Climate - Cannes (France)

The climate of Cannes is Mediterranean, with mild, relatively rainy winters and hot, sunny summers, sometimes sultry, but tempered by the breeze.
The city is located on the Cote d'Azur, south-west of Nice, in the department of the Alpes-Maritimes, and overlooks the bay of Cannes (or Gulf of la Napoule).
We are in the French Riviera proper, the one that does not receive the cold and dry wind from the north called Mistral (which blows in the Rhone river valley), although in the stretch of coast between Sainte-Maxime and Antibes, a quite lively wind from the west can sometimes still blow.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 8.6 °C (47.5 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 23.7 °C (74.7 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 755 millimeters (29.7 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 15 mm (0.6 in) in the driest month (July) to 120 mm (4.7 in) in the wettest (October). Occasionally, rain can be intense and concentrated in a few hours, especially in September and October. Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is mild, with sunny periods alternating with rainy periods.
Every now and then, when the wind blows from Russia, there can be cold waves as well. However, snow is very rare, and it may not fall for several years in a row.
Generally, in the coldest nights of the year, the temperature drops to around -2 °C (28 °F), however, on colder winters, it has dropped to lower values. The coldest record is -12 °C (10.4 °F) and was set in January 1985.
Summer is hot and sunny, with very rare rains.
Cannes is quite sheltered from the heat waves of African origin that have recently been affecting France, and generally the temperature does not go above 33/34 °C (91/93 °F) on the hottest days of the year. However, the highest record is 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) and was set in August 2017.



On average, there are around 2,740 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature ranges between 13 °C (55 °F) and 24 °C (75 °F). The sea is therefore never very warm, but it becomes altogether acceptable for swimming in July and August. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Cannes is the spring, from mid-April to mid-June. September is also a good month, but it is quite rainy. Summer, from mid-June to August, can be hot and muggy, even though it's the best time for those who also want to swim in the sea. Winter is generally mild, but it can sometimes get cold and it can rain.

Cannes - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Cannes is usually mild. The average temperature is of 8.6 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 3.9 °C (39 °F) and a maximum of 13.4 °C (56.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5.8 °C (21.6 °F) in January 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 22.9 °C (73.2 °F) in January 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 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 69%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 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 February, the weather in Cannes is usually mild. The average temperature is of 8.8 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 3.9 °C (39 °F) and a maximum of 13.7 °C (56.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in February 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 23.2 °C (73.8 °F) in February 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Cannes is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.0 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) and a maximum of 15.8 °C (60.4 °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 -4.1 °C (24.6 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 27.9 °C (82.2 °F) in March 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 5 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 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 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 April, the weather in Cannes is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 8.9 °C (48 °F) and a maximum of 18.1 °C (64.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1.1 °C (34 °F) in April 1998.
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 26.6 °C (79.9 °F) in April 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Cannes is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.3 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 12.9 °C (55.2 °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 8 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 31.6 °C (88.9 °F) in May 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Cannes is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) and a maximum of 25.3 °C (77.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54 °F). However, it dropped to 8.9 °C (48 °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 (89 °F). However, it reached 37.3 °C (99.1 °F) in June 2017.
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 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Cannes is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.5 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 19 °C (66.2 °F) and a maximum of 28 °C (82.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it dropped to 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) in July 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) in July 2019.
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 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Cannes is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.7 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 19 °C (66.2 °F) and a maximum of 28.4 °C (83.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it dropped to 12.7 °C (54.9 °F) in August 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) in August 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Cannes is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.3 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 15.5 °C (59.9 °F) and a maximum of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) in September 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in September 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 4 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 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Cannes is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.8 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) and a maximum of 21.2 °C (70.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 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 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Cannes is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.6 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.6 °F) and a maximum of 17 °C (62.6 °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 °C (26.6 °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 25.7 °C (78.3 °F) in November 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Cannes is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 4.8 °C (40.6 °F) and a maximum of 14.1 °C (57.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.2 °C (24.4 °F) in December 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 20.7 °C (69.3 °F) in December 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 7 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 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.