sneakers, sunscreen SPF 30-50. Linen for breathability. Hat + sunglasses (UV index 8).
May is good for New Orleans.
May is the heat-and-humidity transition month. Jazz Fest closes its first weekend (May 2-4) with the biggest names on the lineup, then the festival season winds down. Hotels drop -30% from April Jazz Fest peak. Humidity climbs to 75%, daily highs hit 29°C, and thunderstorm afternoons become more common (7 rainy days but heavier individual storms).
Good value-for-quality month if you can handle the heat. Mid-week pricing is excellent (French Quarter 4-star $180-280). Garden District streetcar tours best in mornings (cooler). WWII Museum + Mardi Gras World + Audubon Aquarium are AC indoor full-day options for hot afternoons.
Travel score
Heat transition + Jazz Fest closing weekend + value window
May Weather at a Glance
May averages 84°F / 29°C highs and 70°F / 21°C lows with 7 rainy days and 130mm of rainfall. Humidity climbs to 75% (Mississippi River effect). UV index 8 (high). Sunshine 9 hours. Thunderstorm afternoons reliable 14:00-17:00 in second half of month.
May Travel Advice
Jazz Fest first weekend (May 2-4) sells out 2-3 months ahead — book accommodation early or skip those days. Bayou Boogaloo (mid-May, free, Mid-City) is the value alternative. Schedule outdoor activities for mornings (9:00-12:00); afternoons for AC museums. Heat acclimatization important for European visitors.
Flying In from Overseas
European Jazz Fest crowd peaks first weekend; Asian + Australian outbound shoulder. Direct flights from Toronto $300-500, London $500-800. Korean + Japanese spring break ended. Memorial Day weekend (last weekend May) drives domestic US travel spike.
May Pricing Trends
Shoulder pricing returns: French Quarter 4-star $180-340/night (vs $400-900 Jazz Fest weekend), Garden District B&B $200-380, Ritz-Carlton $300-600. Crawfish $4-6/lb at boil houses (last full month of season).
New Orleans May Weather Stats
Avg High
29°C
Avg Low
21°C
Rainy Days
7
130mm total
Sunshine
9h
Daily avg
Humidity
75%
humid
UV Index
8
Very high
Wind
10 km/h
Gusts 20
Sea Temp
0°C
not swimmable
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
May Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
20 μg/m³
PM10
40 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
32°C
Nighttime
21°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
10 km/h
Max gust 20 km/h
Activities Recommended for May
May Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Jazz Fest first weekend
- Hotels -30% off April peak
- Bayou Boogaloo free festival
- Pool weather starting
Cons
- Humidity climbing (75%)
- Thunderstorm afternoons common
- 29°C feels like 32°C with humidity
May Events & Festivals
- Jazz Fest first weekend (overlaps from April)
- Greek Festival (late May, Mid-City)
- Bayou Boogaloo (Mid-City, Bayou St. John)
New Orleans in May — Full Picture
May is the heat-and-humidity transition month. Jazz Fest closes its first weekend (May 2-4) with the biggest names on the lineup, then the festival season winds down. Hotels drop -30% from April Jazz Fest peak. Humidity climbs to 75%, daily highs hit 29°C, and thunderstorm afternoons become more common (7 rainy days but heavier individual storms).
Good value-for-quality month if you can handle the heat. Mid-week pricing is excellent (French Quarter 4-star $180-280). Garden District streetcar tours best in mornings (cooler). WWII Museum + Mardi Gras World + Audubon Aquarium are AC indoor full-day options for hot afternoons.
Bayou Boogaloo (free 3-day festival mid-May at Bayou St. John, Mid-City) is the locals' alternative to Jazz Fest — laid-back, family-friendly, free.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Hot start — T-shirt + shorts, light cardigan only for AC indoors, sneakers, sunscreen SPF 30-50. Linen for breathability. Hat + sunglasses (UV index 8).
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current25.7°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)
18°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 May Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May a good time to visit New Orleans?
New Orleans in May is good. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in New Orleans in May?
New Orleans May averages a high of 29°C and a low of 21°C.
Does it rain much in New Orleans in May?
New Orleans May averages 130mm of rainfall over about 7 rainy days.
What should I wear in New Orleans in May?
Hot start — T-shirt + shorts, light cardigan only for AC indoors, sneakers, sunscreen SPF 30-50. Linen for breathability. Hat + sunglasses (UV index 8).
What time are sunrise and sunset in New Orleans in May?
New Orleans May sunrise is 06:00 and sunset is 19:50, with 13h 50min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in New Orleans in May?
New Orleans May air quality (AQI) averages 50, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 20μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in New Orleans in May?
In May, New Orleans is great for Jazz Fest closing weekend, Bayou Boogaloo (free), WWII Museum AC indoor.
Is May peak season in New Orleans?
New Orleans May crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit New Orleans
View Other Months
Planning a May trip to New Orleans?
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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.