In general the Languedoc climate is Mediteranean,
with hot dry summers, rainy winters, and moderate springs
and autumns. You can expect to get 300 days of
sunshine a year in the Languedoc, but the region covers
a large area, and for various reasons the weather can vary
considerably within its borders.
After Corsica, the Languedoc-Roussillon region is the hottest
in France, with average annual temperatures between 13.5°C
and 15°C. Eus a town in the Pyrénées-Orientales
département (one of the "plus beaux villages"
in France) is the sunniest spot in the whole country.
The coastline, sheltered by mountains, tends to be sunnier
than and warmer than the inland areas. The mountains
of course tend to be cooler, and valleys damper.
The coastal plains of the Languedoc rarely freeze in winter
due to the influence of the Mediterranean
Sea. Summer temperatures are frequently in the eighties
(30C +). Generally, the inland temperatures are
a few degrees cooler in winter and a few degrees warmer
in summer. Nîmes,
reputed to be the hottest city in France, recorded a shade
temperature of 43C (110F) in 2001. On the Languedoc plains
the rainfall is about 28 inches a year. Summer
rain is infrequent and the days are long and dry. Heavy
rains come in autumn and sometimes in spring.
The Languedoc weather is some of the most extreme in France.
The Languedoc has not only the hottest summers, but also
the highest winds. It has spectacular lightning storms,
hailstorms that can strip a car of its paint, and occasional
floods. In September 2002, 27 inches of rain
fell in one day and caused severe flooding in areas of the
Languedoc. A dam burst killing more than 20 people,
flooding vineyards and ruining the vines. Such
extremes are rare, and summers are consistently comfortable
to hot.
In the north, dry winds like the Mistral,
and the Tramontane
blow during the summer months. The Tramontane
blows most frequently, and comes from the North-North-West
of France. A few days each year the Scirocco
(or Sirocco) blows, carrying a fine miasma of dust from
the North African deserts.
- January and February are the winter months. Lots of
rain, occasional frosts and snowfalls on the plains. Consistent
snow in the mountains.
- March and April are unpredictable, with glorious sunny
interspersed with cloudy, rainy cool days.
- May and June are usually pleasant, with lots of sunshine
and warm temperatures.
- July and August are hot and dry, with temperatures around
30° C. September can feel humid.
- October is often beautiful month. Days are warm and
sunny.
- November and December are cooler but still very pleasant,
with lots of sunshine.
click
here
to see average monthly temperatures in the Languedoc.
click
here
to see typical monthly sunshine patterns in the Languedoc.
click
here
to see average monthly rainfall in the Languedoc.
click
here
to see average monthly humidity in the Languedoc.
click
here
to learn about winds in the Languedoc.
click
here
to learn about weather in the Languedoc Mountains.
click here
for a link to another website (http://www.carcassonneinfo.com/)
showing the weather now.
click here
for a link to another website (http://www.meteoconsult.fr/)
showing the weather now.
Back
to: the Geography of the Languedoc.
