Weather and climate in Orleans (France)

The climate of Orléans is temperate and influenced by the Atlantic Ocean: it is quite cold but not freezing in winter and pleasantly warm in summer. However, it has some continental characteristics too, so it can sometimes be very cold in winter and hot in summer.
The city is crossed by the Loire River and is located in north-central France, in the Centre-Val de Loire region.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 4.4 °C (40 °F), that of the warmest months (July and August) is of 19.7 °C (67.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 640 millimeters (25.2 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 45 mm (1.8 in) in the driest months (February, March, June) to 65 mm (2.6 in) in the wettest ones (May, October). Here is the average precipitation.

In winter, from December to February, the average temperatures are quite low: normally, the maximum temperatures are around 6/8 °C (43/46 °F).
When Atlantic currents prevail, the temperature can become mild and can even reach 13/14 °C (55/57 °F), but the weather in these cases is cloudy and rainy; in these periods, the wind blows frequently, and sometimes can be strong.
On the other hand, there can be cold periods due to north or north-east currents, which are able to lower the temperature to the freezing point (0 °C or 32 °F) or a few degrees above; in these situations, the feeling of cold can be exacerbated by the wind, which blows moderate, usually from the northeast.
The coldest periods occur under the influence of cold air masses from Russia, which can lead to a few days of snow, generally not abundant, and frost.
In Orléans, the temperature rarely drops to around -10 °C (14 °F), though this may happen on colder winters. The coldest record is -20 °C (-4 °F) and was set in January 1940.
Summer, from June to August, is a pleasantly warm season: the days are very long, and the temperature generally lends itself to outdoor activities. However, the weather is variable: there are some cool and rainy days due to Atlantic fronts, when the maximum temperature remains below 20 °C (68 °F), while on other occasions, the Azores High can bring some hot and sunny days, maybe a little sultry, with highs around or even above 30 °C (86 °F); in these cases, some thunderstorms can erupt in the afternoon.
Really hot days in Orléans are quite rare, though sometimes they may occur because of hot air masses from Africa. In recent decades, heat waves are becoming more frequent due to global warming. The highest record is 41.3 °C (106.3 °F) and was set in July 2019.



On average, there are around 1,770 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

The best time to visit Orléans 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.

Orleans - 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 4.4 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 1.7 °C (35.1 °F) and a maximum of 7.1 °C (44.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -13.8 °C (7.2 °F) in January 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it reached 15.9 °C (60.6 °F) in January 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 24% of the time.
The average humidity is 89%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).

---

February is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.9 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 1.3 °C (34.3 °F) and a maximum of 8.5 °C (47.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -16.4 °C (2.5 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it reached 21.9 °C (71.4 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).

---

March is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.0 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) and a maximum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.9 °C (8.8 °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 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 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 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).

---

April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.6 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 5.2 °C (41.4 °F) and a maximum of 16 °C (60.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -4.2 °C (24.4 °F) in April 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

---

May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.2 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 8.8 °C (47.8 °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 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.2 °C (31.6 °F) in May 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 32.7 °C (90.9 °F) in May 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

---

June is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.5 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 11.9 °C (53.4 °F) and a maximum of 23.1 °C (73.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 0.8 °C (33.4 °F) in June 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 36.9 °C (98.4 °F) in June 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 5 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 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).

---

July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.7 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) and a maximum of 25.8 °C (78.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.8 °C (42.4 °F) in July 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 41.3 °C (106.3 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

---

August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.7 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) and a maximum of 25.8 °C (78.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46 °F). However, it dropped to 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) in August 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 39.9 °C (103.8 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

---

September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.1 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) and a maximum of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1.8 °C (35.2 °F) in September 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 34.5 °C (94.1 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

---

October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8.2 °C (46.8 °F) and a maximum of 16.5 °C (61.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.4 °C (25.9 °F) in October 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 28.9 °C (84 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

---

November is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.7 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) and a maximum of 10.9 °C (51.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.3 °C (17.1 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 21.6 °C (70.9 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 89%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

---

December is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.8 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 2.1 °C (35.8 °F) and a maximum of 7.6 °C (45.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.1 °C (10.2 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it reached 17.8 °C (64 °F) in December 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 25 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 22% of the time.
The average humidity is 90%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).