Climate - Montpellier (France)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Montpellier
The climate of Montpellier is Mediterranean, with mild, relatively rainy winters and hot, sunny summers, sometimes sultry, but tempered by the breeze.
The city is the capital of the Hérault department and is located in the south of France, in the Occitanie region, a short distance from the sea. We are in the area subject to north winds (mistral and tramontane), although, compared to other areas on the Gulf of Lion, Montpellier is relatively protected by the Cévennes mountains.
Although the climate is generally mild, episodes of either cold in winter or intense heat in summer cannot be ruled out.
The average temperature in Montpellier ranges from 7.6 °C (45.7 °F) in January to 24.4 °C (75.9 °F) in July. Here are the average temperatures.
Montpellier - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 3.2 | 12 | 7.6 | 38 | 54 | 45.7 |
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| February | 3.5 | 13.1 | 8.3 | 38 | 56 | 46.9 |
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| March | 6.4 | 16.4 | 11.4 | 44 | 62 | 52.5 |
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| April | 9.2 | 18.7 | 14 | 49 | 66 | 57.1 |
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| May | 13 | 22.6 | 17.8 | 55 | 73 | 64 |
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| June | 16.7 | 26.9 | 21.8 | 62 | 80 | 71.2 |
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| July | 19.3 | 29.5 | 24.4 | 67 | 85 | 75.9 |
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| August | 19.1 | 29.3 | 24.2 | 66 | 85 | 75.6 |
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| September | 15.3 | 25.2 | 20.2 | 60 | 77 | 68.4 |
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| October | 12.2 | 20.7 | 16.4 | 54 | 69 | 61.6 |
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| November | 7.4 | 15.7 | 11.6 | 45 | 60 | 52.8 |
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| December | 4.2 | 12.6 | 8.4 | 40 | 55 | 47.1 |
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| Year | 10.8 | 20.3 | 15.5 | 51.5 | 68.5 | 60 |
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Normally, rainfall is not abundant, and amounts to 630 millimeters (25 inches) per year. However, autumn is quite rainy, and from September to December, torrential rains can sometimes occur, which can lead to the flooding of the Lez River (these episodes are called cévenols). Here is the average precipitation.
Montpellier - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 55 | 2.2 | 6 |
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| February | 50 | 2 | 4 |
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| March | 35 | 1.4 | 5 |
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| April | 55 | 2.2 | 6 |
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| May | 45 | 1.8 | 5 |
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| June | 30 | 1.2 | 4 |
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| July | 15 | 0.6 | 2 |
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| August | 35 | 1.4 | 4 |
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| September | 80 | 3.1 | 5 |
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| October | 95 | 3.7 | 7 |
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| November | 65 | 2.6 | 6 |
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| December | 65 | 2.6 | 6 |
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| Year | 630 | 24.8 | 58 |
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The winter is quite mild, with some rainy days and some sunny days.
Snow is rare but not impossible. Generally, on the coldest nights, the temperature doesn't go below -5/-7 °C (19/23 °F), even though it can reach lower values during the coldest winters. In the past, when the climate was colder, the temperature dropped to -15 °C (5 °F) in January 1947, to -16.7 °C in February 1956, and to -18 °C (-0.5 °F) in February 1963.
The summer is hot and sunny, with some rare thunderstorms.
Generally, during the hottest periods, the temperature does not go beyond 35 °C (95 °F). However, from time to time, this value can be exceeded during heatwaves of African origin, which are becoming more frequent in recent decades. The highest record is 43.5 °C (110.3 °F) and was set in late June 2019. In 2022, the temperature reached 38.6 °C (101.5 °F) in June, 37.3 °C (99.1 °F) in July and 36 °C (97 °F) in August.
The amount of sunshine in Montpellier is among the highest in France (2,670 hours per year). Sunny days can occur throughout the year, but the sun is more frequent in late spring and summer, particularly from May to August, as usually happens in Mediterranean climates. The average ranges from 4.5 hours of sunshine in December to 11 hours in July. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Montpellier - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
January | 4.5 | 145 | February | 6 | 170 | March | 7 | 220 | April | 7.5 | 225 | May | 8.5 | 265 | June | 10.5 | 310 | July | 11 | 340 | August | 9.5 | 300 | September | 8 | 240 | October | 5.5 | 170 | November | 5 | 150 | December | 4.5 | 135 | Year | 7.3 | 2670 |
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. Here is the average sea temperature.
Montpellier - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
|---|
January | 13 | 55 | February | 12.5 | 54 | March | 13 | 55 | April | 13.5 | 57 | May | 16 | 61 | June | 19 | 66 | July | 21 | 70 | August | 22 | 72 | September | 20.5 | 69 | October | 18.5 | 65 | November | 16 | 60 | December | 13.5 | 57 | Year | 16.6 | 61.8 |
When to go
The best time to visit Montpellier is 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. Winter is generally mild, but it can sometimes get cold and it can rain.
Montpellier - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Montpellier is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.6 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) and a maximum of 12 °C (53.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (26 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °F) in January 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 21.2 °C (70.2 °F) in January 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 6 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 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In February, the weather in Montpellier is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.3 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) and a maximum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -9.8 °C (14.4 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it reached 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 4 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 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In March, the weather in Montpellier is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.4 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 6.4 °C (43.5 °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 (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.1 °C (19.2 °F) in March 2005.
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 27.4 °C (81.3 °F) in March 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In April, the weather in Montpellier is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.0 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 9.2 °C (48.6 °F) and a maximum of 18.7 °C (65.7 °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 -0.3 °C (31.5 °F) in April 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 30.4 °C (86.7 °F) in April 2011.
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 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In May, the weather in Montpellier is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.8 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 13 °C (55.4 °F) and a maximum of 22.6 °C (72.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in May 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 35.1 °C (95.2 °F) in May 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In June, the weather in Montpellier is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.8 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) and a maximum of 26.9 °C (80.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.8 °C (47.8 °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 43.5 °C (110.3 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 4 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 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Montpellier is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 24.4 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 19.3 °C (66.7 °F) and a maximum of 29.5 °C (85.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) in July 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In August, the weather in Montpellier is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 24.2 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F) and a maximum of 29.3 °C (84.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it dropped to 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) in August 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) in August 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In September, the weather in Montpellier is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.2 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 15.3 °C (59.5 °F) and a maximum of 25.2 °C (77.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 35.3 °C (95.5 °F) in September 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In October, the weather in Montpellier is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.4 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 12.2 °C (54 °F) and a maximum of 20.7 °C (69.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40.5 °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 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 31.8 °C (89.2 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
In November, the weather in Montpellier is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.6 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 7.4 °C (45.3 °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 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -4.7 °C (23.5 °F) in November 1998.
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 25.3 °C (77.5 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In December, the weather in Montpellier is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.4 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 4.2 °C (39.6 °F) and a maximum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (26 °F). However, it dropped to -6.8 °C (19.8 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in December 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 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 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 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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