Weather in Carcassonne

Find out what weather awaits you in Carcassonne! In this section, we have gathered up-to-date reports, detailed forecasts, and visual charts so you can perfectly plan your trip.

The climate in Carcassonne can be described as temperate, with a noticeable Mediterranean influence. This means the city experiences four distinct seasons, each with its own weather characteristics, allowing tourists to choose the most comfortable time to visit depending on their preferences.

Summer in Carcassonne, especially in July and August, is generally warm and sunny, with average temperatures reaching 23°C and minimal rainfall. Winters here are mild, with the average temperature in January and December hovering around 5-7°C. Although the number of rainy days in winter is slightly higher, total precipitation remains low throughout the year, which is a characteristic feature of the local climate. Spring and autumn offer pleasant, moderate temperatures, perfect for walking and sightseeing.

The annual temperature regime in Carcassonne demonstrates a clear change of seasons. The hottest months are traditionally July and August, when the average air temperature reaches 22.7°C and 23.0°C respectively. During these summer peaks, daytime highs can rise to 27.9°C in July and 28.3°C in August, creating conditions for real summer heat, though not excessively stifling. Nights bring pleasant coolness, with minimum temperatures around 17.5°C - 17.7°C. The coldest months are January, with an average temperature of 5.8°C, and December, where the average temperature is 7.3°C. During these winter months, minimum temperatures drop to 2.8°C in January and 4.3°C in December, while maximum daytime temperatures rarely exceed 8.7°C - 10.3°C.

The summer months, from June to August, are characterised by pleasantly warm and even hot days. June already brings summer warmth with an average temperature of 20.2°C and daytime highs up to 25.0°C. July and August are the peak of summer, with maximum temperatures approaching 28°C. The difference between day and night temperatures in summer is quite perceptible, amounting to about 10-11 degrees, which ensures comfortable evenings after hot days.

Winter in Carcassonne, spanning December, January, and February, is distinguished by cool but not frosty weather. Average temperatures fluctuate from 5.8°C in January to 7.8°C in February. Nighttime minimums can drop to 2.8°C - 4.3°C, while during the day the air warms up to 8.7°C - 11.5°C. Daily temperature fluctuations in winter are less pronounced than in summer, but still noticeable, amounting to approximately 6-7 degrees.

Precipitation in Carcassonne is distributed quite evenly throughout the year, while the total amount remains comparatively low. The city does not experience a pronounced rainy season with torrential downpours; rather, it is a matter of periodic precipitation, the intensity of which is most often moderate or light.

The driest months, both in terms of total rainfall and the number of rainy days, are July and August. During this period, only about 1 mm of precipitation falls, and the number of rainy days drops to 7-8 per month. Slightly more precipitation, about 3 mm, is recorded in January, May, October, November, and December. In terms of frequency, May stands out as the month with the highest number of days with precipitation (on average 15 days), followed by November and December (14 days each), as well as January and March (13 days each).

The nature of precipitation in Carcassonne is predominantly light or moderate rain. Even in months with the maximum number of "wet" days, the total amount of moisture falling remains small. Winter precipitation also most often falls as rain, since average temperatures rarely drop to levels conducive to regular and heavy snowfalls. Thus, when planning a trip, it is worth considering the likelihood of rain at any time of the year, but it is unlikely to become a serious obstacle to exploring the city.

When planning a trip to Carcassonne, it is important to choose the right wardrobe to feel comfortable in any weather. In summer, especially in July and August, when the temperature can reach 28°C, preference should be given to light, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics. Do not forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Evenings can be a little cooler, so a light sweater or cardigan will come in handy. Regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes are a mandatory attribute, as you will be walking a lot along the ancient streets.

In the off-season (spring and autumn), the weather in Carcassonne can be changeable. During the day it can be pleasantly warm, up to 19-23°C in September or May, but it gets cooler in the morning and evening. The ideal solution would be layering your clothes: t-shirts, long-sleeved tops, a sweater or fleece jacket, as well as a light jacket or windbreaker. Given that during these periods, as well as in winter, the number of days with precipitation increases (up to 13-15 days in some months, although the rainfall itself is usually not heavy), it would not be superfluous to take an umbrella or a light raincoat with you.

In winter, from December to February, the average temperature fluctuates around 5-8°C, sometimes dropping to 2-4°C at night. You will need warm clothes: sweaters, insulated trousers, a winter jacket, as well as a hat, a scarf, and gloves. Although severe frosts are rare, the cool and occasionally damp weather requires appropriate gear so that walks around the medieval city remain pleasant.