Weather and climate in Ushant (Brittany)

The climate of Ushant is generally cool and wet, rainy and windy all year round, but especially in autumn and winter.
Ushant (Ouessant in French, Eusa in Breton) is a small island to the west of Brittany, in the westernmost point of France, in a position that makes the climate particularly mild.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 8.3 °C (47 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 16.8 °C (62 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 820 millimeters (32.3 inches) per year. It ranges from 45 mm (1.8 in) in the driest month (June) to 100 mm (3.9 in) in the wettest (November). The rains are frequent especially from October to March. Here is the average precipitation.

The winter is much milder than in mainland France. On the other hand, the sky is often cloudy, the humidity is high and there are periods when the wind blows moderate or strong. The rains are frequent.
Generally, the island is sheltered from the cold waves that can affect France. However, there may be cold periods from time to time, in which the temperature drops to about freezing, and it can even snow. Generally, the temperature does not drop below freezing even on the coldest days of the year. However, the temperature dropped to -3 °C (26.5 °F) in January 1985, to -7.5 °C (18.5 °F) in January 1987, to -4 °C (25 °F) in February 1991, to -2.5 °C (27.5) in January 1997, to -1 °C (30 °F) in February 2012, and to -3 °C (26.5 °F) in late February 2018.
In summer, temperatures are generally cool. It can also rain, but less often than in winter.
Hot days are very rare: generally, the temperature reaches 24/25 °C (75/77 °F) on the warmest days of the year. Ouessant is practically sheltered from heat waves. The temperature reached 29.5 °C (85 °F) in August 1990 and in August 2003 (when it exceeded 25 °C or 77 °F for only two days), and 28 °C (82.5 °F) in July 2006 and in late June 2015. In July 2022 it exceeded 30 °C (86 °F) for the first time, reaching 31.5 °C (88.7 °F).



On average, there are around 1,530 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.


The sea temperature ranges between 10 °C (50 °F) and 17 °C (63 °F). So, it never becomes warm for swimming. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Ushant runs from mid-May to mid-September, since it is the mildest and sunniest period of the year. Sometimes, 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.

Ushant - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 8.7 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 6.9 °C (44.4 °F) and a maximum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -2.5 °C (27.5 °F) in January 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it reached 15 °C (59 °F) in January 1900.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 16 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 22% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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February, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.4 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 6.5 °C (43.7 °F) and a maximum of 10.3 °C (50.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in February 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it reached 16.6 °C (61.9 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 27% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 7.3 °C (45.1 °F) and a maximum of 11.4 °C (52.5 °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 -0.8 °C (30.6 °F) in March 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it reached 18.4 °C (65.1 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 12 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 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.6 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 8.3 °C (46.9 °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 5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1.9 °C (35.4 °F) in April 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) in April 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.6 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 10.2 °C (50.4 °F) and a maximum of 15 °C (59 °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 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) in May 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 24.1 °C (75.4 °F) in May 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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June is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.8 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) and a maximum of 17.2 °C (63 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.9 °C (46.2 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 27.7 °C (81.9 °F) in June 2015.
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 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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July is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.4 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 13.9 °C (57 °F) and a maximum of 19 °C (66.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 9.8 °C (49.6 °F) in July 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 28.2 °C (82.8 °F) in July 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.8 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 14.1 °C (57.4 °F) and a maximum of 19.4 °C (66.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) in August 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73 °F). However, it reached 29.3 °C (84.7 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.6 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F) and a maximum of 18 °C (64.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) in September 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 26.2 °C (79.2 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 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 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.6 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 11.6 °C (52.9 °F) and a maximum of 15.7 °C (60.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 5.3 °C (41.5 °F) in October 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 24.3 °C (75.7 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.2 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) and a maximum of 13 °C (55.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it reached 18.1 °C (64.6 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 17 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 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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December is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 7.6 °C (45.7 °F) and a maximum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to -0.3 °C (31.5 °F) in December 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it reached 16 °C (60.8 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 16 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 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (54 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.