Pool season · State index
Louisiana Pool Season 2026: Opening & Closing Dates by City
Last updated: July 25, 2026 · 13 cities covered
Both halves of the pool year for all 13 covered Louisiana cities. The median calendar runs March 3 to November 19. Every row links to a one-page season overview with the live water-temperature model; the opening and closing hubs carry the full checklists.
Louisiana: a long-season pool state| City | Open by | Close by | 80°F+ days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | Mar 10 | Nov 13 | 163 |
| Baton Rouge | Mar 5 | Nov 16 | 173 |
| Hammond | Mar 7 | Nov 12 | 175 |
| Houma | Feb 17 | Nov 28 | 181 |
| Kenner | Feb 16 | Nov 30 | 179 |
| Lafayette | Feb 28 | Nov 20 | 179 |
| Lake Charles | Feb 20 | Nov 26 | 184 |
| Mandeville | Mar 4 | Nov 11 | 171 |
| Metairie | Feb 16 | Nov 30 | 179 |
| Monroe | Mar 14 | Nov 8 | 167 |
| New Orleans | Feb 15 | Dec 2 | 171 |
| Shreveport | Mar 10 | Nov 11 | 170 |
| Slidell | Mar 3 | Nov 19 | 164 |
What the columns mean
"Open by" is the recommended spring date — two weeks before the city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F, the model's proxy for water approaching the 65°F algae-growth zone. "Close by" is the fall deadline — ten days after the water leaves that zone, capped a week ahead of the local 50% first-freeze date. "80°F+ days" counts days whose normal high reaches 80°F: the length of the true warm-swim season, and the fairest single number for comparing Louisiana cities against each other.
Every figure comes from each city's own NOAA 1991–2020 normals station (named in its guide's footer), so neighboring cities can legitimately differ by a few days. The season overview linked from each row adds the live water-temperature model and the full-year season bar; the state hubs above carry the step-by-step checklists.
Swim-season length across Louisiana
The fairest way to compare Louisiana cities is the number of days with 80°F+ normal highs — the practical warm-swim season. Every bar links to that city's one-page season overview with the live water model.
Louisiana pool climate at a glance
Steamy Gulf humidity gives Louisiana one of the longest seasons outside Florida, though peak hurricane season makes late-summer storm preparation part of routine pool care. In model terms that makes Louisiana a long-season state. The spread shows up clearly on the local pages: compare Lake Charles's pool season with Baton Rouge's and the difference is measured in weeks, not days. Neighbors in the index run on their own normals too — see Kentucky and Maine for the adjacent calendars.
Louisiana pool season FAQ
When do pools open in Louisiana?
Model openings in Louisiana run from February 15 in New Orleans to March 14 in Monroe, with the statewide median on March 3. Each date is two weeks before that city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F — early enough to start up in algae-cold water.
When should you close a pool in Louisiana?
The median Louisiana closing deadline is November 19, and every city's own deadline is capped a week ahead of its NOAA 50% first-freeze date. Closing late and cold beats closing early and warm — cool water holds its winter chemistry far better.
Which Louisiana city has the longest swim season?
Lake Charles leads with 184 days of 80°F+ highs per year, while Alexandria brings up the rear at 163 days. The chart above ranks every covered city by the same metric.