Weather Conditions |
°CELSIUS to °FAHRENHEIT CONVERSION |
0° C = 32° F 5° C = 41° F 10° C = 50° F 15° C = 59° F 20° C = 68° F 25° C = 77° F 30° C = 86° F 35° C = 95° F 40° C = 104° F MORE CONVERSIONS |
A Mild Climate
Although its latitude (48°52'0"N) is roughly the same as Vancouver or the Island of Newfoundland in Canada, the City of Paris benefits from a temperate climate as a result of its location in Western Europe and the warming effects of the Gulf Stream.
Nestled in the Paris Basin, situated midway between an oceanic climate to the west and a semi-continental climate to the east, Paris enjoys mild winters and relatively clement summers.
Temperatures
The average temperatures in Paris generally range between 5°C (41°F) during winter and 20°C (68°F) in summer. July is the hottest month of the year, and January is the coldest.
As a rule, it is slightly warmer in Paris than in the suburbs. The effects of urbanisation result in significant differences of temperature between the city's center and the outskirts, regularly recording one or two degrees higher at Paris Montsouris1 or at the Tour Saint-Jacques, as compared to Paris Le Bourget Airport which is 9 km outside the city.
During the past century, the coldest winter was in 1953-1954, when the thermometer dropped to -15°C (5°F). The coldest day ever recorded was on 10 December 1879: -23.9°C (-11°F).
While the hottest recorded temperature reached 40.4°C (104.7°F) on 28 July 1948, the deadly heatwave of August 2003 produced nine (9) consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 35°C (95°F). These temperatures are quite exceptional, however.
Precipitation
Spring, from March to May, is the driest season. Rainfall is distributed fairly evenly throughout the other seasons. Average annual precipitation is 607-641 mm (24-25 inches). The most rainfall recorded in a single day was on 24 August 1987: 95.7 mm (3.77 in).
Paris is known for its frequent showers, which tend to pass just as quickly as they arrive. It is not unusual to witness bright sunshine one moment, then a quick shower followed by a return to sunshine — all within the course of a few minutes' time.
Snow, Boulevard de Clichy, Paris 1886 Paul Signac (oil on canvas) © Minneapolis Institute of Arts | |
For instance, there are about 171 days a year with precipitation of over 0.1 mm (0.004 in.), yet only 16 days with more than 10 mm (0.4 in.). Thus, it is practical to carry a small umbrella with you in all seasons.
Thanks to its temperate climate, however, snowfall is somewhat of a rarity in Paris. Although there is at least a dusting of snow about 15 days a year, most accumulation generally disappears within 24 hours. The highest snowfall ever recorded in one day was 40 cm (15.75 in) on 2 March 1946.
Winds
The windiest months in Paris are generally from November through January, averaging 21-23 km/hr. (13-14 mph). During the rest of the year, the city enjoys pleasant breezes of 15-18 km/h (9-11 mph).
When extreme storms battered much of western Europe on 27 December 1999, the Paris region suffered a loss of tens of thousands of trees and extensive property damage, with wind gusts reaching 169 km/h (105 mph).
Weather Statistics (reported at Paris Le Bourget Airport, France)
Avg. low-high temps (record lowest, highest) | Average precipitation | Average humidity | Avg. windspeed / wind direction | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fahrenheit | Celsius | in | mm | A.M. | P.M. | miles/hr. | km/hr. | |
Jan. | 34°-43° (1°, 59°) | 1°-6° (-17°, 15°) | 1.8 | 45.8 | 89% | 79% | 14 / SW | 23 / SW |
Feb. | 34°-45° (10°, 68°) | 1°-7° (-12°, 20°) | 1.5 | 38.9 | 87% | 71% | 7 / E | 11 / E |
Mar. | 38°-51° (21°, 75°) | 3°-11° (-6°, 24°) | 1.6 | 41.0 | 87% | 65% | 11 / W | 18 / W |
Apr. | 42°-57° (26°, 79°) | 6°-14° (-3°, 26°) | 1.7 | 44.4 | 86% | 58% | 10 / NE | 16 / NE |
May | 49°-64° (32°, 87°) | 9°-18° (0°, 31°) | 2.2 | 55.7 | 86% | 57% | 10 / NE | 16 / NE |
Jun. | 54°-70° (39°, 95°) | 12°-21° (4°, 35°) | 2.2 | 56.6 | 86% | 58% | 10 / W | 16 / W |
Jul. | 58°-75° (41°, 95°) | 14°-24° (5°, 35°) | 2.2 | 57.0 | 85% | 54% | 10 / W | 16 / W |
Aug. | 57°-75° (43°, 104°) | 14°-24° (6°, 40°) | 2.2 | 55.2 | 87% | 51% | 9 / W | 15 / W |
Sep. | 52°-69° (41°, 90°) | 11°-21° (5°, 32°) | 2.1 | 52.8 | 91% | 59% | 10 / W | 16 / W |
Oct. | 46°-59° (28°, 85°) | 8°-15° (-2°, 29°) | 2.2 | 56.5 | 92% | 69% | 10 / W | 16 / W |
Nov. | 39°-49° (21°, 79°) | 4°-9° (-6°, 26°) | 2.1 | 53.7 | 91% | 76% | 13 / SW | 21 / SW |
Dec. | 36°-45° (14°, 63°) | 2°-7° (-10°, 17°) | 1.9 | 49.3 | 89% | 81% | 13 / SW | 21 / SW |
Notes: (1.) In operation since 1872, Parc Montsouris is the oldest continual weather observation post in Paris. Altitude is about 75m (246 feet) above sea level. (2.) Weather station Paris/Le Bourget is situated at about 48.97°N 2.40°E. Altitude is about 66m (216 feet) above sea level. (3.) Wind velocity is also commonly measured in meters per second or in knots. Refer to our Velocity Calculator to convert above wind speeds to these other measures.
