Climate - Besançon (France)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Besançon
The climate of Besançon is moderately continental, with cold winters and warm summers.
The city is the capital of the historic region of France-Comté, and is located in the east of France, 300 meters (1,000 feet) above sea level, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, 50 km (30 miles) away from Switzerland.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 2.9 °C (37.2 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 20.2 °C (68.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Besançon - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 0.1 | 5.8 | 2.9 | 32 | 42 | 37.3 |
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| February | 0.2 | 7.6 | 3.9 | 32 | 46 | 39 |
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| March | 3 | 12.1 | 7.6 | 37 | 54 | 45.6 |
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| April | 5.6 | 16.1 | 10.9 | 42 | 61 | 51.5 |
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| May | 9.4 | 19.9 | 14.6 | 49 | 68 | 58.4 |
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| June | 12.9 | 23.6 | 18.2 | 55 | 74 | 64.8 |
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| July | 14.8 | 25.7 | 20.2 | 59 | 78 | 68.4 |
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| August | 14.5 | 25.6 | 20 | 58 | 78 | 68.1 |
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| September | 11.1 | 21 | 16 | 52 | 70 | 60.9 |
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| October | 7.7 | 16.1 | 11.9 | 46 | 61 | 53.4 |
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| November | 3.5 | 10 | 6.8 | 38 | 50 | 44.2 |
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| December | 0.9 | 6.4 | 3.6 | 34 | 44 | 38.6 |
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| Year | 7 | 15.9 | 11.4 | 44.6 | 60.6 | 52.5 |
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Precipitation amounts to 1,185 millimeters (46.7 inches) per year: therefore, the city is quite rainy (because it is on the edge of the Jura massif). It ranges from 80 mm (3.1 in) in the driest month (February) to 115 mm (4.5 in) in the wettest ones (May, October). Here is the average precipitation.
Besançon - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 85 | 3.3 | 13 |
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| February | 80 | 3.1 | 12 |
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| March | 90 | 3.5 | 12 |
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| April | 95 | 3.7 | 12 |
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| May | 115 | 4.5 | 13 |
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| June | 100 | 3.9 | 11 |
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| July | 90 | 3.5 | 10 |
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| August | 90 | 3.5 | 10 |
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| September | 105 | 4.1 | 10 |
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| October | 115 | 4.5 | 13 |
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| November | 105 | 4.1 | 13 |
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| December | 110 | 4.3 | 13 |
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| Year | 1185 | 46.7 | 141 |
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The winter is cold and gray. There may be relatively mild periods, when Atlantic currents prevail, and other colder periods, when the temperature drops below freezing.
Sometimes, there can be cold spells, in which temperatures can drop as low as -10 °C (14 °F) or even below. The coldest record is -20.7 °C (-5.3 °F) and was set in January 1985.
In summer, the temperatures are generally pleasant and lend themselves to outdoor activities, although sometimes there can be rains and thunderstorms.
At times, hot periods can occur, generally of short duration, which in recent years are becoming more frequent due to global warming, and in which the temperature can exceed 32 °C (90 °F). The highest record is 39 °C (102 °F) and was set in July 1983 and 2019.
On average, there are around 1,840 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Besançon - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
January | 2.5 | 75 | February | 3.5 | 95 | March | 4.5 | 140 | April | 6 | 175 | May | 6.5 | 205 | June | 7.5 | 230 | July | 8 | 245 | August | 7.5 | 230 | September | 6 | 175 | October | 4.5 | 135 | November | 2.5 | 75 | December | 1.5 | 55 | Year | 5 | 1835 |
Best Time
The best time to visit Besançon runs from mid-May to mid-September, since it is the warmest and sunniest period of the year. Sometimes, it can be hot in July and August, while in other circumstances, nights can be cool or even a little cold even in these months, so it can be useful to bring a sweatshirt or sweater and a light jacket for the evening.
Besançon - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Besançon is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.0 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of 0.1 °C (32.2 °F) and a maximum of 5.8 °C (42.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8 °C (17.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.5 °C (9.5 °F) in January 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it reached 15.9 °C (60.6 °F) in January 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 27% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
In February, the weather in Besançon is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.9 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 0.2 °C (32.4 °F) and a maximum of 7.6 °C (45.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -14.5 °C (5.9 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it reached 20.9 °C (69.6 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
In March, the weather in Besançon is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.6 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 3 °C (37.4 °F) and a maximum of 12.1 °C (53.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (26 °F). However, it dropped to -14 °C (6.8 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 23.9 °C (75 °F) in March 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
In April, the weather in Besançon is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.8 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) and a maximum of 16.1 °C (61 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.3 °C (26.1 °F) in April 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it reached 27.6 °C (81.7 °F) in April 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
In May, the weather in Besançon is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.6 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) and a maximum of 19.9 °C (67.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.6 °C (30.9 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in May 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
In June, the weather in Besançon is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.2 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) and a maximum of 23.6 °C (74.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.3 °C (36.1 °F) in June 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 35.8 °C (96.4 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 55 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 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Besançon is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.2 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 14.8 °C (58.6 °F) and a maximum of 25.7 °C (78.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in July 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
In August, the weather in Besançon is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.0 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 14.5 °C (58.1 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.2 °C (41.4 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
In September, the weather in Besançon is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.0 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 11.1 °C (52 °F) and a maximum of 21 °C (69.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in September 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 33.4 °C (92.1 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
In October, the weather in Besançon is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.9 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 7.7 °C (45.9 °F) and a maximum of 16.1 °C (61 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -4.4 °C (24.1 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 30.1 °C (86.2 °F) in October 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
In November, the weather in Besançon is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 6.8 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) and a maximum of 10 °C (50 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26 °F). However, it dropped to -9.3 °C (15.3 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in November 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
In December, the weather in Besançon is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.6 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 0.9 °C (33.6 °F) and a maximum of 6.4 °C (43.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19 °F). However, it dropped to -17.7 °C (0.1 °F) in December 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it reached 17.9 °C (64.2 °F) in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 30 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 20% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
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