Weather in Nantes

Planning your day in Nantes? In this section, you will find the most up-to-date weather information, including detailed forecasts and useful weather charts, to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

The climate of Nantes can be characterized as temperate oceanic, with distinctly expressed seasons. There are no extremes here – sweltering heat in summer or severe frosts in winter, which makes the city attractive to visit at any time of the year. You will be able to enjoy walks and exploring the sights in quite comfortable conditions.

Summer in Nantes is generally warm and pleasant, with average temperatures around 18-20°C in June, July, and August. Maximum daily temperatures in these months can reach 22-25°C. This is also the period with the fewest rainy days, especially in July and August. Winters here are mild; the average temperature in January and December is about 7-8°C, with minimum temperatures rarely dropping significantly below 4-5°C. However, winter, along with late autumn, is a wetter season in terms of the number of days with precipitation.

Although monthly data show a small amount of precipitation in millimetres, it is worth paying attention to the number of rainy days. It can be quite significant, especially in the period from October to March, when there are from 12 to 14 such days per month. Therefore, when planning a trip, especially in the autumn-winter period, it is recommended to take an umbrella or raincoat with you. In general, the weather in Nantes allows you to enjoy the city all year round, offering different experiences depending on the season.

In Nantes, a noticeable change in temperature regimes is observed throughout the year, which is typical for a temperate oceanic climate. The coldest months are usually January, with an average temperature of about 6.7°C (minimum 4.3°C, maximum 9.2°C), and December, where the average temperature is approximately 7.8°C (minimum 5.4°C, maximum 10.2°C). February is also quite cool, with an average value of 7.7°C. The warmest period is July and August, when the average temperature reaches 20.1°C and 20.0°C respectively. In these summer months, average maximum temperatures rise to 24.6°C in July and 24.5°C in August, creating comfortable conditions for walks and outdoor relaxation.

Summer months in Nantes, especially July and August, bring pleasant warmth. Daytime temperatures often fluctuate in the range of 22-25°C, and sometimes can be higher. Nights remain quite mild, with average minimum temperatures around 15.5-15.6°C. June is also warm, with an average temperature of 18.5°C and maximum values reaching an average of 22.8°C. Overall, summer in Nantes is not characterized by sweltering heat, which makes it attractive for those who prefer moderately warm conditions.

Winter in Nantes is mild and cool, without severe frosts. In January, the coldest month, average minimum temperatures stay at 4.3°C, and daily maximums reach an average of 9.2°C. Similar figures are observed in December and February. Daily temperature fluctuations are also noticeable: for example, in July the difference between the average maximum (24.6°C) and minimum (15.6°C) temperature is about 9°C. In the winter months, this difference is smaller, about 5°C in January (9.2°C max, 4.3°C min), indicating a more even temperature profile throughout the day, although evenings and nights are still noticeably cooler than days.

Precipitation in Nantes is distributed throughout the year; however, its character and frequency have seasonal features. Remarkably, with a relatively small total amount of precipitation in millimetres monthly, the number of days with rain can be quite significant. This suggests that precipitation here falls most often in the form of light rain or drizzle, rather than heavy downpours. Snow, given the mild winter temperatures, is a rare phenomenon.

The driest months in Nantes, both in terms of precipitation amount and the number of rainy days, are July and August. In these summer months, only 1 mm of precipitation falls, and the number of days with rain is reduced to 8 and 7 respectively. This makes summer the most favourable period for those who prefer to minimize the chances of getting caught in the rain during their visit.

A wetter period, in terms of precipitation frequency, is observed from autumn to spring. March and December stand out as months with the highest number of rainy days – 14 days in each. January and October are slightly behind, where it rains on average for 13 days. Although the total amount of precipitation in these "wet" months is also small (2-3 mm), more frequent, albeit light, rains create a feeling of damper weather. For example, in June, October, November, and December, 3 mm of precipitation falls, which is the maximum annual figure, but this amount is distributed over 11-14 rainy days in each of these months.

When packing for Nantes, it is important to consider its temperate oceanic climate with quite frequent precipitation throughout the year, albeit not abundant. The key principle when packing your suitcase should be layering. This will allow you to easily adapt to weather changes during the day. Regardless of the season, be sure to take comfortable shoes for walking, as Nantes is perfect for exploring on foot. Also, practically all year round, an umbrella or a light waterproof jacket/raincoat will come in handy, since the number of rainy days is significant even with a small total volume of precipitation.

If your trip is planned for the summer months (June-August), when the average temperature is a comfortable 18-20°C, and the maximum can reach 22-25°C, the main wardrobe can consist of light clothing: T-shirts, shorts, dresses. However, do not forget to grab a light sweater or cardigan for evening walks or in case of cloudy weather. Sunscreen and a hat will also be useful. For a winter visit (December-February), when average temperatures stay around 7-8°C, you will need warm clothes: sweaters, a fleece jacket, a warm coat (preferably windproof and water-repellent), a scarf, gloves, and a hat. Although severe frosts usually do not occur, humidity can increase the sensation of cold.

In spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), the weather in Nantes can be particularly changeable. The temperature gradually rises in spring and falls in autumn, but there is always a chance of rain and wind. During these periods, jeans or thick trousers, long and short-sleeved T-shirts, sweaters, as well as a mid-season jacket are ideal. Layering will allow you to remove or add clothing depending on current conditions. Do not forget waterproof shoes or at least a spare pair in case you get wet.