Climate in Bordeaux (France)

The climate of Bordeaux, the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, is sub-oceanic with some Mediterranean influences. Winters are quite mild and rainy, while summers are warm and quite sunny.
The city is located in the west of France, 50 km (30 mi) away from the Atlantic Ocean, and is crossed by the Garonne River before it merges with the Dordogne and widens into the estuary called Gironde.
Bordeaux can be affected by Atlantic depressions all year round, but because of its southern location, it is also reached by the Azores anticyclone, which brings sunny periods, especially in summer.

Precipitation is frequent and well distributed over the seasons, with a relative minimum in summer.

Winter, from December to February, is quite mild. When the westerlies prevail, Atlantic disturbances bring mild and rainy weather, sometimes windy: in these cases, the temperature can reach and even exceed, 15 °C (59 °F).
The most intense Atlantic depressions can bring very strong winds. During the storm of February 12, 1990, the gusts of wind reached 115 km/h (70 mph), while during that of December 27, 1999, a gust of 118 km/h (73 mph) was recorded. At Cap Ferret, on the coast, the gusts reached 137 km/h (85 mph) in 1990, and 160 km/h (100 mph) in 1999.
On the other hand, when a high pressure area dominates, fog can form at night, and there may be slight frosts, while during the day the temperature becomes quite mild, and the sun can come out.
On the contrary, when the wind blows from Russia, there can be cold waves, with snowfalls, usually not abundant. The temperature rarely drops below -10 °C (14 °F), although the coldest record is -16 °C (3 °F), set in January 1985 and January 1987. More recently, in February 2012, the temperature dropped to -9 °C (16 °F).

Spring, from March to May, is mild, with frequent rainfall, and a bit of cold at night. In March, there may still be wintry days. The Azores anticyclone can bring periods of good weather, with pleasantly warm days, usually from the second half of April, and more often in May.

Summer, from June to August, is pleasantly warm. Cool and rainy periods, when Atlantic currents dominate, alternate with periods of good weather, when it can be even hot, with maximum temperatures about 28/30 °C (82/86 °F). However, a cool breeze blows in the afternoon from the ocean.
Every so often, there can also be short heat waves, during which the temperature may reach or exceed 36/38 °C (97/100 °F). On average, the temperature exceeds 32 °C (90 °F) for about ten days per year.
In the exceptional month of August 2003, scorching heat lasted for 13 consecutive days, and the temperature reached 40.7 °C (105 °F). It has been a unique case, but in recent decades, heatwaves, albeit shorter, are becoming more frequent due to global warming. In July 2019, the record was broken with 41 °C (106 °F). In 2022, the temperature reached 40.5 °C (105 °F) in June, 40 °C (104 °F) in July and 39.5 °C (103 °F) in August, and there were 22 days with a temperature of 35 °C (95 °F) or higher.

Autumn, from September to November, is very pleasant at the beginning, that is, in the first half of September, and then it gradually becomes more cool, humid and rainy. November is often a very rainy month.



The amount of sunshine in Bordeaux is acceptable from April to September, when there are several periods of good weather, while it is quite low from November to February, when cloudy days are predominant, in addition to a bit of haze and fog on clear nights and mornings.
If we exclude the south of France, and in particular the Mediterranean coast, we are in a fairly sunny area, so much so that it exceeds 2,000 hours of sunshine per year (for example, in Paris there are just 1,660 hours of sunshine).

The nearby sea of Aquitaine is cool to swim in even in summer

On the coast to the west of Bordeaux we find the Arcachon Bay, a lagoon belonging to the Landes de Gascogne and which exchanges a large amount of water every day with the sea according to the tides, and the Dune of Pilat, the highest in Europe, measuring between 100 and 120 meters (330 to 390 feet).

Best Time

The best time to visit Bordeaux runs from mid-May to September, since it is the warmest and sunniest time of the year. We can not exclude that some nights may be a bit cold, especially in May, June and September, but even in midsummer it's better to bring a sweatshirt for the evening, and maybe an umbrella. Those who want to avoid the albeit rare heat waves, can avoid the period from mid-June to late August.

Bordeaux - Climate data

In Bordeaux, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 7.2 °C (44.9 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 985 millimeters (38.8 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 55 mm (2.2 in) in the driest month (July) to 105 mm (4.1 in) in the wettest ones (November, December) Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 12 °C (54 °F) in February, March to 21.5 °C (71 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
There are on average around 2035 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Bordeaux - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

---

January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.2 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) and a maximum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (25 °F). However, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F) in January 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 20.2 °C (68.4 °F) in January 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.8 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 3.6 °C (38.5 °F) and a maximum of 12 °C (53.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.8 °C (16.2 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 25.7 °C (78.3 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (53.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.7 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 5.9 °C (42.6 °F) and a maximum of 15.5 °C (59.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -8.4 °C (16.9 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 26.8 °C (80.2 °F) in March 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (53.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 8 °C (46.4 °F) and a maximum of 18 °C (64.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.6 °C (29.1 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 31.1 °C (88 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.6 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 11.4 °C (52.5 °F) and a maximum of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.1 °C (35.8 °F) in May 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 34.6 °C (94.3 °F) in May 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.8 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) and a maximum of 25 °C (77 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 7.3 °C (45.1 °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 39.2 °C (102.6 °F) in June 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 30 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 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

---

July is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.7 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 16.2 °C (61.2 °F) and a maximum of 27.2 °C (81 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 41.2 °C (106.2 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (69.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

---

August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.3 °C (61.3 °F) and a maximum of 27.6 °C (81.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it dropped to 8.6 °C (47.5 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 40.7 °C (105.3 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (71 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

---

September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.8 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) and a maximum of 24.2 °C (75.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4.3 °C (39.7 °F) in September 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 36.1 °C (97 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

---

October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.2 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 10.7 °C (51.3 °F) and a maximum of 19.6 °C (67.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to -3.5 °C (25.7 °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 31.3 °C (88.3 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.4 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 6.7 °C (44.1 °F) and a maximum of 14.1 °C (57.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.3 °C (20.7 °F) in November 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 26.7 °C (80.1 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.7 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 4.4 °C (39.9 °F) and a maximum of 11 °C (51.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.4 °C (15.1 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it reached 21.1 °C (70 °F) in December 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 55 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.