Today's weather for Avignon, France8th Nov 2009 03:30

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Weather Overview for Avignon

Avignon’s climate is temperate, characterized by hot summers and cold winters. While the city experiences rain all year, this allows for the luscious parks and greenery that are scattered throughout the region.

Avignon lies in the path of the mistral wind, which is cold and dry wind and blows from the northwest of Europe though the Rhone River valley onto the Mediterranean. The wind is strong and can some times reach speeds of ninety kmph, particularly once it reaches the Rhone Valley. Blowing predominantly in spring and winter, the advantage of the mistral is that is usually brings with it clear and sunny weather which leaves the region basking in sunshine.

Avignon is located on the left bank of the Rhone in the south east of France, 85km north of Marseille and with Mont Ventoux peering over it. Avignon is a popular, picturesque tourist destination. 

Summer months from June to September see the city at its warmest, with July and August generally being the hottest months. They see an average high temperature of 30°C, but it is common for the mercury to rise into the mid 30s. Though generally hot and sunny, summer sees a few showers and thunderstorms at the end of the season.

Autumn, from late September till mid October, maintains enjoyable averages of 25°C and 20°C in September and October respectively, before cooling down rapidly from the end of October. November has an average high of 13°C. Autumn months see the highest rainfall of the year but showers are usually short and heavy leaving time for reasonable levels of sunshine.

Winter in Avignon is quite cold. January is the coldest month with an average high of 10°C and an average low of 2°C. December and February are only slightly warmer. It regularly drops below freezing and frosts are common. Precipitation levels are low but sleet and snow falls intermittently. As previously mentioned, the mistral blows through Avignon in the winter, clearing the skies but bringing with it bitterly cold, windy days.

Spring is a fantastic time to visit the region. The trees blossom, parks are filled with colourful flowers and the temperatures creep from the mid teens to the 20s. In March the average high is already at 16°C; it then gets up to 18°C in April and 23°C in May. Night time temperatures remain cold and the mistral often makes daytime temperatures feel much cooler. Rainfall increases in April and May but the period is generally clear and sunny with sunshine levels increasing towards summer.

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