Climate - Aix En Provence (France)

The climate of Aix-en-Provence is generally mild, and can be defined as transitional Mediterranean, with relatively mild winters and hot, sunny summers.
The city is located in southern France, about 20 km (12 mi) north of the port of Marseille.
The climate is similar to that of Marseille, but due to the greater distance from the sea, it is slightly colder at night, and sometimes a little warmer during the day.
We are in the area of the Rhone river mouth, where the Mistral, the cold, dry north wind, often blows (even though it is not as strong as in Marseille because to the north, there are hills that partially block it). In summer, it is the hottest area of France, where the temperature can reach and exceed 35 °C (95 °F).
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 6 °C (43 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 23 °C (73.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 585 millimeters (23 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 15 mm (0.6 in) in the driest month (July) to 85 mm (3.3 in) in the wettest (September). The rains are rare, but every now and then, especially in September and October, they can be very strong and concentrated in time. Here is the average precipitation.

The winter is quite mild, with some rainy days and some sunny days.
The mistral blows quite often, increasing the feeling of cold, although generally the temperature is not very low because the air mass comes from the North Atlantic.
But sometimes there can be periods of intense cold, when cold air arrives from Russia or the Arctic regions. Snow is rare, but once every few years on average, there is a fairly heavy snowfall.
Even in these cases, it is rare for the temperature to drop to very low values, but sometimes it can happen. Very rarely, and only in the coldest winters, the temperature drops below -10 °C (14 °F). The coldest record is -20 °C (-4 °F), recorded in February 1956. More recently, it reached -16 °C (3 °F) in January 1985. In recent years, it dropped to -13 °C (8.5 °F) in February 2012.
The summer is hot and sunny, with some rare thunderstorms.
The Mistral blows less often than in other seasons, and even when it does, it is not necessarily particularly cool.
On the hottest days of the year, it can reach 36/37 °C (97/99 °F), and more rarely, higher values (even 40 °C or 104 °F). The highest record is 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) and was set in late June 2019.



On average, there are around 2,860 sunshine hours per year: the city, like in general the south of France, is very sunny. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature in the Gulf of Lion is never very high, because the sea is cooled by the north winds that blow for many months a year, and reaches at most 21/22 °C (70/72 °F) from July in September. Here are the average sea temperatures near Marseille.

Best Time

The best time to visit Aix-en-Provence is spring, from mid-April to mid-June. September is also a good month, but sometimes it can rain a lot, especially in the second half of the month. Summer, from mid-June to August, can be hot, even though it's the best time for those who also want to go to the beach (also, it is the period in which the Mistral is rarest). Winter is generally mild, but it can sometimes get cold and it can rain.

Aix en Provence - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2016

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Aix en Provence is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.8 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of -0.1 °C (31.8 °F) and a maximum of 11.8 °C (53.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18.5 °F). However, it dropped to -11.8 °C (10.8 °F) in January 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 20.3 °C (68.5 °F) in January 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In February, the weather in Aix en Provence is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 6.3 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of -0.2 °C (31.6 °F) and a maximum of 12.8 °C (55 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19 °F). However, it dropped to -13.1 °C (8.4 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 22.8 °C (73 °F) in February 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In March, the weather in Aix en Provence is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 2.4 °C (36.3 °F) and a maximum of 16.4 °C (61.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23 °F). However, it dropped to -12.5 °C (9.5 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it reached 25.8 °C (78.4 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In April, the weather in Aix en Provence is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 12.3 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) and a maximum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -4.3 °C (24.3 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, it reached 28.9 °C (84 °F) in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In May, the weather in Aix en Provence is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 16.4 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 9.3 °C (48.7 °F) and a maximum of 23.5 °C (74.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to -0.4 °C (31.3 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 34.7 °C (94.5 °F) in May 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In June, the weather in Aix en Provence is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 20.4 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 13 °C (55.4 °F) and a maximum of 27.8 °C (82 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) in June 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in June 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Aix en Provence is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 23 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 15.3 °C (59.5 °F) and a maximum of 30.7 °C (87.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.4 °C (41.7 °F) in July 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 38.6 °C (101.5 °F) in July 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 12 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 80% of the time.
The average humidity is 52%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In August, the weather in Aix en Provence is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 22.8 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 15.2 °C (59.4 °F) and a maximum of 30.5 °C (86.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.9 °C (42.6 °F) in August 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 39.2 °C (102.6 °F) in August 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In September, the weather in Aix en Provence is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 18.8 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 11.9 °C (53.4 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 1.3 °C (34.3 °F) in September 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in September 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In October, the weather in Aix en Provence is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.1 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 9.1 °C (48.4 °F) and a maximum of 21.1 °C (70 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, it dropped to -5 °C (23 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 30.4 °C (86.7 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In November, the weather in Aix en Provence is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.8 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 4.1 °C (39.4 °F) and a maximum of 15.4 °C (59.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9 °C (15.8 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 23.9 °C (75 °F) in November 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In December, the weather in Aix en Provence is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 6.6 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 0.9 °C (33.6 °F) and a maximum of 12.2 °C (54 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19 °F). However, it dropped to -11.6 °C (11.1 °F) in December 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).