Weather and climate in Grenoble (France)

The climate of Grenoble is moderately continental, with quite cold winters and warm summers.
The city is capital of the Isère department, and is located at 200 meters (650 feet) above sea level, at the foot of the Alps, in a Y-shaped valley. The configuration in a valley opened only on one side creates a particular microclimate, where it can snow in winter, while there can be hot days in summer.
The air often tends to stagnate, except when the north-west wind manages to channel itself into the mountains.
Being surrounded by mountains, the city is also prone to the Föhn wind, which can bring mild days even in winter.
To the north-west, the Isère valley between Voreppe and Grenoble, with Saint-Égrève in the center, located between the Vercors and Chartreuse massifs, is cooler because it is the area from which the north-west wind enters (which can also bring snow in some winter situations).
The center of Grenoble, and even more the Grésivaudan valley, to the north-east, where the Le Versoud airport is located, is more protected, being between the mountains, so it is milder in winter, but also warmer in summer.
The situation is shown in the following map. The blue arrow indicates the valley in which cool (or cold) air enters from the north-west.



The weather station is located further west, and therefore further from the Alps, at the Grenoble Alpes Isère airport, located at 385 meters (1,265 feet), in the municipality of Saint-Étienne-de-Saint-Geoirs, in the plain of Bièvre.
But in the city of Grenoble, temperatures are higher. For example, the cold record, set in January 1971, is -27 °C (-16.5 °F) at the airport and -20 °C (-4 °C) in the city. In January 1985, the temperature dropped to -24.6 °C (-12.3 °F) at the airport, and to -18 °C (-0.5 °F) in the city, while in February 2012, it dropped to -19.5 °C (-3 °F) at the airport and to -12.5 °C (9.5 °F) in the city.
Normally, the differences are smaller, however, one or two degrees Celsius more can be expected in the city. In summer, the temperature reaches more easily 30 °C (86 °F), and sometimes it can get very hot. In August 2023, it reached 42.6 °C (108.7 °F).
At the airport, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 2.8 °C (37 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 20.6 °C (69 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 935 millimeters (36.8 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 50 mm (2 in) in the driest month (February) to 105 mm (4.1 in) in the wettest ones (May, September, October). Here is the average precipitation.

On average, there are around 2,070 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

To visit Grenoble, you can choose the months of May and September. In summer, sometimes the heat is bearable, while at other times, especially from late June to late August, it can be intense. However, nights can be cool even in these months, so it can be useful to bring a sweatshirt or sweater and a light jacket for the evening.

Grenoble - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 2.8 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of -0.5 °C (31.1 °F) and a maximum of 6.2 °C (43.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (17 °F). However, it dropped to -15.2 °C (4.6 °F) in January 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it reached 17.3 °C (63.1 °F) in January 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 9 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 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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February is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.8 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of -0.3 °C (31.5 °F) and a maximum of 7.9 °C (46.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18.5 °F). However, it dropped to -19.4 °C (-2.9 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it reached 20.7 °C (69.3 °F) in February 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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March is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.4 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 2.2 °C (36 °F) and a maximum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °F). However, it dropped to -14.7 °C (5.5 °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 (68.5 °F). However, it reached 23.7 °C (74.7 °F) in March 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 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 12 kph (7 mph).

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.5 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 4.8 °C (40.6 °F) and a maximum of 16.2 °C (61.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.9 °C (17.8 °F) in April 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 27.5 °C (81.5 °F) in April 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 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 12 kph (7 mph).

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May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.6 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 9 °C (48.2 °F) and a maximum of 20.2 °C (68.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.8 °C (27 °F) in May 2019.
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 31.3 °C (88.3 °F) in May 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 11 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 70%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.4 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) and a maximum of 24.4 °C (75.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.1 °C (35.8 °F) in June 2005.
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 37 °C (98.6 °F) in June 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 35 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 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (7 mph).

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July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.6 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) and a maximum of 27.1 °C (80.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 5.9 °C (42.6 °F) in July 2002.
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 July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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August is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.6 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 14.3 °C (57.7 °F) and a maximum of 26.8 °C (80.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 39.5 °C (103.1 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 7 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 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.4 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 10.9 °C (51.6 °F) and a maximum of 22 °C (71.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) in September 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 7.8 °C (46 °F) and a maximum of 16.9 °C (62.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.9 °C (23.2 °F) in October 2003.
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 26.7 °C (80.1 °F) in October 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 10 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 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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November is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) and a maximum of 10.6 °C (51.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.5 °C (14.9 °F) in November 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 23.4 °C (74.1 °F) in November 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 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 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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December is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.6 °C (38 °F), with a minimum of 0.3 °C (32.5 °F) and a maximum of 6.8 °C (44.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18.5 °F). However, it dropped to -20.2 °C (-4.4 °F) in December 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it reached 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) in December 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 50 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 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).