The Climate in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, South of France

The climate is typically Mediterranean with mild winters, consistently dry summers, and moderate springs and autumns. It is France's sunniest area with 300 days of sunshine each year. However, the region covers a large area, and for various reasons including the varied teraine the weather can vary considerably within its borders. In the mountains the winters tend to be colder and snowy, whereas the coastline, sheltered by mountains, tends to be sunnier and warmer than the inland areas. After Corsica, the Languedoc-Roussillon region is the hottest in France.

The coastal plains of the Languedoc rarely freeze in winter (with an average temperature of 8.1°C) due to the influence of the Mediterranean Sea. Summer temperatures are frequently 30ºC+ (the average being 23.7°C) and the days are long and dry. There are heavy rains in autumn and spring - these tend to last for a short period but are almost monsoon-like in the autumn months.

The winter months are in January and February when the lowest temperatures are experienced. Rainfall is heavy and there are occasional frosts. Snow falls on the plains and settles there for all of half an hour. However, snow is heavier and more consistent in the mountains.
March and April are often unsettled - with glorious sunny, hot days one moment and then cloudy cooler days the next.
May and June are usually more settled with lots of sunshine and warm temperatures.
The summer months are in July and August and are consistenlty hot and dry, with temperatures around 30°C. However, one can almost set your watch to the 15th August when the weather suddenly changes and clouds cool down the air.
September is slightly cooler but still dry and sunny.
October is often a lovely month with warm and sunny days.
November and December are cooler but still very pleasant, with lots of sunshine. More often than not, the Christmas period is beautifully sunny.

The two main winds in the region are called the Tramontane which blows from the north-west and is a dry, pretty violent wind that is cold in winter. However, it tends to blow away the clouds and bring the bright blue skies and sunshine, even though temperatures are cooler. The other wind is called the Marin, which is hot and wet and comes from the sea in south-east. This tends to raise the general ambiant temperature, but brings with it a generally cloudy sky. Occassionally, the Sirocco blows in from the North African deserts and brings with it a fine dusting of red sand.

Month	Average Temperature
January	12.4°
February	11.5°
March	12.5°
April	17.6°
May	20.1°
June	26.5°
July	28.4°
August	28.1°
September	26.1°
October	21.1°
November	15.8°
December	13.5°