Albi has a temperate semi-oceanic climate with all four seasons. Summers are pleasantly hot and winters are mild. Rainfall is moderate throughout the year and similar to that of the UK. Weather conditions are subject to rapid change due to the influence of westerly winds from the Atlantic. Albi is the capital of the Tarn region and sits in south central France. It is also know as âthe red cityâ due to its ancient red brick buildings, most notably Cath©drale Sainte-C©cile d'Albi, which dates back to 920 AD.<?xml:namespace prefix = o />
Summer, from June till September, is hot and sunny. The average high temperature sits at 24°C at the beginning and end of the season, peaking in July and August around 28°C. Rainfall is quite high at the beginning of the season but drops to its lowest annual point in July, after which it increases again. Storms can be expected on around ten days per month and are usually brief; thunderstorms are more likely at the end of the season. This makes it sound like it is constantly wet but actually it is quite dry. Low humidity allows the heat to drop considerably at night into the mid teens, which is cool enough to provide relief from the heat but warm enough to encourage Mediterranean-style, late night, outdoor dining. Sunshine levels peak in July at nine hours per day but the whole season sees lots of sun.
This is the most popular time to visit the town due to the heat, sun and lower rainfall. However, Albi is quite far from the sea and if the wind fails it can become stiflingly hot with highs in the mid 30s. Luckily, wind does often blow down from the mountains. June and September present the most consistently pleasant temperatures but if you want exhausting heat then the peak months are for you.
Autumn, in October and November, starts off well but rapidly becomes gloomy. The average high temperature falls to 19°C in October so at the start of the season temperatures in the low 20s can often be enjoyed. Nights are cool but not unbearable at around 10°C. Sunshine levels arenât bad either at around five hours per day. But in November the average high drops to 13°C, the average low gets down to 5°C and sunshine levels drop to three per day. Rainfall slightly increases. October is great for enjoying the historic sights of Albi out of the peak summer heat, without heavy crowds, but November can be unpredictable, cold and grey.
Winter, from December till February, is cool and often grey. January is coldest month with an average high of 9°C and an average low of 2°C. December and February are usually only slightly warmer. Rainfall levels do not alter but rain usually falls in long, light showers. The sun hides away, only coming out for three hours per day until February when it creeps out for four. This is much better than in neighbouring England where most areas see less than two hours per day.
Spring, between March and May, quickly improves. The average high temperature climbs to 14°C in March, 16°C in April and 20°C in May; by the end of April plenty of hot days are to be found though these can also be interrupted by cold, grey periods. Sunshine levels increase by an hour per month, getting up to seven hours per day in May. Rainfall actually increases with showers falling on around half of the days in each month, but they often make way for clear skies and sunshine. Late spring is a great time to visit as itâs less crowded and the weather is often very good. However, one of the problems with the season is that the snow in the Pyrenees melts and this, combined with the spring showers, means that the river Tarn, on which Albi sits, can flood.
Albiâs location means weather conditions are consistently preferable to those in the UK, but not as favourable as those found in southeast France and on the coast of the Mediterranean. Rainfall and storms are slightly more frequent around Albi than might be expected as it backs onto the Pyrenees which block the Atlantic winds. The weather is not perfect year round but there is no reason not to visit at any time of year. The ancient architecture and Toulouse-Lautrec Museum can be enjoyed whatever the weather, and the beautiful Tarn Valley offers plenty to do out of the peak season. Albiâs climate, like in all of the surrounding regions, is perfect for grape growing and is not far from the famous Gaillac vineyards.