Lyon features a semi-continental climate with Mediterranean and oceanic influences. The city experiences four distinct seasons: hot, sunny summers with occasional storms, cold and sometimes frosty winters, and mild, pleasant springs and autumns. Rainfall is spread throughout the year, with spring and autumn being the wettest periods. Lyon’s weather is variable, offering unique experiences year-round.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Lyon’s climate is shaped by its central-eastern French location, nestled between the Alps and the Massif Central. Summers (June–August) are hot and sunny, with average highs of 27–28°C but heatwaves can push temperatures above 35°C, especially in July and August. Nights are warm, and humidity can make the heat feel more intense. Thunderstorms are common in summer, and rainfall is moderate, with July typically being the driest summer month. Daylight peaks at 15 hours in June and July, tapering to 14 hours in August, providing long, bright days for outdoor activities.
Winters (December–February) are cold, with average highs of 6–8°C and lows near 1–2°C. Frost and occasional snow are possible, though snow cover rarely lasts long. Winter is the driest season, but fog and brisk winds from the Alps can make it feel colder. Daylight is shortest in December, with about 8 hours per day. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 10°C in March to 20°C in May, and 23°C in September to 10°C in November. Rainfall is highest in May and November, and both seasons see frequent but brief showers. Sunshine increases steadily from spring, reaching a peak in summer, then declines into autumn. Winds are generally light to moderate, with spring being breezier than the tranquil summer months.
Lyon receives about 950–1,050 mm of precipitation annually, spread across 130–140 days, and enjoys roughly 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. The city’s weather is known for its variability, so packing for all conditions is wise. While Lyon is not on the sea, nearby lakes and rivers offer swimming and water activities during the warm months.
| Average climate data for Lyon, France | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 6 | 8 | 13 | 16 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 23 | 17 | 11 | 7 | 28 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 47 | 44 | 50 | 76 | 90 | 76 | 63 | 62 | 89 | 99 | 83 | 55 | 834 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 104 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 20 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 85 | 80 | 73 | 71 | 71 | 70 | 64 | 69 | 77 | 82 | 84 | 87 | 76 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
The best time to visit Lyon is from late April to early October, especially in May–June and September, when temperatures are mild to warm (15–27°C), rainfall is moderate, and the city is lively with festivals and outdoor events. These months offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, dining outdoors, and enjoying Lyon’s cultural life.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to February, when Lyon is coldest, days are shortest, and rain, fog, and occasional snow are common. While winter brings festive charm and fewer tourists, outdoor activities can be limited by chilly, damp, and unpredictable weather.
Lyon has a semi-continental climate with Mediterranean and oceanic influences. Summers are hot and sunny, winters are cold and sometimes frosty, and rainfall is spread throughout the year, peaking in spring and autumn.
Summer temperatures in Lyon typically reach 27–28°C, but heatwaves can push highs above 35°C. Nights are warm, and thunderstorms are common, especially in July and August.
Snow is possible in Lyon, mainly in winter, but it is usually light and melts quickly. Most winter precipitation falls as rain or drizzle, with heavy snow being rare in the city.
Rain falls year-round in Lyon, but May and November are typically the wettest months. Showers are frequent but often brief, so carrying an umbrella is recommended.
Lyon averages about 2,000 hours of sunshine annually. Summer months have up to 15 hours of daylight and 7–8 hours of sunshine per day, while winter months may see only 2–4 hours daily.
Bring layers, a waterproof jacket, and water-resistant shoes. Even in summer, pack a jumper or light jacket for cool evenings. An umbrella is essential for sudden showers in any season.
While Lyon is not on the sea, several lakes and rivers nearby offer sandy and pebbly beaches perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports, especially during the warm summer months.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (27.7 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (6.4 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 16.9 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (16.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (0.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 8.1 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is October (99.3 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (43.7 mm). Over the whole year there are 834.5 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is May (11.3 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (6.9 days). Over the whole year there are 103.7 days of rain on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (5.6 days). The month with the fewest days of snowfall is May (0 days). Over the whole year there are 20.1 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is December (87.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (63.9 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 76.2 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 8.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 9.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 1.1 h). Over the whole year there are 5.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 8). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.3.
