Last updated: January 18, 2025
The climate of Centre, France, is classified under the Köppen-Geiger system as Cfb, indicating a temperate maritime climate. This region experiences a diverse temperature range, with February lows plunging to a frigid -12°C (10°F), contrasting sharply with the scorching summer peak of 42°C (107°F) in July. The average annual temperature hovers around a mild 13°C (55°F), highlighting the region's seasonal variations and its capacity to support diverse ecosystems and agricultural activities throughout the year.
The temperature patterns in Centre, France, exhibit distinct seasonal trends throughout the year. Winter months, particularly January and February, are characterized by significant chill, with minimum temperatures dipping to -12°C (10°F) and highs reaching up to 25°C (76°F), showcasing the dramatic swings typical of late winter. As spring unfolds, temperatures gradually rise; by April, average temperatures climb to 11°C (53°F), and late spring in May sees a further increase, with maximum temperatures hitting 33°C (91°F). The warmth peaks during the summer months of June and July, with average highs of 21°C (70°F) and maximums soaring to 42°C (107°F), creating a stark contrast to the cooler autumn months, where temperatures slowly decline, averaging around 17°C (63°F) in September and dropping to 6°C (44°F) by December. This dynamic climate supports rich biodiversity and vibrant agricultural cycles, reflective of the region's varied temperature ranges.
In March, Amboise experiences temperatures ranging from a minimum of -9°C (16°F) to a maximum of 41°C (106°F) in July, while Saint-Germain-des-Pres sees slightly colder conditions, with a minimum of -10°C (14°F) in March and a peak temperature of 41°C (107°F) in July. Chartres reflects similar temperatures to Amboise, recording a March minimum of -9°C (15°F) and a July maximum of 40°C (105°F). For more details, visit monthly temperatures in Amboise, monthly temperatures in Saint-Germain-des-Pres, and monthly temperatures in Chartres.
Precipitation in Centre, France demonstrates a clear seasonal pattern, with December typically receiving the highest rainfall at 100 mm (4.0 in), spanning over 16 days. This higher frequency and volume of precipitation in winter months are indicative of a wetter climate during the colder season, with January and February also registering notable rainfall at 60 mm (2.3 in) and 64 mm (2.5 in) respectively. As the year progresses into spring, March experiences a slight increase to 71 mm (2.8 in), before dropping to 40 mm (1.6 in) in April, marking the transition toward drier months.
As summer approaches, precipitation decreases further, with both July and August receiving only 41 mm (1.6 in) of rainfall, spread over 7 days each month. Early autumn brings a slight uptick in precipitation, particularly in October with 77 mm (3.0 in), re-establishing a wetter context as the year ends. Overall, May sees one of the highest monthly totals at 81 mm (3.2 in), emphasizing the impact of spring showers in supporting the region's lush growth and agricultural productivity.
Sunshine duration in Centre, France reveals a pronounced seasonal trend, with hours of sunlight steadily increasing from winter to summer. January begins the year with just 130 hours of sunshine, which gradually climbs to 205 hours in February. As spring approaches, the increase becomes more pronounced, with March seeing 270 hours and April almost doubling that figure at 349 hours. May continues this upward trajectory, reaching 385 hours of sunlight, setting the stage for the sunniest months of the year.
The peak sunshine months occur during the summer, particularly in July, which boasts a remarkable 415 hours of sunshine, closely followed by August at 381 hours. This abundant sunlight supports outdoor activities and enhances the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. However, as autumn sets in, the duration of sunshine begins to decline, dropping to 325 hours in September and reaching 264 hours in October. The trend continues into the colder months, with December finishing the year with only 170 hours of sunlight. Overall, these patterns not only highlight the appeal of Centre's summers but also underscore the significant loss of daylight and warmth as the seasons transition.
