Climate - La Rochelle (France)

The climate of La Rochelle is oceanic, with mild winters and warm summers.
The city is located in western France, on the Atlantic coast, and is the capital of the Charente Maritime department.
In front of the city, and reachable via a bridge, is the island of Ré. Further south we find the island of Oléron.
La Rochelle 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.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 7 °C (44.5 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 765 millimeters (30.1 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 40 mm (1.6 in) in the driest month (June) to 95 mm (3.7 in) in the wettest (November). Here is the average precipitation.

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. In particular, La Rochelle was hit hard by storm Martin in late December 1999, when gusts of wind reached 150 km/h (93 mph), and 200 km/h (125 mph) on the islands of Ré and Oléron before the wind carried away the anemometers.
On the other hand, when a high pressure area dominates, fog can form at night, and there may be slight frosts in the countryside east of the city, while the temperature becomes quite mild during the day, 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. Given the location on the coast, temperatures rarely drop below -6/-7 °C (19/21 °F). However, the coldest record is -13.6 °C (7.5 °F) and was set in February 1956.

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 mild or pleasantly warm. Cool and rainy periods, when Atlantic currents dominate, alternate with periods of good weather, when it can get warm. For the location on the coast, daytime temperatures are a bit lower than in Bordeaux, and a fresh breeze blows from the ocean in the afternoon.
At times, hot periods can occur, generally of short duration, which in recent years are becoming more frequent due to global warming, during which the temperature may reach or exceed 34/35 °C (93/95 °F). The highest record is 40.5 °C (104.9 °F) and was set in June 2019.

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.



On average, there are around 2,110 sunshine hours per year. We are in a relatively sunny area of France, surpassed only by the Mediterranean south. The total number of hours of sunshine per year slightly exceeds even that of the cities on the Atlantic coast further south, such as Bordeaux (2,000 hours) and Biarritz (1,920 hours). Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature ranges between 11 °C (52 °F) and 21 °C (70 °F): therefore it remains cool even in summer. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit La Rochelle 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.

La Rochelle - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in La Rochelle is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) and a maximum of 9.5 °C (49.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -8.2 °C (17.2 °F) in January 1997.
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 January 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 12 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 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (53.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in La Rochelle is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.4 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 4.4 °C (39.9 °F) and a maximum of 10.4 °C (50.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.4 °C (18.7 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it reached 21.2 °C (70.2 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 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 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in La Rochelle is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.0 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 6.5 °C (43.7 °F) and a maximum of 13.4 °C (56.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.6 °C (20.1 °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 25 °C (77 °F) in March 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 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 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in La Rochelle is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.2 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) and a maximum of 16 °C (60.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 29.1 °C (84.4 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in La Rochelle is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.6 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11.9 °C (53.4 °F) and a maximum of 19.4 °C (66.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 1.9 °C (35.4 °F) in May 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 33.1 °C (91.6 °F) in May 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. 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 June, the weather in La Rochelle is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.8 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 15 °C (59 °F) and a maximum of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46.4 °F) in June 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 40.5 °C (104.9 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 40 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 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In July, the weather in La Rochelle is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.6 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 16.9 °C (62.4 °F) and a maximum of 24.3 °C (75.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it dropped to 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in July 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 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 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (67.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in La Rochelle is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.8 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 16.9 °C (62.4 °F) and a maximum of 24.6 °C (76.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) in August 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 38.2 °C (100.8 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In September, the weather in La Rochelle is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.1 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 14.1 °C (57.4 °F) and a maximum of 22.1 °C (71.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in September 2002.
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 34.2 °C (93.6 °F) in September 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 7 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 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 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 October, the weather in La Rochelle is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.8 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 11.5 °C (52.7 °F) and a maximum of 18.1 °C (64.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to -0.4 °C (31.3 °F) in October 1997.
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 29.7 °C (85.5 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 12 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 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. 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 November, the weather in La Rochelle is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.5 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 7.7 °C (45.9 °F) and a maximum of 13.3 °C (55.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5 °C (23 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 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 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in La Rochelle is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.6 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 5.1 °C (41.2 °F) and a maximum of 10.2 °C (50.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -9 °C (15.8 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it reached 18.7 °C (65.7 °F) in December 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 40 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 28% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.