With the 2025-26 winter season officially over, southwest Louisiana saw the dry, warm trends of recent years continue.
Climate information and historical data from the National Weather Service Lake Charles show that what the region saw this winter aligns with the warming trend the area has seen in recent years, according to Meteorologist Chanelle Stigger.
“We are seeing a steady rise in both daytime highs and overnight lows, coupled with a slight downward trend in overall precipitation for winter,” Stigger said. “Essentially, our ‘baseline’ for winter is shifting toward warmer and drier conditions than what was considered normal a few decades ago.”
Stigger said that the meteorological winter starts Dec. 1 and ends on Feb. 28.
In December 2025, the National Weather Service in Lake Charles reported that Lake Charles had average maximum temperatures of 66.9 degrees, while the normal maximum temperatures for the month are between 62 and 65 degrees. Average minimum temperatures this year were 46.3 degrees, a little bit higher than normal minimum temperatures of 43 to 46 degrees.
As for the December rainfall, 3.34 inches were recorded in 2025. The normal rainfall amounts for the month are 4 to 5 inches.
Stigger said January and February were similar.
In January, the average maximum temperature in Lake Charles was 62.9 degrees, just slightly above the average of 59 to 62 degrees. The average minimum temperature throughout the month was 41.6 degrees, which falls within the normal range of 40 to 43 degrees.
The rainfall recorded in January was 4.79 inches, which is close to the normal rainfall amounts for the month of 5 to 6 inches.
Throughout February, the recorded average maximum temperature was 72.1 degrees, which is roughly 10 degrees above the average of 62 to 65 degrees. The average minimum temperature for Lake Charles was 50 degrees, several degrees above the normal range of 43 to 46 degrees.
With the area seeing drought conditions during February, Lake Charles only received 1.12 inches of rain, while the normal rainfall amounts for the month are 4 to 5 inches.
Throughout the winter, Lake Charles saw multiple days where the temperatures either made or tied the record for the highest recorded temperature on that specific date.
For example, the National Weather Service’s record report shows that on Dec. 23 and 24, the high temperature was 79 degrees, tying the old record set in 1921.
In addition, some other examples are that on Jan. 8 and 9, the Lake Charles area saw temperatures as high as 81 degrees, beating the previous record of 79 degrees for both dates from 1937.
However, the cause of the new trend of dry, warm winters isn’t entirely clear.
“There are many factors that can cause changes in seasonal climates,” Stigger said. “Right off the top, I would presume that (El Niño–Southern Oscillation) played a role.”
