Mont Saint-Michel has a temperate maritime climate with all four seasons and no extremes of temperature. Its weather is greatly influenced by its position in the British Channel and proximity to the North Sea. The whole of Normandy is known for its mild climate, very similar to that found across the Channel. Mont Saint-Michel is a small tidal island which was once connected by a natural land bridge exposed only at low tide. Avranches is the nearest commune on the mainland.
Summer, from June till September, is warm and sunny but, as at any time of year, quite unpredictable. The average high temperature hovers around 20°C for most of the season, with August being just about the hottest month with an average high of 21°C. Calm, sunny days can see the temperature creeping into the mid 20s, but often the wind keeps conditions pretty cool and often blows in a bit of cloud, keeping sunshine levels at a modest average of seven hours per day. Night time temperatures are quite cool and youâll need an extra layer or two. The average low in the peak months is 13°C. The sea is warmest in July and August at an average of 17°C. Some may not consider this warm enough for swimming, but if youâre brave enough youâll certainly feel refreshed after a dip... Showers are quite frequent but tend to be light and donât linger for long. This is by far the best time to visit in terms of weather.
Autumn, in October and November, cools down quite quickly and tends to be rather grey. The average high temperature drops to 15°C in October and 10°C in November. The odd warm day can be experienced at the beginning of the season but generally itâs pretty chilly. Night time lows drop below 10°C early in the season and down to an average of 5°C in November. The sea looses its heat and gets down to 13°C in November. Grey and blustery days are quite common and sunshine levels fall to around three hours of sunshine per day â" of course this is shared between days without any sun and days of clear weather.
Winter, from December till February, is very chilly but not as cold as might be expected at this latitude due to the warming influence of the Gulf Stream. The average high temperature gets down to around 6°C for most of the season and night times see an average of 2°C. It can fall below freezing but being surrounded by the sea means frosts and snow are rare. Sunshine levels are not great at around two hours per day. Worst of all is the rain, which falls on over half the days in each month.
Spring, from March till May, takes a while to heat up but is much brighter. The average high temperature creeps up to 9°C in March, 12°C in April and 15°C in May, and sunshine levels jump up to six hours per day in April and up to the summer levels of seven hours per day in March. It still gets very cold at night, the average low not getting above 10°C in the season, and sea winds still blow in winter weather conditions without warning.