Today's barometric pressure in New Orleans, a 48-hour pressure chart, and a risk score for weather-triggered migraine and headache, based on pressure drops, humidity, and temperature changes.
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New Orleans' near-sea-level elevation and Gulf proximity mean the city is highly responsive to tropical weather patterns. Humidity regularly exceeds 90%, and the subtropical climate produces frequent thunderstorms with accompanying pressure fluctuations.
Worst season for migraines: January. Cool-season fronts pushing down to the Gulf coast supply nearly all of the year's measurable pressure movement. Once summer arrives the pattern flattens into months of heat and humidity broken only by afternoon convection.
Common triggers in New Orleans: hurricane season pressure collapse, near-permanent humidity above 75 percent, daily afternoon convection off the Gulf. Sitting at or below sea level between the river and Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans is surrounded by water on nearly every side, which keeps humidity high year-round and the daily temperature range narrow. Ordinary weather barely moves the barometer here, so the city's defining barometric events are tropical: an approaching hurricane can drop pressure further in a day than the whole rest of the year combined.
Typical pressure: New Orleans averages 1015 hPa at rest, measured at the city's own elevation rather than corrected to sea level, and storm systems can push readings down to 1005 hPa. Swings of 3-9 hPa over 24 hours are common during active weather and fall within the range most associated with pressure-triggered migraines.
2026 index: New Orleans ranks #89 of 100 in our 2026 U.S. Migraine Risk Index, where #1 is the most challenging city for weather-driven migraine.
Can New Orleans weather trigger migraines?
Yes. New Orleans experiences 3-9 hPa barometric pressure swings, and research shows pressure drops are one of the most common migraine triggers. The city's specific patterns include hurricane season pressure collapse, near-permanent humidity above 75 percent, daily afternoon convection off the Gulf.
What time of year are migraines worst in New Orleans?
In New Orleans the most barometrically volatile stretch of the year falls in January. That is when weather is most likely to play a part, if weather is a trigger for you at all. See when migraine weather season starts across the U.S.
Is there a barometric pressure headache forecast for New Orleans?
This page works as one. Many people call a headache that arrives with a weather change a barometric pressure headache, and this forecast tracks the pressure drops, humidity and temperature swings behind that idea. The score covers the next 24 hours in New Orleans and the chart shows the next 48. It is built on migraine research, so treat it as a rough guide for other headaches. A sudden, severe headache needs urgent medical care, whatever the weather.
Your own forecast
This page shows the weather risk for everyone in New Orleans. The MigrAid app learns yours. It saves the barometric pressure, humidity and temperature with every migraine you log, shows whether New Orleans's swings really line up with your attacks, and alerts you when conditions match your own trigger history.