Climate in Nice is typical for Mediterranean region unless it is drier here than in other localities. In general it is warm due to protection of surrounding hills and mountains. Even cool mistral winds from north are only improving weather bringing bright sunny days and good conditions for sailing and surfing.

Summers here are dry, hot and sunny though showers occur from time to time. Temperature hovers over 20 °C (68 °F) most of the time occasionally rising above 30 °C (86 °F). Autumn brings cooling and increased rainfall. At winter weather is cool however temperature never goes below zero and snow is exceptionally rare.

 

Seasons

 

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Nice

Main feature of spring in Nice is gradually growing daytime average temperature. It slowly crawls from 15 °C (59 °F) at March to 20 °C (68 °F) and slightly above at May. Nighttime averages are sitting around 12-13 °C in (53-55 °F) April and May and grow to 17 °C (62 °F) at May. Growing warmth attracts more and more tourists and streets of the city become busier with progress of the season.

Spring is pretty rainy yet drier than autumn or winter. Total amount of precipitation per season is around 180 mm (7”) with May being driest. Rains fall as short showers rather than drizzle so skies are clear most of time. Sea warms up from 13 °C (55 °F) to 18 °C (64 °F) through season.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +15 °C (58 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Water t°: +13.5 °C (56 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 62 mm (2.4")

April Max average t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Min average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Water t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 57 mm (2.2")

May Max average t°: +21 °C (69 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Water t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Sundial in the day: 12 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 41 mm (1.6")

Spring Holidays

March-April – Easter Celebrations.
March – Grande Fete du Citron (Great Festival of Citrus), Menton

April 1 – April Fool’s Day.
April – Fete des Roses.

May 1 – Labor Day.
May 8 – Freedom Day.
May – Spring Festival, Ronde des Colline Niçoises, Crossover Festival, Open de Nice Cote d'Azur, Long Night of Museums.

Summer in Nice

As in all Mediterranean cities summer in Nice is wonderful. Warmth bordering with heat at afternoons but at evening it is complimented by gentle breeze. Averages rise from 24 °C (75 °F) in June to 28 °C (82 °F) in August. Nighttime temperature is in pleasant range too. It varies from 17 °C (62 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F) though nights can be humid and slightly uncomfortable without air conditioning.

In terms of precipitation summer is the driest season of a year with only 10 mm in July. In June and August rainfall averages with 40 mm (1.5”) and 25 mm (1”) respectively. Water temperature throughout the season has 22-23 °C (71-73 °F) and completely comfortable for swimming.

 

Climate of the Summer Months

 

June Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (60 °F) Water t°: +21.5 °C (71 °F) Sundial in the day: 13.5 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 26 mm (1.0")

July Max average t°: +27 °C (80 °F) Min average t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Water t°: +24.5 °C (76 °F) Sundial in the day: 14 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 29 mm (1.1")

August Max average t°: +27 °C (80 °F) Min average t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Water t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Sundial in the day: 13 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 13 mm (0.5")

Summer Holidays

June – Festival du Livre (Annual Book Festival), Festival of St Peter & the Sea, Fête du Château (Music Festival), Iron Man France Competition.
June 21 – Day of the Music.

July – Nice Jazz Festival, Le Tour de France, Classical Music Festivals, Les Nuits du Sud.
July 14 – Bastille Day.

Autumn in Nice

Autumn is the best time to visit the city in many ways, first of all because magnificent summer weather is still there unlike crowds of tourists. Average high temperature of the season is slowly receding from 24 °C (75 °F) at September to 16 °C (61 °F) at November. At evenings air might be chilly so travelers should pack some layers in case of autumn travel to Nice.

Umbrella is necessary too for autumn is the rainiest season of a year. Total average amount of precipitation per season is more than 300 mm (12”) up to 140 mm (5.5”) of which are fall in October. Sea remains warm until late October when its temperature drops to 17 °C (62 °F).

 

Climate of the Autumn Months

 

September Max average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Water t°: +23.5 °C (74 °F) Sundial in the day: 11 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 25 mm (1.0")

October Max average t°: +20.5 °C (69 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (53 °F) Water t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 61 mm (2.4")

November Max average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Water t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 91 mm (2.95")

Autumn Holidays

September – European Heritage Days.

November – Alpes-Maritime Marathon, Holiday of "New Beaujolais".

Winter in Nice

Weather of winter is rather cool than cold. Temperature rarely drops below 5 °C (41 °F) even at nights of coldest months which are January and February. Daytime averages of 9-12 °C (48-53 °F) are rather fresh and pleasant than cool. Snow there is exceptional occasion unlike rain. Sharp and quick showers are common and they do not cover the skies with clouds for long.

In winter water cools down to 13-15 °C (55-59 °F) and swimming is far from pleasure. Luckily there are numerous actives that do not depend on weather. In addition sky is bright most of time and weather in general is more pleasant than in more northerly Europe.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Min average t°: +5 °C (41 °F) Water t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hour Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 45 mm (1.8")

January Max average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (39 °F) Water t°: +14.5 °C (58 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 42 mm (1.7")

February Max average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Min average t°: +4.5 °C (40 °F) Water t°: +13.5 °C (56 °F) Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 56 mm (2.2")

Winter Holidays

December – Nice Luna Park Indoor Christmas Park.
December 25 – Christmas.

January 1 – New Year’s Day.
January – Monte-Carlo Rally

February 14 – St. Valentine’s Day.
February – Nice Carnival.