The climate of Brittany: when to go in Brittany

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The climate of Brittany is purely oceanic. The influence of sea currents and winds from the ocean moderate the daily and seasonal variations in temperatures. The Breton climate is characterized by frequent and well distributed rains throughout the year, but also by a marked variability. In fact, the weather can change suddenly, and often rain and sun alternate a few hours apart.

The climate is temperate, especially along the coast, with low differences between summer and winter temperatures. While the climatic differences between the coast and the interior are often remarkable. Just as the climate is significantly different between northern and southern Brittany. In fact, the south of the region is generally sunnier than the north.

A CLIMATE WITH SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE COAST AND THE INTERIOR

Within Brittany there are marked differences between the western and eastern inland regions. For example the city of Rennes, which is located in the eastern interior, has an almost continental climate, with cold winters with frequent frosts and hot summers. The average minimum temperature in February is 2.6 ° C. While that of the hottest month, July, it is 13.8 ° C. The average maximum summer temperatures show values of 24.5 ° C in July, and 8.7 ° C in January. Inland, rainfall is rather low with an average annual rainfall of 690 mm. The rainiest months are between September and February, in addition to the month of May, while August is the driest month.

While in Brest, located at the western end of the Breton coast, there are milder temperatures, and less changes between winter and summer temperatures. Here, in fact, the minimum average temperature of the colder months, January and February, is 4.4 / 4.1 ° C. While that of the hottest month, July, it is 13.2 ° C. Average maximum summer temperatures reach 20.8 ° C in August, while they stop at 9.3 ° C in January. The rains are high with an annual average of 1,200 mm. The rainiest months are from October to February. While between June and August the rains drop considerably.

Mountainous areas close to the coast, such as the Monts d’Arrée and Montagnes Noires, are the rainiest areas in the region. Here we exceed 1,500 mm of rain per year. Snow is not frequent but in winter it can sometimes be abundant.

The water temperature of the Brittany sea reaches a maximum of 18 ° C in August.

WHEN TO GO TO BRITTANY

The months between May and August are the best months to visit Brittany. The climate of this time of year is usually milder although sudden changes of weather can be expected at any time of the year.

CLIMATE OF BRITTANY: CLIMATIC TABLES

RENNES (36 meters)
Month	Average low (°C)	Average high (°C)	Precip. (mm)	Rainy days (snowy days)
January	3,0	8,7	67,6	11,5 (2,1)
February	2,6	9,6	49,1	9,4 (2,6)
March	4,5	12,6	51,6	9,8 (1,5)
April	5,9	15,2	50,9	9,9 (0,6)
May	9,3	18,9	67,2	9,8
June	11,9	22,2	46,7	7,3
July	13,8	24,5	49,1	7,3
August	13,7	24,3	37,8	6,4
September	11,4	21,6	59,0	7,7
October	9,1	17,0	74,8	11,1
November	5,5	12,1	67,5	11,7 (0,7)
December	3,3	9,1	72,7	12,4 (1,7)
YEAR	7,9	16,4	694,0	114,4 (9,2)

BREST (34 meters)
Month	Average low (°C)	Average high (°C)	Precip. (mm)	Rainy days (snowy days)
January	4,4	9,3	143,8	17,7 (2,0)
February	4,1	9,5	111,7	14,0 (2,5)
March	5,4	11,5	95,8	14,5 (1,6)
April	6,1	13,2	92,1	13,0 (0,5)
May	8,9	16,2	79,0	11,3 (0,1)
June	11,2	18,7	59,8	8,6
July	13,2	20,7	66,8	10,4
August	13,2	20,8	66,8	9,6
September	11,6	19,1	83,3	10,1
October	9,6	15,7	129,0	15,7
November	6,7	12,2	134,1	16,9 (0,5)
December	4,8	9,9	147,8	17,2 (1,2)
YEAR	8,3	14,8	1210	159,0 (8,4)