The UV Index in Centre, France, reflects a clear seasonal variation that highlights the importance of sun protection as the year progresses. In the depths of winter, January starts with a low UV Index of 2, with a safe burn time of 45 minutes. As February ushers in slightly longer days, the index rises to 3, indicating a moderate exposure level. The transition into spring brings a notable increase; by April, the UV Index climbs to 7, categorizing it as high exposure with a burn time of just 25 minutes. May continues this upward trajectory, reaching 8, while June peaks with a very high UV Index of 9.
The peak UV Index occurs in the summer, with July hitting the maximum value of 10, necessitating vigilant sun safety measures due to a burn time of only 15 minutes. August follows closely with a slight decrease to 9, indicating sustained high exposure levels. As fall approaches, the Index gradually declines, with September recording a high reading of 6. By October and November, the UV Index drops back to moderate levels of 5 and 3, respectively, before returning to low exposure in December at 2. These trends emphasize the critical need for sun protection during the warmer months while allowing for more relaxed precautions during the winter.
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Daylight duration in Centre, France showcases a clear seasonal pattern, with hours of daylight increasing as winter yields to spring and summer. In January, daylight lasts for just 8 hours, gradually extending to 10 hours in February. By March, this trend continues with 11 hours of daylight, reaching 13 hours in April as the days grow longer and the effects of spring become pronounced. May heralds a peak with 15 hours of daylight, a duration that remains consistent through June and July, allowing ample time for outdoor activities and enjoyment of the pleasant weather.
As summer transitions into autumn, the daylight begins to wane, with August still providing 14 hours but reverting to 12 hours in September. October marks a further reduction to 10 hours, while November brings the daylight hours down to just 9 hours—a steady decline that continues until December, which again experiences 8 hours of daylight. This cyclical pattern underscores the distinct rhythms of light in Centre, influencing not only daily life but also natural cycles and seasonal activities throughout the year.
Amboise, France experiences a varied climate characterized by distinct seasonal changes. Winter temperatures can drop as low as -9°C (16°F) in March, while summer months reach highs of 41°C (106°F) in July. Precipitation is highest in May (81 mm) and December (95 mm), whereas July is relatively drier with only 32 mm of rain. Sunshine hours peak in July with 419 hours, providing ample warm days throughout the summer. For more detailed information, visit Amboise climate.
The climate in Azay-le-Rideau, France, is characterized by a range of temperatures throughout the year, with winter lows reaching -8°C (17°F) in March and summer highs soaring to 40°C (105°F) in July. Precipitation varies, peaking at 99 mm (3.9 in) in December, while summer months like July and August experience lower rainfall at 32 mm (1.3 in). Sunshine is abundant during the summer, with July receiving 421 hours, but diminishes in the winter months. For more detailed information, visit Azay-le-Rideau climate.
The climate in Blois, France, features a significant temperature range throughout the year, with January experiencing lows around -7°C (19°F) and July reaching highs up to 41°C (106°F). Precipitation is highest in December at 96 mm (3.8 in), while May generally sees the most rain with 79 mm (3.1 in). Sunshine peaks in July with 416 hours, contributing to the warm summer months. For more detailed climate information, visit Blois climate.
Chartres, France experiences a varied climate throughout the year, with cold winters and warm summers. January and February are the coldest months, with average temperatures around 4°C (40°F) and 6°C (43°F) respectively, while July sees the highest averages at 20°C (68°F). Precipitation varies significantly, peaking in May with 79 mm, and December is the wettest month with 89 mm of rain. Sunshine hours reach their maximum in July with 409 hours, offering plenty of bright days in the summer. For more details, visit Chartres climate.
The climate in Chaumont-sur-Loire, France, is characterized by a wide temperature range throughout the year. January temperatures can drop as low as -9°C (16°F), while July sees maximums reaching 41°C (106°F). Precipitation is more frequent in late autumn and winter, with December receiving 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain. The region enjoys ample sunshine from March to August, peaking in July with 416 hours. For more detailed climate statistics, visit Chaumont-sur-Loire climate.
Cheverny, France experiences a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Average temperatures range from a winter low of -9°C (15°F) in February to a summer high of 41°C (106°F) in July. Precipitation varies throughout the year, peaking in December at 97 mm (3.8 in), while the sunniest months are June and July, boasting over 400 hours of sunshine each. Visitors can enjoy a diverse climate with distinct seasonal changes. For more information, visit Cheverny climate.
