Climate - Lille (France)

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The climate of Lille is oceanic, generally cool and wet, rainy and windy all year round, but especially in autumn and winter.
The city is located in the far north of France, in the Nord-Pas de Calais region, a short distance from the Belgian border. We are in French Flanders.
It is true that the climate is influenced by the Atlantic and the North Sea, but due to the distance from the sea (the North Sea is about 60 kilometers or 38 miles away), the climate is a little more continental than on the north coast of France, especially under the influence of continental air masses.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 4.1 °C (39.4 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 19 °C (66.2 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 745 millimeters (29.3 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 45 mm (1.8 in) in the driest month (February) to 70 mm (2.8 in) in the wettest ones (July, November, December). Here is the average precipitation.

In winter, from December to February, the average temperatures are quite low: normally, the maximum temperatures are around 6/7 °C (43/45 °F).
When Atlantic currents prevail, the temperature can become mild and can even reach 13/14 °C (55/57 °F), but the weather in these cases is cloudy and rainy; in these periods, the wind blows frequently, and sometimes can be strong.
On the other hand, there can be cold periods due to northern currents, which are able to lower the temperature to the freezing point (0 °C or 32 °F) or a few degrees above; in these situations, the feeling of cold can be exacerbated by the wind.
The coldest periods occur under the influence of cold air masses from Russia, which can lead to a few days of snow, generally not abundant, and frost.
In Lille, the temperature rarely drops to around -10 °C (14 °F), though this may happen on colder winters. The coldest record is -19.5 °C (-3.1 °F) and was set in January 1982.
Summer, from June to August, is a mild or pleasantly warm season: the days are very long, and the temperature generally lends itself to outdoor activities. However, the weather is variable: there are some cool and rainy days due to Atlantic fronts, when the maximum temperature remains below 20 °C (68 °F), while on other occasions, the Azores High can bring a few hot and sunny days, with highs around 30 °C (86 °F).
Really hot days in Lille are quite rare, though sometimes they may occur because of hot air masses from Africa. In recent decades, heat waves are becoming more frequent due to global warming, although up here to the north, they are usually short lived. The highest record is 41.5 °C (106.7 °F) and was set in July 2019.



On average, there are around 1,620 sunshine hours per year. Along with Brittany, we are in one of the least sunny areas of France. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

The best time to visit Lille 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.

Lille - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Lille is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.2 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 1.7 °C (35.1 °F) and a maximum of 6.6 °C (43.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13.4 °C (7.9 °F) in January 2013.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it reached 15.2 °C (59.4 °F) in January 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 2 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).

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In February, the weather in Lille is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.8 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 1.9 °C (35.4 °F) and a maximum of 7.6 °C (45.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.7 °C (9.1 °F) in February 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).

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In March, the weather in Lille is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.5 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) and a maximum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °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 -10.5 °C (13.1 °F) in March 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 22.2 °C (72 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).

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In April, the weather in Lille is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.5 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 6 °C (42.8 °F) and a maximum of 15 °C (59 °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 -3.1 °C (26.4 °F) in April 2013.
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 27.9 °C (82.2 °F) in April 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 mph).

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In May, the weather in Lille is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.8 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 9.3 °C (48.7 °F) and a maximum of 18.4 °C (65.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to 0.2 °C (32.4 °F) in May 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in May 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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In June, the weather in Lille is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.8 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 12.2 °C (54 °F) and a maximum of 21.3 °C (70.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in June 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 34.5 °C (94.1 °F) in June 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 25 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Lille is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 14.3 °C (57.7 °F) and a maximum of 23.7 °C (74.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 6.7 °C (44.1 °F) in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 41.5 °C (106.7 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).

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In August, the weather in Lille is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.8 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 14 °C (57.2 °F) and a maximum of 23.7 °C (74.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.9 °C (44.4 °F) in August 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 37.1 °C (98.8 °F) in August 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In September, the weather in Lille is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11.4 °C (52.5 °F) and a maximum of 20.2 °C (68.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 2.9 °C (37.2 °F) in September 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 35.1 °C (95.2 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5 sunshine hours 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 13 kph (8 mph).

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In October, the weather in Lille is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.9 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 8.4 °C (47.1 °F) and a maximum of 15.4 °C (59.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -3.4 °C (25.9 °F) in October 1997.
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 27.8 °C (82 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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In November, the weather in Lille is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.6 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) and a maximum of 10.3 °C (50.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.8 °C (18 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it reached 20.3 °C (68.5 °F) in November 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 2 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 23% of the time.
The average humidity is 89%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).

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In December, the weather in Lille is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.7 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 2.4 °C (36.3 °F) and a maximum of 7 °C (44.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.9 °C (12.4 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it reached 15.9 °C (60.6 °F) in December 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 5 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 1.5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 20% of the time.
The average humidity is 89%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).