Climate - Le Havre (France)

The climate of Le Havre 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 northern France, on the coast of the English Channel, at the mouth of the Seine, in Normandy.
Due to its position exposed to the west wind, the city is particularly windy, especially at the most prominent point (Cap de la Hève).
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 5.8 °C (42.4 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 18.4 °C (65.1 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 790 millimeters (31.1 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 50 mm (2 in) in the driest months (February, July) to 90 mm (3.5 in) in the wettest (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. Generally, the temperature does not drop below -6/-7 °C (19/21 °F) on the coldest days of the year, although it can sometimes drop to lower values. The coldest record is -13.8 °C (7.2 °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 30/31 °C (86/88 °F) on the warmest days of the year. Le Havre 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 38 °C (100.4 °F) and was set in July 2019.



On average, there are around 1,790 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 Le Havre 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.

Le Havre - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Le Havre is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.8 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 3.9 °C (39 °F) and a maximum of 7.6 °C (45.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.5 °C (13.1 °F) in January 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (54 °F). However, it reached 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) in January 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 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 23% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 24 kph (15 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 Le Havre is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 6 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 3.9 °C (39 °F) and a maximum of 8.1 °C (46.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.5 °C (9.5 °F) in February 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 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 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 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 Le Havre is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.0 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) and a maximum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °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 -5.1 °C (22.8 °F) in March 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °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 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (13 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 Le Havre is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.4 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F) and a maximum of 13.3 °C (55.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to -0.6 °C (30.9 °F) in April 2013.
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 26.5 °C (79.7 °F) in April 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 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 Le Havre is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.2 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 10.3 °C (50.5 °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 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 2.6 °C (36.7 °F) in May 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 29.9 °C (85.8 °F) in May 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 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 Le Havre is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.0 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F) and a maximum of 19 °C (66.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 6.2 °C (43.2 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 34.7 °C (94.5 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 9 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 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 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 Le Havre is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 15.1 °C (59.2 °F) and a maximum of 20.9 °C (69.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.4 °C (50.7 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 38.1 °C (100.6 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 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 Le Havre is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.4 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 15.6 °C (60.1 °F) and a maximum of 21.3 °C (70.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.9 °C (51.6 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 36.3 °C (97.3 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 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 Le Havre is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.4 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 13.7 °C (56.7 °F) and a maximum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50 °F). However, it dropped to 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) in September 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 32.7 °C (90.9 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 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 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 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 Le Havre is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.2 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 10.8 °C (51.4 °F) and a maximum of 15.5 °C (59.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.2 °C (31.6 °F) in October 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it reached 28.5 °C (83.3 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 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 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 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 Le Havre is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) and a maximum of 11.3 °C (52.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -4.5 °C (23.9 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 14 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 27% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 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 Le Havre is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 6.6 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 4.7 °C (40.5 °F) and a maximum of 8.4 °C (47.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -8.1 °C (17.4 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (55 °F). However, it reached 16.4 °C (61.5 °F) in December 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 10 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 22% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.