Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
The climate of Tours 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 get 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.
In
winter, from December to February, the average temperatures are quite low: normally, the maximum temperatures are around 7/8 °C (45/46 °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 Tours, the temperature rarely drops to around -10 °C (14 °F), though this may happen on colder winters. The coldest record is -18.5 °C (-1.3 °F) and was set in December 1964.
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 Tours 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 40.8 °C (105.4 °F) and was set in July 2019.
Best Time
The
best time to visit Tours 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.
Tours - Climate data
In Tours, the
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 5.2 °C (41.3 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 20.2 °C (68.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Tours - Average temperatures (1991-2020) Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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January | 2.6 | 7.7 | 5.2 | 37 | 46 | 41.3 |
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February | 2.3 | 9 | 5.6 | 36 | 48 | 42.2 |
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March | 4.3 | 12.9 | 8.6 | 40 | 55 | 47.5 |
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April | 6.1 | 16 | 11 | 43 | 61 | 51.9 |
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May | 9.5 | 19.6 | 14.6 | 49 | 67 | 58.2 |
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June | 12.6 | 23.4 | 18 | 55 | 74 | 64.4 |
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July | 14.5 | 25.9 | 20.2 | 58 | 79 | 68.4 |
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August | 14.3 | 26 | 20.2 | 58 | 79 | 68.3 |
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September | 11.4 | 22.1 | 16.8 | 53 | 72 | 62.2 |
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October | 9 | 17 | 13 | 48 | 63 | 55.4 |
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November | 5.3 | 11.4 | 8.4 | 42 | 53 | 47 |
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December | 2.9 | 8.2 | 5.6 | 37 | 47 | 42 |
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Year | 7.9 | 16.6 | 12.25 | 46.3 | 62 | 54 |
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Precipitation amounts to 695 millimeters (27.4 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 45 mm (1.8 in) in the driest months (June, August) to 70 mm (2.8 in) in the wettest ones (October, November, December) Here is the average precipitation.
Tours - Average precipitationMonth | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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January | 65 | 2.6 | 12 |
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February | 55 | 2.2 | 10 |
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March | 50 | 2 | 10 |
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April | 55 | 2.2 | 10 |
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May | 60 | 2.4 | 10 |
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June | 45 | 1.8 | 7 |
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July | 55 | 2.2 | 7 |
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August | 45 | 1.8 | 6 |
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September | 55 | 2.2 | 8 |
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October | 70 | 2.8 | 11 |
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November | 70 | 2.8 | 11 |
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December | 70 | 2.8 | 11 |
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Year | 695 | 27.4 | 112 |
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There are on average around 1835
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Tours - Sunshine hoursMonth | Average | Total |
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January | 2.5 | 70 | February | 3 | 90 | March | 4.5 | 145 | April | 6 | 180 | May | 6.5 | 205 | June | 7.5 | 230 | July | 7.5 | 240 | August | 7.5 | 235 | September | 6 | 185 | October | 4 | 120 | November | 2.5 | 75 | December | 2 | 60 | Year | 5 | 1835 |
Tours - 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 5.2 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 2.6 °C (36.7 °F) and a maximum of 7.7 °C (45.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13 °C (8.6 °F) in January 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it reached 15.9 °C (60.6 °F) in January 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 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 15 kph (9 mph).
February is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.6 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 2.3 °C (36.1 °F) and a maximum of 9 °C (48.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.2 °C (10 °F) in February 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it reached 22.1 °C (71.8 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 8.6 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 4.3 °C (39.7 °F) and a maximum of 12.9 °C (55.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.3 °C (13.5 °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 23.7 °C (74.7 °F) in March 1996.
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 4.5 hours of sunshine 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 15 kph (9 mph).
April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 6.1 °C (43 °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 0 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.4 °C (25.9 °F) in April 1991.
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 29.2 °C (84.6 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.6 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 9.5 °C (49.1 °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 3.5 °C (38 °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 31.8 °C (89.2 °F) in May 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 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).
June is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F) and a maximum of 23.4 °C (74.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 2.8 °C (37 °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 38.9 °C (102 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 55 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 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.2 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 14.5 °C (58.1 °F) and a maximum of 25.9 °C (78.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) in July 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 40.8 °C (105.4 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
August is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.2 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 14.3 °C (57.7 °F) and a maximum of 26 °C (78.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 39.8 °C (103.6 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.8 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 11.4 °C (52.5 °F) and a maximum of 22.1 °C (71.8 °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 2.7 °C (36.9 °F) in September 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 35.1 °C (95.2 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 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 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 9 °C (48.2 °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 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.3 °C (27.9 °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 28.7 °C (83.7 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 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 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
November is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.4 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 5.3 °C (41.5 °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 -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.1 °C (19.2 °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 22.3 °C (72.1 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 27% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
December is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.6 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 2.9 °C (37.2 °F) and a maximum of 8.2 °C (46.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.8 °C (12.6 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it reached 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) in December 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 30 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 89%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).