Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
The climate of Nantes is
suboceanic, with quite mild, rainy winters and warm summers.
The city is located in north-western France, 45 km (28 mi) away from the Atlantic coast, and is the capital of the Pays de la Loire (the Loire is the river that runs through the city).
Winter is a bit milder than in the interior of France due to the proximity of the ocean. On the other hand, the sky is often cloudy, the humidity is high and there are periods when the wind blows moderate or strong. Rainfall is frequent.
Cold waves are shorter and less intense than in Paris and in the interior of France. However, there may occasionally be cold periods, in which the temperature drops below freezing, and it can even snow. The coldest record is -15.6 °C (3.9 °F) and was set in February 1956.
In
summer, temperatures are mild or pleasantly warm. It can also rain, but less often than in winter.
At times, hot periods can occur, generally of short duration, which in recent years are becoming more frequent due to global warming, during which the temperature may reach or exceed 34/35 °C (93/95 °F). The highest record is 42 °C (107.5 °F), set in July 2022. The previous record was 39.6 °C (103.3 °F) and was set in August 2020.
Best Time
The
best time to visit Nantes runs from mid-May to mid-September, since it is the warmest and sunniest period of the year. Sometimes, it can be hot in July and August, while in other circumstances, nights can be cool or even a little cold even in these months, so it can be useful to bring a sweatshirt or sweater and a light jacket for the evening.
Nantes - Climate data
In Nantes, the
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 6.4 °C (43.4 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 19.8 °C (67.7 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Nantes - Average temperatures (1991-2020) Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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January | 3.4 | 9.3 | 6.4 | 38 | 49 | 43.4 |
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February | 3.1 | 10.5 | 6.8 | 38 | 51 | 44.2 |
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March | 4.9 | 13.5 | 9.2 | 41 | 56 | 48.6 |
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April | 6.6 | 16.2 | 11.4 | 44 | 61 | 52.5 |
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May | 9.9 | 19.6 | 14.8 | 50 | 67 | 58.6 |
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June | 12.8 | 23 | 17.9 | 55 | 73 | 64.2 |
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July | 14.3 | 25.1 | 19.7 | 58 | 77 | 67.5 |
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August | 14.3 | 25.4 | 19.8 | 58 | 78 | 67.7 |
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September | 11.8 | 22.4 | 17.1 | 53 | 72 | 62.8 |
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October | 9.5 | 17.6 | 13.6 | 49 | 64 | 56.4 |
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November | 5.9 | 12.9 | 9.4 | 43 | 55 | 48.9 |
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December | 3.7 | 9.8 | 6.8 | 39 | 50 | 44.2 |
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Year | 8.4 | 17.1 | 12.75 | 47.1 | 62.9 | 55 |
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Precipitation amounts to 820 millimeters (32.3 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 45 mm (1.8 in) in the driest months (June, July, August) to 95 mm (3.7 in) in the wettest ones (October, December) Here is the average precipitation.
Nantes - Average precipitationMonth | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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January | 85 | 3.3 | 12 |
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February | 70 | 2.8 | 10 |
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March | 60 | 2.4 | 10 |
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April | 60 | 2.4 | 10 |
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May | 65 | 2.6 | 11 |
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June | 45 | 1.8 | 7 |
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July | 45 | 1.8 | 7 |
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August | 45 | 1.8 | 7 |
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September | 65 | 2.6 | 8 |
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October | 95 | 3.7 | 12 |
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November | 90 | 3.5 | 12 |
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December | 95 | 3.7 | 13 |
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Year | 820 | 32.3 | 119 |
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The
sea temperature ranges from 10 °C (50 °F) in February, March to
Nantes - Sea temperatureMonth | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 11 | 52 | February | 10 | 50 | March | 10 | 50 | April | 11 | 52 | May | 13.5 | 56 | June | 16 | 61 | July | 18 | 64 | August | 19 | 66 | September | 18 | 65 | October | 16.5 | 62 | November | 14.5 | 58 | December | 12.5 | 54 | Year | 14.2 | 57.5 |
There are on average around 1790
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Nantes - Sunshine hoursMonth | Average | Total |
---|
January | 2.5 | 75 | February | 3.5 | 100 | March | 4.5 | 140 | April | 5.5 | 170 | May | 6 | 190 | June | 7 | 205 | July | 7 | 215 | August | 7.5 | 225 | September | 6.5 | 195 | October | 4 | 120 | November | 3 | 85 | December | 2.5 | 75 | Year | 4.9 | 1790 |
Nantes - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.4 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) and a maximum of 9.3 °C (48.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -11.2 °C (11.8 °F) in January 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it reached 18.2 °C (64.8 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 6.8 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 3.1 °C (37.6 °F) and a maximum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.7 °C (14.5 °F) in February 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it reached 22.6 °C (72.7 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (50 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.2 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) and a maximum of 13.5 °C (56.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.6 °C (14.7 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it reached 23.8 °C (74.8 °F) in March 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 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 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (50 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.4 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) and a maximum of 16.2 °C (61.2 °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 -2.8 °C (27 °F) in April 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.8 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 9.9 °C (49.8 °F) and a maximum of 19.6 °C (67.3 °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 0.1 °C (32.2 °F) in May 2016.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 32.8 °C (91 °F) in May 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
June is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.9 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 12.8 °C (55 °F) and a maximum of 23 °C (73.4 °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 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) in June 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 38.6 °C (101.5 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 55 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 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
July is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.7 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 14.3 °C (57.7 °F) and a maximum of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.3 °C (45.1 °F) in July 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 38.8 °C (101.8 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.8 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 14.3 °C (57.7 °F) and a maximum of 25.4 °C (77.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 7.2 °C (45 °F) in August 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 39.6 °C (103.3 °F) in August 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.1 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11.8 °C (53.2 °F) and a maximum of 22.4 °C (72.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.9 °C (37.2 °F) in September 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 33.2 °C (91.8 °F) in September 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 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 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.6 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) and a maximum of 17.6 °C (63.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -3.3 °C (26.1 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 30.2 °C (86.4 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 5.9 °C (42.6 °F) and a maximum of 12.9 °C (55.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.8 °C (19.8 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 21.8 °C (71.2 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 6.8 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) and a maximum of 9.8 °C (49.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9 °C (15.8 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it reached 17.7 °C (63.9 °F) in December 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 35 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.