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).
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.
, 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 41.4 °C (106.5 °F) and was set in August 2023.
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.
. Here are the average temperatures.
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of
4.1 °C, with a minimum of
1.1 °C and a maximum of
7.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-6.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-11.8 °C in January 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
15 °C. However, it reached
19.1 °C in January 2015.
Precipitation amounts to
45 mm, 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 of
11.7 kph.
February is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of
5.2 °C, with a minimum of
1.4 °C and a maximum of
9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-5 °C. However, it dropped to
-12.7 °C in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
16.5 °C. However, it reached
21.6 °C in February 2020.
Precipitation amounts to
45 mm, 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 of
12.2 kph.
March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
9 °C, with a minimum of
4.2 °C and a maximum of
13.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-2 °C. However, it dropped to
-8.9 °C in March 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
21.5 °C. However, it reached
24.6 °C in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to
50 mm, 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 of
12.7 kph.
April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
12.3 °C, with a minimum of
7.2 °C and a maximum of
17.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
0.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-3.6 °C in April 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
25 °C. However, it reached
28.7 °C in April 2018.
Precipitation amounts to
75 mm, 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 of
12.9 kph.
May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
16.4 °C, with a minimum of
11.2 °C and a maximum of
21.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
5 °C. However, it dropped to
1 °C in May 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
29 °C. However, it reached
34 °C in May 2009.
Precipitation amounts to
90 mm, 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 of
12.3 kph.
June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
20.3 °C, with a minimum of
15 °C and a maximum of
25.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
9.5 °C. However, it dropped to
6.2 °C in June 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33 °C. However, it reached
38.4 °C in June 2003.
Precipitation amounts to
75 mm, 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 of
11.5 kph.
July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of
22.6 °C, with a minimum of
17 °C and a maximum of
28.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
12 °C. However, it dropped to
7.5 °C in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
35 °C. However, it reached
40.4 °C in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to
65 mm, 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 of
10.9 kph.
August is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
22.3 °C, with a minimum of
16.6 °C and a maximum of
28 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
11 °C. However, it dropped to
7.3 °C in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
35 °C. However, it reached
40.5 °C in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to
60 mm, 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 of
10.3 kph.
September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
18 °C, with a minimum of
12.8 °C and a maximum of
23.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
7 °C. However, it dropped to
2 °C in September 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
30 °C. However, it reached
34.5 °C in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to
90 mm, 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 of
10.6 kph.
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
13.7 °C, with a minimum of
9.6 °C and a maximum of
17.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
2 °C. However, it dropped to
-4.1 °C in October 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
25 °C. However, it reached
27.7 °C in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to
100 mm, 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 of
11.2 kph.
November is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of
8.2 °C, with a minimum of
4.9 °C and a maximum of
11.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-2 °C. However, it dropped to
-7.8 °C in November 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
19.5 °C. However, it reached
22.4 °C in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to
80 mm, 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 of
11.5 kph.
December is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of
4.8 °C, with a minimum of
2 °C and a maximum of
7.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-5 °C. However, it dropped to
-11.2 °C in December 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
15 °C. However, it reached
18.5 °C in December 2010.
Precipitation amounts to
55 mm, 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 of
11.7 kph.