Climate - Brest (Brittany)

The climate of Brest is oceanic, generally cool and wet, rainy and windy all year round, but especially in autumn and winter. However, there may also be sunny days, especially in summer.
The city is located in the north-west of France, on the west coast of Brittany.
The average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of 7.2 °C (45 °F), that of the warmest months (July and August) is of 17 °C (63 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 1,210 millimeters (47.6 inches) per year. It ranges from 60 mm (2.4 in) in the driest month (June) to 150 mm (5.9 in) in the wettest (December). The rains are frequent especially from October to March. Here is the average precipitation.

Winter is milder than in the rest of northern France, because ocean currents prevail, and the wind often blows from the south. On the other hand, the sky is often cloudy, the humidity is high and there are periods when the wind blows moderate or strong. Rainfall is frequent.
Cold waves are shorter and less intense than in Paris and in the interior of France. However, there may occasionally be cold periods, in which the temperature drops below freezing, and it can even snow. Generally, the temperature does not drop below -5 °C (23 °F) on the coldest days of the year. However, the coldest record of the past 40 years is -9.4 °C (15.1 °F) and was set in January 1987.
In summer, temperatures are mild or cool. It can also rain, but less often than in winter.
Hot days are rare: generally, the temperature reaches 27/28 °C (81/82 °F) on the warmest days of the year. Brest appears to be quite sheltered from the heat waves that are hitting France more frequently due to global warming. However, hot short periods cannot be ruled out. The highest record is 39.3 °C (102.7 °F) and was set in July 2022. The previous record was 35 °C (95 °F), set in August 2003.



On average, there are around 1,530 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature ranges between 10.5 °C (51 °F) and 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). So, it never becomes warm for swimming. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Brest runs from mid-May to mid-September, since it is the mildest and sunniest period of the year. Sometimes, 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.

Brest - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Brest is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.2 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 4.6 °C (40.3 °F) and a maximum of 9.7 °C (49.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.2 °C (19 °F) in January 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it reached 17 °C (62.6 °F) in January 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 145 mm (5.7 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 22% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Brest is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.2 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 4.3 °C (39.7 °F) and a maximum of 10 °C (50 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.7 °C (19.9 °F) in February 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 27% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Brest is usually mild. The average temperature is of 8.6 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 5.4 °C (41.7 °F) and a maximum of 11.9 °C (53.4 °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 -4.8 °C (23.4 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 23.9 °C (75 °F) in March 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Brest is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.1 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) and a maximum of 13.9 °C (57 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.9 °C (28.6 °F) in April 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 28.2 °C (82.8 °F) in April 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Brest is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.9 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 9 °C (48.2 °F) and a maximum of 16.8 °C (62.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to -0.2 °C (31.6 °F) in May 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 29.5 °C (85.1 °F) in May 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Brest is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.3 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11.5 °C (52.7 °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 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 34.3 °C (93.7 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 5 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 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Brest is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 13.2 °C (55.8 °F) and a maximum of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in July 2020.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 33.7 °C (92.7 °F) in July 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Brest is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.0 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 13.2 °C (55.8 °F) and a maximum of 20.9 °C (69.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 5.8 °C (42.4 °F) in August 2020.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 35.1 °C (95.2 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Brest is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.4 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11.5 °C (52.7 °F) and a maximum of 19.3 °C (66.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) in September 2017.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Brest is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.8 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 9.6 °C (49.3 °F) and a maximum of 16 °C (60.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to -1.5 °C (29.3 °F) in October 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 28.1 °C (82.6 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Brest is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.8 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 7.1 °C (44.8 °F) and a maximum of 12.5 °C (54.5 °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 -3.2 °C (26.2 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it reached 20.7 °C (69.3 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Brest is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.7 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 5.1 °C (41.2 °F) and a maximum of 10.3 °C (50.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -5.6 °C (21.9 °F) in December 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it reached 17.7 °C (63.9 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 150 mm (5.9 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 25 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (54 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.