Climate - Poitiers (France)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Poitiers
The climate of Poitiers is temperate and influenced by the Atlantic Ocean: it is quite cold in winter and pleasantly warm in summer. However, it has some continental characteristics too, so it can sometimes get very cold in winter and hot in summer.
The city is located in the west of France, in Poitou-Charentes, about 115 km (70 miles) north-east of La Rochelle.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 5.1 °C (41.2 °F), that of the warmest months (July and August) is of 20 °C (68 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Poitiers - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 2.1 | 8.2 | 5.1 | 36 | 47 | 41.3 |
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| February | 1.5 | 9.6 | 5.6 | 35 | 49 | 42 |
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| March | 3.5 | 13.4 | 8.4 | 38 | 56 | 47.2 |
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| April | 5.4 | 16.3 | 10.9 | 42 | 61 | 51.5 |
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| May | 8.9 | 20 | 14.4 | 48 | 68 | 58 |
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| June | 12.1 | 23.7 | 17.9 | 54 | 75 | 64.2 |
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| July | 13.8 | 26.1 | 20 | 57 | 79 | 67.9 |
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| August | 13.7 | 26.3 | 20 | 57 | 79 | 68 |
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| September | 10.7 | 22.5 | 16.6 | 51 | 72 | 61.9 |
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| October | 8.6 | 17.5 | 13 | 47 | 64 | 55.5 |
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| November | 4.7 | 12 | 8.4 | 40 | 54 | 47 |
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| December | 2.4 | 8.7 | 5.6 | 36 | 48 | 42 |
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| Year | 7.3 | 17.1 | 12.15 | 45.2 | 62.7 | 54 |
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Precipitation amounts to 685 millimeters (27 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 40 mm (1.6 in) in the driest month (August) to 75 mm (3 in) in the wettest ones (October, November). Here is the average precipitation.
Poitiers - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 60 | 2.4 | 11 |
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| February | 45 | 1.8 | 9 |
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| March | 45 | 1.8 | 9 |
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| April | 55 | 2.2 | 10 |
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| May | 65 | 2.6 | 11 |
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| June | 50 | 2 | 8 |
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| July | 50 | 2 | 7 |
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| August | 40 | 1.6 | 6 |
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| September | 50 | 2 | 7 |
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| October | 75 | 3 | 11 |
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| November | 75 | 3 | 11 |
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| December | 70 | 2.8 | 11 |
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| Year | 685 | 27 | 109 |
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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.
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 Poitiers, the temperature rarely drops to around -10 °C (14 °F), though this may happen on colder winters. The coldest record is -18 °C (-0.4 °F) and was set in January 1985.
Summer, from June to August, is a pleasantly warm season: the days are 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).
Really hot days in Poitiers 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. However, the highest record, 40.8 °C (105.4 °F), was set in July 1947. In 2022, the temperature reached 39 °C (102 °F) in June and 40 °C (104 °F) in July.
On average, there are around 1,890 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Poitiers - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 2 | 70 | February | 3.5 | 95 | March | 5 | 155 | April | 6 | 175 | May | 6.5 | 205 | June | 8 | 235 | July | 8 | 245 | August | 8 | 240 | September | 6.5 | 195 | October | 4 | 130 | November | 3 | 85 | December | 2 | 65 | Year | 5.2 | 1890 |
Best Time
The best time to visit Poitiers 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.
Poitiers - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Poitiers is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.2 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 2.1 °C (35.8 °F) and a maximum of 8.2 °C (46.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21 °F). However, it dropped to -12.5 °C (9.5 °F) in January 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it reached 16.2 °C (61.2 °F) in January 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 2 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 15 kph (9 mph).
In February, the weather in Poitiers is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.6 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 1.5 °C (34.7 °F) and a maximum of 9.6 °C (49.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13.2 °C (8.2 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 23.4 °C (74.1 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
In March, the weather in Poitiers is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.4 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) and a maximum of 13.4 °C (56.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13.1 °C (8.4 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) in March 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
In April, the weather in Poitiers is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.8 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 5.4 °C (41.7 °F) and a maximum of 16.3 °C (61.3 °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 -5.6 °C (21.9 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 29.3 °C (84.7 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
In May, the weather in Poitiers is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.4 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 8.9 °C (48 °F) and a maximum of 20 °C (68 °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 -1.2 °C (29.8 °F) in May 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in May 2005.
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 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
In June, the weather in Poitiers is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.9 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 12.1 °C (53.8 °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 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) in June 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 50 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 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
In July, the weather in Poitiers is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.0 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 13.8 °C (56.8 °F) and a maximum of 26.1 °C (79 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.7 °C (42.3 °F) in July 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Poitiers is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 13.7 °C (56.7 °F) and a maximum of 26.3 °C (79.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46 °F). However, it dropped to 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 39.6 °C (103.3 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
In September, the weather in Poitiers is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.6 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 10.7 °C (51.3 °F) and a maximum of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to 0.8 °C (33.4 °F) in September 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 35.4 °C (95.7 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 7 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 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
In October, the weather in Poitiers is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.0 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 8.6 °C (47.5 °F) and a maximum of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.5 °C (20.3 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 30.2 °C (86.4 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 11 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 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
In November, the weather in Poitiers is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.4 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 4.7 °C (40.5 °F) and a maximum of 12 °C (53.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (26 °F). However, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 22.9 °C (73.2 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
In December, the weather in Poitiers is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.6 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 2.4 °C (36.3 °F) and a maximum of 8.7 °C (47.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22 °F). However, it dropped to -12.5 °C (9.5 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in December 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 11 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 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
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