Climate - Saint Etienne (France)

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The climate of Saint-Étienne is temperate, with quite cold winters and warm summers.
The city is located in central-eastern France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, at an altitude of 500/650 meters (1,600/2,130 feet), in an area of hills and low mountains east of the Massif Central.
The weather station at Saint-Étienne-Bouthéon airport is at 400 meters (1,300 ft), so it provides somewhat higher temperatures, especially in summer.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 3.8 °C (38.8 °F), that of the warmest months (July and August) is of 20.6 °C (69.1 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 720 millimeters (28.3 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 30 mm (1.2 in) in the driest month (February) to 90 mm (3.5 in) in the wettest (May). Here is the average precipitation.

The winter is quite cold. There may be relatively mild periods, when Atlantic currents prevail, cold and humid periods in which fogs and low clouds form, and other colder periods, when the temperature drops below freezing.
Sometimes it can even snow. Due to the altitude and the mountains to the west (the Massif Central) which partially protect it from Atlantic currents, but also to the proximity of the Pilat massif to the east, Saint-Étienne is the snowiest city in France. In the city center, at 650 meters (2,130 ft) above sea level, there are on average 24 days with snow per year, for a total of 80 cm (31.5 in).
At times, there can be cold spells, in which temperatures can drop as low as -10 °C (14 °F) or even below. The coldest record is -25.6 °C (-14.1 °F) and was set in January 1971.
In summer, the temperatures are generally pleasant and lend themselves to outdoor activities, although sometimes there can be rains and thunderstorms.
At times, hot periods can occur, which in recent years are becoming more frequent due to global warming, and in which the temperature can exceed 32 °C (90 °F). The highest record is 41.1 °C (106 °F) and was set in July 2015.



On average, there are around 1,990 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

The best time to visit Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint Etienne - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Saint Etienne is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.8 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 0.3 °C (32.5 °F) and a maximum of 7.3 °C (45.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8 °C (17.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13.9 °C (7 °F) in January 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (60.5 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in January 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 3 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In February, the weather in Saint Etienne is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.5 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 0.2 °C (32.4 °F) and a maximum of 8.8 °C (47.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19 °F). However, it dropped to -15.7 °C (3.7 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 22.2 °C (72 °F) in February 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 4 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In March, the weather in Saint Etienne is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.8 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 2.6 °C (36.7 °F) and a maximum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13.8 °C (7.2 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 25.4 °C (77.7 °F) in March 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In April, the weather in Saint Etienne is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.6 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 5 °C (41 °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 -2 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °F) in April 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, it reached 28.7 °C (83.7 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In May, the weather in Saint Etienne is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.6 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 9 °C (48.2 °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 2.5 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -1.4 °C (29.5 °F) in May 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 33.7 °C (92.7 °F) in May 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In June, the weather in Saint Etienne is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.6 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F) and a maximum of 24.5 °C (76.1 °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 2.6 °C (36.7 °F) in June 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 35 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Saint Etienne is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.6 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 14.4 °C (57.9 °F) and a maximum of 26.9 °C (80.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.3 °C (41.5 °F) in July 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 41.1 °C (106 °F) in July 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 9 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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In August, the weather in Saint Etienne is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.6 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) and a maximum of 26.9 °C (80.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (46 °F). However, it dropped to 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) in August 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 39.3 °C (102.7 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In September, the weather in Saint Etienne is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.4 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 10.7 °C (51.3 °F) and a maximum of 22.2 °C (72 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.4 °C (32.7 °F) in September 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 34.2 °C (93.6 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In October, the weather in Saint Etienne is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.7 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.6 °F) and a maximum of 17.3 °C (63.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -5.9 °C (21.4 °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 29.2 °C (84.6 °F) in October 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In November, the weather in Saint Etienne is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.6 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) and a maximum of 11.4 °C (52.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.2 °C (13.6 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 3 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In December, the weather in Saint Etienne is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.6 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 1.1 °C (34 °F) and a maximum of 8 °C (46.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.4 °C (9.7 °F) in December 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it reached 19.5 °C (67.1 °F) in December 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 50 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).