Weather in Calais

Find out what weather awaits you in Calais! Below are up-to-date data and forecasts to help you plan your time in the city.

The climate in Calais, located in the north of France, is characterised as temperate maritime. This means the city experiences relatively mild temperatures throughout the year, without sharp extreme fluctuations. Winters here are cool, and summers are pleasant and not too hot, making it generally comfortable to visit in different seasons if you are prepared for changeable weather.

In Calais, four distinct seasons are observed. Summer, especially in July and August, offers the warmest days with an average temperature of around 18-18.5°C and highs up to 21°C; these months also have the fewest number of rainy days (about 10-11 days). Winter (from December to February) is cool, with average temperatures around 5.9°C - 7.2°C, and this is the period with the highest number of rainy days (from 13 to 17 days per month). Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with moderate temperatures. A characteristic feature of the weather in Calais, according to the provided data, is that while precipitation occurs quite frequently throughout the month, the total monthly amount remains low (2-3 mm), which may indicate a prevalence of light rain or drizzle.

The annual temperature range in Calais is quite moderate. The coldest months are January, with an average temperature of about 5.9°C (minimum 4.2°C, maximum 7.7°C), and February, where the average temperature is 6.8°C. The warmest months are traditionally July with an average temperature of 18.0°C and August, when the average temperature reaches 18.5°C, and maximum values can rise to 21.1°C.

The summer months in Calais, from June to August, bring pleasant warmth. Daytime temperatures usually hover around 19-21°C, creating comfortable conditions for walking and sightseeing without exhausting heat. Nights also remain warm, with minimum temperatures around 13-16°C. Daily temperature fluctuations in summer are not too large, usually within 5-6°C, which is typical for coastal areas.

Winter in Calais, covering the period from December to February, is distinguished by cool but mild weather. Average monthly temperatures stay above freezing, usually in the range of 5.9°C to 7.2°C. Minimum night-time temperatures rarely drop significantly below 4°C, and daytime highs are usually 7-9°C. Frosts occur, but severe freezes are uncharacteristic. The difference between day and night temperatures in winter is even smaller than in summer, amounting to just 3-4°C, highlighting the moderating influence of the sea.

In Calais, precipitation falls throughout the year, yet the total amount, according to the provided data, remains small, varying from 2 to 3 mm per month. This indicates that intense downpours are unlikely here; rather, it is a matter of light or moderate precipitation, such as drizzle or brief rain. A clearly defined rainy season or dry period in terms of precipitation volume is not observed.

The difference in precipitation amounts between months is minimal: January, September, October, November, and December receive 3 mm each, while the other months receive 2 mm. However, the frequency of rainy days changes noticeably. The highest number of days with precipitation falls in December (on average 17 days). It also rains quite often in January, March, October, and November – about 15 days in each of these months. Given the average winter temperatures above freezing, precipitation mainly falls as rain, although with drops in temperature, the likelihood of sleet cannot be entirely ruled out.

The lowest number of rainy days is usually observed in June – on average 10 days. In other months of late spring and summer, such as April, May, July, and August, the number of days with precipitation is about 11. Thus, although Calais is not distinguished by heavy rainfall in any season, the probability of encountering rainy weather is slightly higher in the autumn-winter period, while late spring and summer offer more rain-free days.

When planning a trip to Calais, it is important to consider the changeable weather characteristic of this coastal region of France. Rainy days occur frequently throughout the year here, so a waterproof windbreaker or a light raincoat and a compact umbrella will become your faithful companions. Since Calais is located on the coast, the wind can be quite noticeable, especially in the cool season. The principle of layering clothing is the key to comfort: T-shirts, long-sleeve tops, fleece jackets, or sweaters will allow you to easily adapt to temperature changes during the day. Do not forget comfortable, preferably waterproof, shoes for long walks around the city and its surroundings.

In the summer months (June-August), the weather in Calais is usually mild and pleasant, with average temperatures around 16-18.5°C. You will need light items such as T-shirts, shorts, and skirts, but it is also worth taking a light sweater or cardigan for evening walks or cooler days. Sunscreen and headwear will also come in handy. From late autumn to early spring (October-April), it becomes significantly cooler, with average temperatures ranging from 5.9°C to 13.6°C. During this period, pack warmer clothing: sweaters, warm trousers, a jacket (preferably windproof and waterproof), as well as a hat, scarf, and gloves, especially for the winter months (December-February).