Climate - Paris (France)

Paris: Temperatures - Precipitation - Sunshine hours - Best time - Weather by month


The climate of Paris and the region of Île-de-France 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.
Paris is the capital of France and is located in the north of the country, at almost 49 degrees north latitude.
At Orly airport, the average temperature ranges from 4.6 °C (40.3 °F) in January to 20.5 °C (68.5 °F) in July. Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation is not abundant, since it amounts to 650 millimeters (26 inches) per year, but it is well distributed over the seasons, however, the rains are slightly less frequent in summer. Here is the average precipitation.

In winter, from December to February, the average temperatures are quite low: normally, the maximum temperatures are around 8/9 °C (46/48 °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 Paris, the temperature rarely drops to around -10 °C (14 °F), though this may happen on colder winters: in January 1985, the temperature dropped to -18 °C (0 °F) at the airport of Le Bourget.

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.
Very hot days in Paris 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 record heat is 42 °C (107.5 °F), set in July 2019. In August 2003, the temperature exceeded 35 °C (95 °F) for 11 days in a row, and reached 40 °C (104 °F). In 2022, the temperature reached 36 °C (97 °F) in June, 40.3 °C (104.5 °F) in July and 36 °C (97 °F) in August.

Spring and autumn are cool and unstable, characterized by the passage of Atlantic depressions and by temperature changes. In spring, from March to May, the return of cold weather is possible, with short snowfalls in March and sometimes even in April. Sometimes, it's cold still in early May, with highs around 10 °C (50 °F), while in the course of the month, the temperature can reach and even exceed 25 °C (77 °F). Autumn, from September to November, is characterized by a gradual increase of cloudy and rainy periods; usually, it gets cold by November or late October.



The amount of sunshine in Paris is decent from April to September, and scarce from November to February, when cloudy skies prevail. On average, there are 1,660 hours of sunshine per year.

Best Time

The best time to visit Paris is from mid-May to mid-September, and in particular, from mid-May to mid-June, when the days are long, nature is in bloom and there is a low risk of excessive heat (not by chance, the tennis tournament of "Roland Garros" takes place in the last week of May and the first week of June). However, in this period, but even in mid-summer (July and August), it can rain and it can get cool at night, so it may be useful to bring a sweatshirt or sweater and a light jacket, as well as a raincoat or umbrella.
It must also be said that from late June to late August, it can sometimes be very hot.
Although the Easter period is a possibility, this time of the year can be quite chilly.

Paris - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Paris is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.6 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 1.7 °C (35 °F) and a maximum of 7.6 °C (45.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13.3 °C (8.1 °F) in January 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it reached 16.5 °C (61.7 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 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 23% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 mph).

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In February, the weather in Paris is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.2 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 1.6 °C (34.9 °F) and a maximum of 8.8 °C (47.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.3 °C (9.9 °F) in February 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 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 28% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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In March, the weather in Paris is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.3 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 3.8 °C (38.9 °F) and a maximum of 12.8 °C (55.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.4 °C (15.1 °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 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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In April, the weather in Paris is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.3 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 6 °C (42.8 °F) and a maximum of 16.6 °C (61.8 °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 °C (28.4 °F) in April 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it reached 28.7 °C (83.7 °F) in April 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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In May, the weather in Paris is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.9 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 9.6 °C (49.3 °F) and a maximum of 20.3 °C (68.5 °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 0.4 °C (32.7 °F) in May 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in May 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 10 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 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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In June, the weather in Paris is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.2 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12.8 °C (55 °F) and a maximum of 23.7 °C (74.7 °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 3.1 °C (37.6 °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 °F). However, it reached 37.1 °C (98.8 °F) in June 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 9 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 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Paris is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 14.7 °C (58.5 °F) and a maximum of 26.3 °C (79.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 41.9 °C (107.4 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 40 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 64%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In August, the weather in Paris is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.2 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 14.4 °C (57.8 °F) and a maximum of 26.1 °C (79 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in August 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In September, the weather in Paris is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 11.2 °C (52.1 °F) and a maximum of 21.8 °C (71.3 °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 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) in September 2012.
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 34.4 °C (93.9 °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 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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In October, the weather in Paris is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8.2 °C (46.7 °F) and a maximum of 16.7 °C (62 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °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 (74.5 °F). However, it reached 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 9 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 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In November, the weather in Paris is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.9 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 4.6 °C (40.4 °F) and a maximum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -8.3 °C (17.1 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 21.8 °C (71.2 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In December, the weather in Paris is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.2 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 2.2 °C (36 °F) and a maximum of 8.1 °C (46.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °F). However, it dropped to -10.1 °C (13.8 °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 °C (62.6 °F) in December 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 20 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 20% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).