Climate - Nice (France)

The climate of Nice is Mediterranean, with mild, relatively rainy winters and hot, sunny summers, sometimes sultry, but tempered by the breeze.
The city is located in the department of the Alpes-Maritimes, on the Mediterranean coast, about 20 km (12 miles) from the Italian border.
We are in the French Riviera proper, the one that does not receive the cold and dry wind from the north called Mistral (which blows in the Rhone river valley).
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 9.6 °C (49.3 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 24.5 °C (76 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 740 millimeters (29.1 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 10 mm (0.4 in) in the driest month (July) to 135 mm (5.3 in) in the wettest (October). Occasionally, rain can be intense and concentrated in a few hours, especially in September and October. Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is mild, with sunny periods alternating with rainy periods.
Every now and then, when the wind blows from Russia, there can be cold waves as well.
On the coast, snow is very rare, and snowfalls with accumulation on the ground only occur in the coldest winters. In January 1985, even 38 cm (15 in) of snow fell, while other episodes were less remarkable (10 cm or 4 inches in February 1956 and February 1986, a few centimeters on 1 March 2005, in December 2009 and in February 2010). On the first hills of Nice, however, snow is a little more frequent.
Generally, in the coldest nights of the year, the temperature drops to around 0 °C (32 °F), however, on colder winters, it has dropped to lower values. The coldest record is -7 °C (19.5 °F) and was set in January 1985.
Summer is hot and sunny, with very rare rains.
Nice is quite sheltered from the heat waves of African origin that have recently been affecting France, and generally the temperature does not go above 32/33 °C (90/91 °F) on the hottest days of the year. However, the highest record is 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) and was set in August 2006.



On average, there are around 2,720 sunshine hours per year: the city, like in general the south of France, is very sunny. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature ranges between 13.5 °C (56 °F) and 24 °C (75 °F). The sea is therefore never very warm, but it becomes altogether acceptable for swimming in July and August. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Nice 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.

Nice - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Nice is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.6 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 5.8 °C (42.4 °F) and a maximum of 13.3 °C (55.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -2.1 °C (28.2 °F) in January 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) in January 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% 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.

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In February, the weather in Nice is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.8 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 6.1 °C (43 °F) and a maximum of 13.5 °C (56.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.3 °C (29.7 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 23.3 °C (73.9 °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 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Nice is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.8 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) and a maximum of 15.4 °C (59.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it reached 26.1 °C (79 °F) in March 2007.
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 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
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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In April, the weather in Nice is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.1 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 10.8 °C (51.4 °F) and a maximum of 17.4 °C (63.3 °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 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) in April 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 25.7 °C (78.3 °F) in April 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 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 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Nice is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.8 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) and a maximum of 21 °C (69.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 29.3 °C (84.7 °F) in May 2011.
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 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Nice is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.4 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 18.2 °C (64.8 °F) and a maximum of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it dropped to 10.4 °C (50.7 °F) in June 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in June 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 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 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% 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 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Nice is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 24.2 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F) and a maximum of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63 °F). However, it dropped to 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in July 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 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 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Nice is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 24.5 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 21.1 °C (70 °F) and a maximum of 27.9 °C (82.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it dropped to 15.1 °C (59.2 °F) in August 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) in August 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Nice is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.2 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F) and a maximum of 24.8 °C (76.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) in September 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 33.6 °C (92.5 °F) in September 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 72 mm (2.8 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 67%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Nice is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.5 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 14 °C (57.2 °F) and a maximum of 21 °C (69.8 °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 5.2 °C (41.4 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, it reached 28.5 °C (83.3 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 7 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 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Nice is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.4 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 9.7 °C (49.5 °F) and a maximum of 17 °C (62.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.1 °C (32.2 °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 25.4 °C (77.7 °F) in November 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 7 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 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Nice is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.4 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) and a maximum of 14.1 °C (57.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -1.6 °C (29.1 °F) in December 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 20.9 °C (69.6 °F) in December 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 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 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.