even if it s really cold unless your going to be on the top of a building for New years eve you probably won t need the heavy coat.bring the scarf and gloves just in case.if you ll be walking around the French Quarter don t wear your most expensive shoes.
I have to say yours is a difficult question to answer. Winter weather here is feast and famine. We can find ourselves using the air conditioner in the morning and later that evening can be using the heater. I ve had visitors from a notoriously cold country talk about how cold it is was here when they visited. The wind combined with 80% humidity and cold weather will cut you to the bone. Those same visitors a week later were sun bathing in the back yard in 60 degree weather, (we all thought they were nuts). In general I d say that it s going to be cold, but I can t promise you it will be cold. I d say your best bet would be to layer your clothes, bring a scarf, a pair of gloves, and I m not sure what the light coat v the heavy coat would be, but a wool pea coat or lined trench coat combined with layered clothing should get you through. Then there is always the option of a hot toddy or irish coffee break somewhere before you go back out. : )
Things can change over night. It can be high 50 s and then over night turn to the 30 s I would bring a light coat and gloves to be safe. I wear my light north face when it gets cold here. Your best bet is to check the weather when you are packing. There has been new years eve when a nice tank top and pants were fine and some when it has very very cold. I never wore scarves here. Gets to hot.Check the weather before you come. That is the best you can do.
Jude s got it. I work with a guy from Michigan, lives here now. He always bichez about how cold it is. That is due to the fact that it is a wet cold. That moisture in the air adds to the affect. Layer it up, thin gloves, light scarf. Maybe a wind breaker type jacket or something with Gore Tex to ward off the moist wind. Remember, for the game you re going to be in the dome so you want to choose somehting you could take off and tie around your waist so you won t burn up.
Take the advice from Jude. Pack for highs in the upper 50s and lows around 40. Check the forecast the day before you leave home and make any needed packing adjustments.