Climate - Caen (France)

The climate of Caen 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 of France, a few kilometers from the coast of the English Channel, in Normandy.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 5.6 °C (42 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 18.2 °C (64.8 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 740 millimeters (29.1 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 50 mm (2 in) in the driest months (February, April, August) to 80 mm (3.1 in) in the wettest ones (October, December). Here is the average precipitation.

Winter is a bit milder than in the rest of northern France, because ocean currents prevail. 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.
Sometimes, there may be cold periods, in which the temperature is close to freezing, and even snow can fall.
Cold waves are a little less intense than in Paris and in the interior of France, however, they are a little more intense than in Brittany. The coldest record is -19.6 °C (-3.3 °F) and was set in January 1985.
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 31/32 °C (88/90 °F) on the warmest days of the year. Caen is marginally affected by the heat waves that are recently hitting France more frequently due to global warming. However, short hot periods, maybe just a day or two, cannot be ruled out. The highest record is 39.7 °C (103.5 °F) and was set in July 2019.



On average, there are around 1,700 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature ranges between 8 °C (46 °F) and 18 °C (64 °F). So, it never becomes warm for swimming. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Caen runs from mid-May to mid-September, since it is the warmest 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.

Caen - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Caen is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.6 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 2.9 °C (37.2 °F) and a maximum of 8.3 °C (46.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23 °F). However, it dropped to -12 °C (10.4 °F) in January 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it reached 16.1 °C (61 °F) in January 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 2 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 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C (48.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Caen is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.9 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 2.7 °C (36.9 °F) and a maximum of 9.1 °C (48.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (25 °F). However, it dropped to -11.7 °C (10.9 °F) in February 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it reached 19.5 °C (67.1 °F) in February 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (47 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Caen is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.0 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 4.2 °C (39.6 °F) and a maximum of 11.7 °C (53.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -6.5 °C (20.3 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 11 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 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (46.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Caen is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.0 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) and a maximum of 14.4 °C (57.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -3.6 °C (25.5 °F) in April 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 26.6 °C (79.9 °F) in April 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Caen is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.0 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) and a maximum of 17.4 °C (63.3 °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 -0.7 °C (30.7 °F) in May 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 30.2 °C (86.4 °F) in May 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Caen is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) and a maximum of 20.5 °C (68.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 2.4 °C (36.3 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 35.2 °C (95.4 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 10 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 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Caen is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F) and a maximum of 22.9 °C (73.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 5.1 °C (41.2 °F) in July 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 39.7 °C (103.5 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Caen is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.2 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) and a maximum of 23.2 °C (73.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) in August 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 38.9 °C (102 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 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 Caen is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11.1 °C (52 °F) and a maximum of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.4 °C (36.3 °F) in September 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 33.3 °C (91.9 °F) in September 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 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 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 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 October, the weather in Caen is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.5 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8.8 °C (47.8 °F) and a maximum of 16.2 °C (61.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -3.7 °C (25.3 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 28.9 °C (84 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Caen is usually mild. The average temperature is of 8.7 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) and a maximum of 11.8 °C (53.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -6.1 °C (21 °F) in November 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 21.6 °C (70.9 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 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 Caen is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 6.1 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) and a maximum of 8.8 °C (47.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (25 °F). However, it dropped to -9.7 °C (14.5 °F) in December 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it reached 16.3 °C (61.3 °F) in December 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 20 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 24% 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.