France is primarily located in the southern part of the temperate zone. The country is affected by oceanic influences. The North Atlantic Drift on the west and the Mediterranean Sea in the south moderate these oceanic influences. There are four climatic types in France.
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.
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