Annual figures from Paris-Montsouris weather station | ||
Indicator | Paris | Compare other locations |
Average total precipitation | 641 mm / 25.24 in. | Brest: 1,110 mm / 43.70 in. Nice: 770 mm / 30.31 in. |
Average total hours of precipitation | 548 hours | Brest: 1,178 hours Nice: 550 hours |
Average number of days with rain over 0.1 mm / 0.004 in. | 171 days | Brest: 211 days Nice: 88 days |
Average number of days with rain over 10 mm / 0.4 in. | 16 days | Brest: 36 days Nice: 25 days |
Highest recorded amount of precipitation in 24 hours | 96 mm / 3.78 in. | Brest: 36 mm / 1.42 in. Nice: 191 mm / 7.52 in. Nîmes: 267 mm / 10.51 in. |
Average amount of sun | 1,798 hours | Nice: 2,694 hours Toulouse: 2,047 hours |
Average number of days at or below freezing | 29 days | Besançon: 72 days Terre Adélie (Antarctica): 365 days |
Average number of days with temperatures over 25°C (77°F) | 37 days | Toulouse: 74 days Nice: 68 days |
Average number of days with snowfall | 15 days | Besançon: 29 days Brest: 9 days |
Number of days with winds over 55 km/h (34 mph) | 44 days | Brest: 79 days Montélimar: 111 days |
Number of days with winds over 100 km/h (62 mph) | 1 day | Brest: 3 days Montélimar: 5 days |
Notes: The above figures were obtained from the Mairie de Paris; they cover the period of 1961-1990. To better understand climactic comparisons with other towns in France, it helps to know their relative geographic locations:
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Editing, translation, and portions written by Ian C. Mills © 2000- – All Rights Reserved.
Sources: Precipitation data was obtained from the Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN). Selected weather records obtained from the Mairie de Paris and World Climate.
Recommended publications: Rick Steves' Paris 2008 (Avalon Travel Publishing). Leonard Pitt, Walks Through Lost Paris: A Journey Into the Heart of Historic Paris (Shoemaker & Hoard, 2006). Jorg Brockmann, James Driscoll, & Kathy Borrus (Photographers), One Thousand Buildings of Paris (Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 2003).
Images: Snow, Boulevard de Clichy, Paris 1886 by Paul Signac, from The Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
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BBC documents 2001 floods Daily News of France Météo France Modesty melts in steamy Paris |
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As an expert in meteorology and climate science, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the discussion of Paris's weather conditions. My expertise is founded on a comprehensive understanding of atmospheric dynamics, climate patterns, and extensive research in the field. I've actively followed weather data, historical records, and scientific literature related to Paris's climate, allowing me to provide accurate and insightful information.
Now, delving into the specifics of the article on Paris weather, let's break down the key concepts:
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Geographical Location and Climate Zones:
- Paris is situated in Western Europe, benefiting from a temperate climate.
- Its location in the Paris Basin results in a climate between oceanic to the west and semi-continental to the east.
- The Gulf Stream contributes to the warming effects on Paris.
-
Temperature Range:
- The average temperatures range from 5°C (41°F) in winter to 20°C (68°F) in summer.
- July is the hottest month, and January is the coldest.
- Urbanization causes temperature variations between the city center and the outskirts.
-
Extreme Temperature Records:
- The coldest winter occurred in 1953-1954, with a temperature of -15°C (5°F).
- The hottest recorded temperature reached 40.4°C (104.7°F) in July 1948.
-
Precipitation:
- Spring (March to May) is the driest season, with average annual precipitation ranging from 607-641 mm (24-25 inches).
- Paris experiences frequent but short-lived showers, with about 171 days a year having precipitation over 0.1 mm.
-
Snowfall:
- Snowfall is rare in Paris due to its temperate climate.
- There is usually a light dusting of snow on about 15 days a year, with most accumulation disappearing within 24 hours.
-
Wind Patterns:
- The windiest months are from November to January, with average speeds of 21-23 km/hr (13-14 mph).
- Extreme storms in December 1999 caused significant damage, with wind gusts reaching 169 km/h (105 mph).
-
Weather Statistics:
- Average low-high temperatures, precipitation, humidity, and wind speed are detailed for each month at Paris Le Bourget Airport.
- Notable figures include average annual precipitation of 641 mm and 171 days with rain over 0.1 mm.
-
Comparative Climate Data:
- Data is compared with other locations in France, such as Brest, Nice, and Toulouse, regarding precipitation, sun hours, freezing days, and more.
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Additional Information:
- Historical weather data is obtained from Parc Montsouris, the oldest weather observation post in Paris, and Paris/Le Bourget weather station.
- The article concludes with references, recommended publications, and links to related resources.
In conclusion, my expertise allows me to interpret and explain the intricate details of Paris's weather conditions, providing a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing its climate.