In the west, a true temperate maritime climate can de found. At Brest, winters are mild. Brest experiences cool summers and frequent rainfall. Interior of France sees a mid-latitude continental climate that includes hotter summers and rigorous winters. Rainfall is not very frequent. For example, Paris sees a July temperature of 18 degrees Celcius and January temperatures of 2 degrees Celcius.
On high elevations, you'll experience a mountain climate. Altitude influences the climate, where the winters are bitterly cold and prolongued. The precipitation is more on higher altitudes. In winter, the precipitation is in the form of snow. Most of the villages on high valleys receive more than 50 days of snow every year.
In France, the zone that is situated 20 to 60 km from the Mediterranean cost experiences Mediterranean climate. In such climate, the summers are hot and dry. The winters are mild and humid.
In north France, the climate is temperate. In North-eastern France, you would find warm summers and colder winters. Jura Mountains, experience alpine Climate and the weather of the French Alps is variable. Riviera, Provence and Roussillon are places that experience Mediterranean climate. Lorraine has a mild climate. From the Loire to the Basque region, the weather is temperate. Auvergne, the Rhône Valley and Burgundy have Continental Weather.
The average annual temperature of France declines to the north. Rainfall is brought mainly by westerly winds from the Atlantic. The rainfall is characterized by cyclonic depressions. The yearly precipitation is more than 5 inches at higher elevations.
The climate of France complements cultivation. The climate of France can be divided into three climatic zones - Oceanic, Continental and Mediterranean.
Continental Climate
In France, continental climate is experienced in northeast France. The greatest temperature range in France is experienced in the city of Strasbourg. Here the winters are cold. The winters are characterized by 83 days of frost. The region is also covered with snow for several weeks. However, occasionally the weather is sunny. During summers, maximum rainfall occurs in June and July. The total rainfall in Strasbourg is not very high.
Mediterranean climate
The Mediterranean Climate resembles the climate of the lands bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This climate is experienced on the western coasts of continental landmasses. It occurs between latitudes 30° and 45° north and south of the equator. In southeastern France, the Mediterranean Climate can be experienced over the coastal plains. This Climate also prevails in the valley of the lower Rhone River. It extends till the Montelimar area.
Other areas of France that experience this climate are Southern Alps, the Cevennes and Noire Mountains (in the Massif Central) and also in the eastern Pyrenees.
The winters are mild in the Mediterranean climate in France because of the latitude and the close location of the warm Mediterranean Sea.
Oceanic Climate
Oceanic Climate is also known as Maritime Climate. It is also called Marine West Coast Climate. Oceanic Climate is experienced mostly on the west coasts of the middle latitudes of the continents of the world. This kind of climate is also experienced at coastal tropical highlands and also at the tropical coasts on the leeward sides of mountain ranges. In this climate, the annual range of temperature is narrow, there is precipitation in summer and rainfall is adequate.
In France, pure oceanic climate is experienced in northwest France. Brittany has an oceanic climate. The annual temperature variation is low. In Brest, the average temperature in January is 43 °F. In July, the temperature is around 61°F. It's extremely humid and the rainfall is moderate. In Brest around 35 inches of rain falls in a year. The west winds blow constantly in Brest. Also, there are a large number of variations in the weather. In a day, the weather migh change a number of times in a day.
There's a change in oceanic climate towards the north. Here, the winters are cooler. The oceanic climate towards the south also shows a change. Here in the Aquitaine Basin, the winters are mild and the summers are warm. The rainfall is also less. Toulouse is a city that experiences great summer storms.
