Climate in Nîmes (France)

The climate of Nîmes is Mediterranean, with mild, relatively rainy winters and hot, sunny summers.
The city is the capital of the Gard department, and is located in the south of France, 40 km (25 mi) from the sea, in the region of Occitania. The Rhone valley, where the Mistral can blow, the cold and dry north wind, is not far. In summer, we are in the hottest area of France, where the temperature can reach and exceed 35 °C (95 °F).
The city is very sunny.
In autumn, there can sometimes be abundant rainfall, concentrated in a few hours. From time to time, floods can occur, as happened on October 3, 1988.

The winter is quite mild, with some rainy days and some sunny days.
The mistral blows quite often, increasing the feeling of cold, although generally the temperature is not very low because the air mass comes from the North Atlantic.
But sometimes there can be periods of intense cold, when cold air arrives from Russia or the Arctic regions. Snow is rare, but once every few years, it can snow.
Even in these cases, it is rare for the temperature to drop to very low values, but sometimes it can happen. The coldest record is -14 °C (6.8 °F) and was set in February 1948.

The summer is hot and sunny, with some rare thunderstorms.
The Mistral blows less often than in other seasons, and even when it does, it is not necessarily particularly cool (on the contrary, it can sometimes be very hot, for a föhn-like effect).
On the hottest days of the year, it can reach 36/37 °C (97/99 °F), and more rarely, higher values.
In summer, the Nîmes area is particularly exposed to the African heat waves that have been affecting France in recent decades. On 28 June 2019, in Gallargues-le-Montueux, a town located about 20 km (12 mi) south-west of Nîmes, the absolute heat record in France was set, with 45.9 °C (114.6 °F). The previous record, 44.1 °C (111.4 °F), was set in Conqueyrac, 35 km (21.5 mi) north-west of Nîmes, on 12 August 2003.
In Nîmes, the highest record is 44.4 °C (111.9 °F) and was set in June 2019.
Moreover, during some months, the heat can last a long time. For example, the average maximum temperature were 36 °C (97 °F) in August 2003, 35.3 °C (95.5 °F) in July 2006, and 34.6 °C (94.3 °F) in July 2019.



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 Nîmes 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. Winter is generally mild, but it can sometimes get cold and it can rain.

Nîmes - Climate data

In Nîmes, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 7.3 °C (45.1 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 25.2 °C (77.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 760 millimeters (29.9 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 30 mm (1.2 in) in the driest month (July) to 120 mm (4.7 in) in the wettest one (October). Here is the average precipitation.
There are on average around 2665 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Nîmes - 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 7.3 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) and a maximum of 11.4 °C (52.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -6.9 °C (19.6 °F) in January 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 21.5 °C (70.7 °F) in January 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 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 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.1 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) and a maximum of 12.9 °C (55.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -7.3 °C (18.9 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it reached 25.1 °C (77.2 °F) in February 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 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 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.4 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 6.2 °C (43.2 °F) and a maximum of 16.7 °C (62.1 °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 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 27.1 °C (80.8 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 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 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.2 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 8.8 °C (47.8 °F) and a maximum of 19.5 °C (67.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.5 °C (29.3 °F) in April 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 30.7 °C (87.3 °F) in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 7 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 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) and a maximum of 23.6 °C (74.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) in May 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 34.7 °C (94.5 °F) in May 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 6 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 60%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.3 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.3 °C (61.3 °F) and a maximum of 28.3 °C (82.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.4 °C (47.1 °F) in June 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 44.4 °C (111.9 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 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 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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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 °C (66.2 °F) and a maximum of 31.5 °C (88.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it dropped to 11 °C (51.8 °F) in July 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). However, it reached 38.8 °C (101.8 °F) in July 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 3 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 51%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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August is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 25 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 18.7 °C (65.7 °F) and a maximum of 31.2 °C (88.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.7 °C (51.3 °F) in August 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 41.6 °C (106.9 °F) in August 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 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 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) and a maximum of 26.1 °C (79 °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 6.2 °C (43.2 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 36.8 °C (98.2 °F) in September 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 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 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.3 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) and a maximum of 20.9 °C (69.6 °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 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) in October 2012.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 31.9 °C (89.4 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 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 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 6.9 °C (44.4 °F) and a maximum of 15.2 °C (59.4 °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 -4.1 °C (24.6 °F) in November 2010.
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 25.2 °C (77.4 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 7 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 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.8 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) and a maximum of 11.8 °C (53.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.8 °C (18 °F) in December 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 19.8 °C (67.6 °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 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (7 mph).