Chinon, France experiences a varied climate, with winter temperatures dropping as low as -8°C (18°F) in March and summer highs reaching up to 40°C (104°F) in July. The region sees its highest precipitation in December with 100 mm (3.9 in) and enjoys considerable sunshine, peaking at 421 hours in July. Spring brings a gradual warming and increasing sunlight, making it a pleasant time to visit. For more detailed information, visit Chinon climate.
The climate in Orleans, France, exhibits a significant range of temperatures throughout the year, with January averaging around 5°C (40°F) and July reaching up to 21°C (70°F). Winters can be quite cold, with minimum temperatures dropping as low as -11°C (13°F) in February, while summers can be very warm, peaking at 41°C (106°F) in July. Precipitation is relatively high in late spring and early summer, with May recording 82 mm (3.2 in) and decreasing to around 49 mm (1.9 in) in July. Sunshine is abundant in the summer months, especially in July, which sees around 416 hours of sun. For more detailed information, visit Orleans climate.
The climate in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, France, features cold winters and warm summers, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of -10°C (14°F) in March to a maximum of 41°C (107°F) in July. Precipitation is moderate, peaking in December at 103 mm (4.1 in) and averaging around 60 mm throughout the summer months. Sunshine hours increase significantly from winter to summer, boasting 408 hours in July compared to just 120 hours in January. This variation creates a pleasant environment for visitors throughout the year. For more details, visit Saint-Germain-des-Pres climate.
Sancerre, France experiences a diverse climate with significant seasonal variation in temperatures and precipitation. Winters can be quite cold, with January averages around 4°C (39°F) and lows dropping to -8°C (17°F), while summers are warm, with July highs reaching up to 41°C (106°F). Rainfall varies throughout the year, peaking in December with 122 mm (4.8 in), and the region enjoys ample sunshine, particularly in the summer months, with July averaging 416 hours of sun. For more detailed insights, visit Sancerre climate.
Tours, France experiences a temperate climate with distinct seasons. Winters are cold, with January temperatures ranging from -7°C to 15°C and notable precipitation peaking at 98 mm in December. Summers can be warm, especially in July, where temperatures can reach up to 41°C, although rainfall is relatively low at 31 mm. Sunshine is abundant during the warmer months, with July seeing up to 419 hours of sunlight. For more details, visit Tours climate.
The climate in Villandry, France, features a wide temperature range throughout the year, with January averaging 5°C (42°F) and peaks in July and August reaching up to 40°C (105°F). The region experiences its highest rainfall in December, accumulating 99 mm (3.9 in), while drier months include July and August with only 32 mm (1.3 in) each. Sunshine is abundant in the summer months, with July enjoying 421 hours, but the winter months see significantly less, averaging around 137 hours in January. Overall, Villandry's climate offers a mix of warm summers and cool winters, ideal for outdoor activities and exploration. For more detailed information, visit Villandry climate.
Vouvray, France, experiences a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. January and February see average temperatures ranging from 5°C to 7°C, while July and August enjoy highs of 21°C to 38°C. Precipitation peaks in May and December, averaging up to 82 mm, and sunshine is abundant in summer, with July boasting 419 hours of sunlight. For a more detailed overview, visit Vouvray climate.
In conclusion, the climate, temperature, precipitation, sunshine duration, UV Index, and daylight patterns in Centre, France, collectively illustrate a region marked by significant seasonal variation. From the cold, relatively short days of winter to the long, sun-soaked days of summer, each season brings its unique weather attributes and opportunities for outdoor activities. The data highlights the necessity for appropriate sun protection during summer months, especially when UV Index values peak, and encourages residents and visitors alike to embrace the vibrant outdoor lifestyle that the long daylight hours of spring and summer afford. Understanding these climatic trends is essential for fostering appreciation of the region's natural beauty and planning activities throughout the year.