Climate in Marseille (France)

The climate of Marseille is Mediterranean, with mild, relatively rainy winters and hot, sunny summers, sometimes sultry, but tempered by the breeze.
The city is located on the Mediterranean coast, east of the Camargue and the Rhone River delta, in an area exposed to the Mistral, the cold and dry wind of the north.
We are in one of the least rainy areas of France. However, rainfall can occasionally be intense and concentrated in a few hours, especially in autumn.

The winter is quite mild, with some rainy days and some sunny days. However, the wind, which can blow at 100 kph (60 mph) or more, can increase the feeling of cold.
Furthermore, there may sometimes be cold spells, with temperatures going down to -6 °C (21 °F) or even below. The coldest record is -16.8 °C (1.8 °F) and was set in February 1956.
Snow is very rare: decades can pass between a snowfall with an accumulation of a few centimeters and the next.

The summer is hot and sunny, with some rare thunderstorms. There can be very hot periods, with highs exceeding 35 °C (95 °F). The highest record is 39.7 °C (103.5 °F) and was set in July 1983.



Marseille is the sunniest city in France.
The sea temperature in the Gulf of Lion is never very high, because the sea is cooled by the north winds that blow for many months a year, and reaches at most 21/22 °C (70/72 °F) from July in September.

Best Time

The best time to visit Marseille is the spring, from mid-April to mid-June. September is also a good month, but it is quite rainy. Summer, from mid-June to August, can be hot and muggy, even though it's the best time for those who also want to swim in the sea (also, it is the period in which the Mistral is rarest). Winter is generally mild, but it can sometimes get cold and it can rain.

The following weather data was recorded at Marignane Airport.

Marseille - Climate data

In Marseille, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 7.7 °C (45.9 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 25.2 °C (77.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 515 millimeters (20.3 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 10 mm (0.4 in) in the driest month (July) to 75 mm (3 in) in the wettest one (September). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 13 °C (55 °F) in January, February, March to
There are on average around 2860 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Marseille - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.7 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 3.6 °C (38.5 °F) and a maximum of 11.8 °C (53.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.6 °C (20.1 °F) in January 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it reached 19.9 °C (67.8 °F) in January 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% 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 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.2 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) and a maximum of 12.8 °C (55 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.5 °C (14.9 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.4 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 6.5 °C (43.7 °F) and a maximum of 16.4 °C (61.5 °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 -6.8 °C (19.8 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 25.2 °C (77.4 °F) in March 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.4 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) and a maximum of 19.3 °C (66.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.9 °C (33.6 °F) in April 1996.
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 29.3 °C (84.7 °F) in April 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.4 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) and a maximum of 23.5 °C (74.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4.4 °C (39.9 °F) in May 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 34.9 °C (94.8 °F) in May 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.5 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 17.2 °C (63 °F) and a maximum of 27.9 °C (82.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) in June 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 39.6 °C (103.3 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 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 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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July, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 25.2 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 19.7 °C (67.5 °F) and a maximum of 30.7 °C (87.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it dropped to 10.8 °C (51.4 °F) in July 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 39.2 °C (102.6 °F) in July 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 12 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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August is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 24.9 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 19.4 °C (66.9 °F) and a maximum of 30.4 °C (86.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) in August 2006.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 38.8 °C (101.8 °F) in August 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.9 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 15.9 °C (60.6 °F) and a maximum of 25.9 °C (78.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 7.6 °C (45.7 °F) in September 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 34.1 °C (93.4 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F) and a maximum of 21.3 °C (70.3 °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 0.4 °C (32.7 °F) in October 1997.
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 30.4 °C (86.7 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.7 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 7.7 °C (45.9 °F) and a maximum of 15.7 °C (60.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.4 °C (24.1 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 23.7 °C (74.7 °F) in November 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.4 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 4.4 °C (39.9 °F) and a maximum of 12.4 °C (54.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -6.7 °C (19.9 °F) in December 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 20.2 °C (68.4 °F) in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.