Climate - Lyon (France)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Lyon
The climate of Lyon is moderately continental, with quite cold winters and warm to hot summers.
The city is located in the south-east of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, approximately 100 km (62 mi) southwest of Geneva, and at the meeting point of the Saone and Rhone rivers. The climate is similar to that of the Po valley (see Milan), although a little milder (as far as the average temperatures are concerned, because in reality, Lyon is exposed to both cold and heat waves).
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 4.1 °C (39.4 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 22.6 °C (72.7 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Lyon - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 1.1 | 7.1 | 4.1 | 34 | 45 | 39.4 |
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| February | 1.4 | 9 | 5.2 | 35 | 48 | 41.4 |
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| March | 4.2 | 13.9 | 9 | 40 | 57 | 48.3 |
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| April | 7.2 | 17.4 | 12.3 | 45 | 63 | 54.1 |
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| May | 11.2 | 21.5 | 16.4 | 52 | 71 | 61.4 |
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| June | 15 | 25.6 | 20.3 | 59 | 78 | 68.5 |
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| July | 17 | 28.2 | 22.6 | 63 | 83 | 72.7 |
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| August | 16.6 | 28 | 22.3 | 62 | 82 | 72.1 |
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| September | 12.8 | 23.1 | 18 | 55 | 74 | 64.3 |
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| October | 9.6 | 17.8 | 13.7 | 49 | 64 | 56.7 |
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| November | 4.9 | 11.4 | 8.2 | 41 | 53 | 46.7 |
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| December | 2 | 7.7 | 4.8 | 36 | 46 | 40.7 |
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| Year | 8.6 | 17.6 | 13.1 | 47.5 | 63.7 | 55.5 |
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Precipitation amounts to 830 millimeters (32.7 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 45 mm (1.8 in) in the driest months (January, February) to 100 mm (3.9 in) in the wettest (October). Here is the average precipitation.
Lyon - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 45 | 1.8 | 9 |
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| February | 45 | 1.8 | 8 |
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| March | 50 | 2 | 8 |
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| April | 75 | 3 | 9 |
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| May | 90 | 3.5 | 11 |
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| June | 75 | 3 | 8 |
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| July | 65 | 2.6 | 7 |
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| August | 60 | 2.4 | 7 |
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| September | 90 | 3.5 | 8 |
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| October | 100 | 3.9 | 10 |
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| November | 80 | 3.1 | 9 |
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| December | 55 | 2.2 | 9 |
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| Year | 830 | 32.7 | 104 |
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The winter is cold. There may be relatively mild periods, when Atlantic currents prevail, cold and humid periods in which fogs and low clouds form, and other colder periods, when the temperature drops below freezing. Sometimes it can snow. On average, 15-20 cm (6/8 in) of snow fall per year.
At times, there can be cold spells, in which temperatures can drop as low as -10 °C (14 °F) or even below. The coldest record is -23 °C (-9.4 °F) and was set in January 1963.
In summer, there are periods with pleasant temperatures which lend themselves to outdoor activities, although sometimes there can be rains and thunderstorms. However, there are also hot and sultry periods, in which the daytime temperature reaches 30/32 °C (86/90 °F).
At times, heat waves can occur, which in recent years are becoming more frequent due to global warming, and in which the temperature can exceed 35 °C (95 °F). The highest record is 40.5 °C (104.9 °F) and was set in July 2019 and in August 2003.
On average, there are around 2,000 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Lyon - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 2.5 | 75 | February | 3.5 | 100 | March | 5.5 | 170 | April | 6.5 | 190 | May | 7 | 220 | June | 8.5 | 255 | July | 9 | 285 | August | 8 | 255 | September | 6.5 | 195 | October | 4 | 130 | November | 2.5 | 75 | December | 2 | 55 | Year | 5.5 | 2000 |
Best Time
To visit Lyon, 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.
Lyon - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Lyon is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.1 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 1.1 °C (34 °F) and a maximum of 7.1 °C (44.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20.5 °F). However, it dropped to -11.8 °C (10.8 °F) in January 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it reached 19.1 °C (66.4 °F) in January 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
In February, the weather in Lyon is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.2 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 1.4 °C (34.5 °F) and a maximum of 9 °C (48.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23 °F). However, it dropped to -12.7 °C (9.1 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it reached 21.6 °C (70.9 °F) in February 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
In March, the weather in Lyon is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.0 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 4.2 °C (39.6 °F) and a maximum of 13.9 °C (57 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -8.9 °C (16 °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 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 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 68%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
In April, the weather in Lyon is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.3 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 7.2 °C (45 °F) and a maximum of 17.4 °C (63.3 °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 -3.6 °C (25.5 °F) in April 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, it reached 28.7 °C (83.7 °F) in April 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 9 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 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
In May, the weather in Lyon is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.4 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) and a maximum of 21.5 °C (70.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in May 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
In June, the weather in Lyon is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.3 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 15 °C (59 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.2 °C (43.2 °F) in June 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 38.4 °C (101.1 °F) in June 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 8 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 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Lyon is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 22.6 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 17 °C (62.6 °F) and a maximum of 28.2 °C (82.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 7.5 °C (45.5 °F) in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 40.4 °C (104.7 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
In August, the weather in Lyon is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.3 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.6 °C (61.9 °F) and a maximum of 28 °C (82.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it dropped to 7.3 °C (45.1 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 40.5 °C (104.9 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 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 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
In September, the weather in Lyon is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 18.0 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 12.8 °C (55 °F) and a maximum of 23.1 °C (73.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in September 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 34.5 °C (94.1 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 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 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
In October, the weather in Lyon is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.7 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 9.6 °C (49.3 °F) and a maximum of 17.8 °C (64 °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 -4.1 °C (24.6 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 27.7 °C (81.9 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
In November, the weather in Lyon is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.2 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) and a maximum of 11.4 °C (52.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28 °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 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 27% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
In December, the weather in Lyon is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.8 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 2 °C (35.6 °F) and a maximum of 7.7 °C (45.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23 °F). However, it dropped to -11.2 °C (11.8 °F) in December 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it reached 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) in December 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 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 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 20% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
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