Climate of France

Four types of climate prevail in France. A mild maritime climate prevails in the west, not far from the coast, and is illustrated in Brest, where mild winters (7 degrees Celsius / 45 degrees Fahrenheit in January) and cool in summer (16 degrees Celsius / 61 degrees Fahrenheit in July) and rainfall are often (800 mm / 32 inches) within 180 days of the year. In the mid-latitude continental climate prevails in the interior of the country, with hot summers (average temperature in July is 18 degrees Celsius / 64 degrees Fahrenheit in Paris) and more severe winters (average temperature in January is 2 degrees Celsius / 36 degrees Fahrenheit in Paris) and rainfall on fewer days per year. 

Mountain climate prevails at high elevations where the temperature affects mainly at altitude, and in winter has cold and long. Rainfall increases with altitude, and occurs in the form of snow in the winter, many villages in the high valleys of the snow falling for more than 50 days each year. BRIANCON, in the Alps, the average temperature of -2 degrees Celsius (28 degrees Fahrenheit) in January, and 17 degrees Celsius (63 degrees Fahrenheit) in July, annual precipitation on average 587 mm (23 inches). Mediterranean type of climate is in an area of approximately 20 to 60 km (12 to 35 miles) wide along the Mediterranean coast. The zone is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild and wet winters, and a small number of rainy days per year. In Marseilles, 550 mm (22 inches) of precipitation falls during the 60 days of the year, while the sun shines more than 3000 hours per year. The average temperature is 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit) in January and 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit) in July. 

The climate of France is favorable for life. The climatic conditions quite different. For the Normandy and Brittany is a characteristic of the marine environment, spreading their influence on the entire western part of the country. Especially mild and humid climate is Brittany, which is characterized by a small difference between summer and winter temperatures, and cloudy days with strong winds. In the winter there heat (average temperature in January is +7 ° C), but the summers cool and overcast (July 17 ° C). In the eastern parts of the country dominated by a continental climate: the annual amplitude of mean monthly temperature reaches 20 ° C. 

For Paris is characterized by mild winter, average January temperature is +3,5 ° C. Protected from northern winds by the Alps and the Massif Central Mediterranean coast has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and warm wet winters. In remote from the sea of low-lying areas, the average temperature in January is also positive, but much warmer summers. In southern France, on the shores of the Mediterranean subtropical climate: dry and hot summers, warm winters, but with the autumn rains begin. 

In Nice, the average temperature in July is +23 ° C, January +8 ° C. In the mountains - the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Massif Central - low winter temperatures, strong winds, abundant rainfall, long snow cover. Mean annual rainfall in most parts of the country is 600-1000 mm, with rainfall distributed throughout the country, with the exception of the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, about evenly.