Lyon Weather by Month: Temperatures, Rain and What to Pack
Lyon weather month by month from Météo-France's 1991 to 2020 normals: highs, lows, rain, rainy days and sunshine, and what each season means for a trip.
Lyon is cold and fairly dry in winter, hot in July and August, and wettest in autumn. The figures here are Météo-France’s 1991 to 2020 normals for the Lyon-Bron station. July is the warmest month, with an average high of 28.2°C and a low of 17.0°C. January is the coldest, at 7.1°C by day and 1.1°C at night. October is the wettest month at 99.8 mm, and February the driest at 41.6 mm. The full table is further down.
Two things set Lyon apart from a coastal city, and they’re worth knowing before you book. Winter nights fall to freezing or below on 13.0 days in January, and summer brings days above 30°C in numbers: 11.2 in July and 10.7 in August. A trip in May, June or September avoids both.
Spring: March to May
March is still cool, with a 13.8°C high and a 4.2°C low, and 8.4 rainy days. April reaches 17.4°C by day and 7.2°C at night, and May 21.5°C and 11.2°C. Frost is rare by April, at 0.4 nights.
May is the wettest of the three at 80.9 mm over 10.3 days, so it’s showers rather than a washout. It’s also the first month with real sunshine, at 224 hours. Pack a light jacket and a rain layer. Days at 25°C or above average 1.7 in April and 7.5 in May.
The Parc de la Tête d’Or is the easy place to spend a spring afternoon, and the Roman theatres on Fourvière are open until 21:00 from 2 May. The March, April and May event pages list what’s on.
Summer: June to August
June averages 25.6°C by day and 15.0°C at night, with 74.1 mm of rain over 8.5 days and 257 hours of sunshine. July and August are the hottest months, at 28.2°C and 28.0°C, with lows of 17.0°C and 16.6°C. They’re also the sunniest, at 288 and 263 hours.
Heat is the thing to plan around. Days at 30°C or above average 6.0 in June, 11.2 in July and 10.7 in August. July and August have the fewest rainy days of the year, at 7.5 and 7.2. Do the stairs up to Fourvière in the morning and keep museums for the afternoon. Light clothes, a hat and a water bottle do most of the work, and you won’t need more.
The Lyon day trips guide has easier options outside the city on the hottest days. The June events page lists what’s on at the start of summer.
Autumn: September to November
September is the gentlest month of the year for walking. It reaches 23.1°C with a 12.8°C low and 204 hours of sunshine, and it has 7.3 rainy days. The 82.5 mm total is still high, with 2.6 days of 10 mm or more.
October turns the corner. The high drops to 17.7°C, the low to 9.6°C, and rain peaks at 99.8 mm over 9.9 days, the wettest month of the year. Sunshine falls to 131 hours. November is cooler again at 11.4°C and 4.9°C, with 87.2 mm over 9.4 days and only 79 hours of sun. Nights reach freezing on 3.8 days.
From October a waterproof jacket and shoes that grip wet cobbles earn their space. Markets and bouchons are good wet-weather plans, and it’s worth checking opening days in the where to eat guide. The November events page shows what’s on.
Winter: December to February
Winter highs run from 7.1°C to 9.0°C and lows from 1.1°C to 2.0°C. The nights fall to 0°C or below on 13.0 days in January, 10.5 in February and 10.3 in December, and January has 2.1 days on average when the high stays at 0°C or below. December is the darkest month, with 59 hours of sunshine, and January has 71.
It’s less wet than the autumn. February is the driest month at 41.6 mm over 7.9 days, and January has 49.8 mm over 8.1 days. December has 53.7 mm over 9.2 days. A warm coat, gloves and a scarf matter more than an umbrella.
Early December is when the Fête des Lumières fills the city, and the travel tips guide has the 2026 dates and how to handle the crowds. See also the December and January event pages.
Lyon weather by month
The figures are Météo-France’s statistics for the Lyon-Bron station, averaged over 1991 to 2020 (Météo-France climate sheet). The station sits at 202 m, east of the city centre. A rainy day here is one with 1 mm or more of rain, and sunshine is the mean monthly hours of sun from the same sheet.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.1°C | 1.1°C | 50 mm | 8.1 | 71 h |
| February | 9.0°C | 1.4°C | 42 mm | 7.9 | 102 h |
| March | 13.8°C | 4.2°C | 49 mm | 8.4 | 174 h |
| April | 17.4°C | 7.2°C | 69 mm | 9.0 | 198 h |
| May | 21.5°C | 11.2°C | 81 mm | 10.3 | 224 h |
| June | 25.6°C | 15.0°C | 74 mm | 8.5 | 257 h |
| July | 28.2°C | 17.0°C | 67 mm | 7.5 | 288 h |
| August | 28.0°C | 16.6°C | 66 mm | 7.2 | 263 h |
| September | 23.1°C | 12.8°C | 83 mm | 7.3 | 204 h |
| October | 17.7°C | 9.6°C | 100 mm | 9.9 | 131 h |
| November | 11.4°C | 4.9°C | 87 mm | 9.4 | 79 h |
| December | 7.7°C | 2.0°C | 54 mm | 9.2 | 59 h |
These are averages, and it’s normal for a single week can sit well either side of them. Check the forecast before you pack.
Which month fits you
- Mild weather and long days. May, June or September.
- Summer evenings, with heat. July and August, with the climb up Fourvière in the morning.
- Dry and cold. January and February, with a proper coat.
- Wettest stretch. October and November, when indoor plans matter.
- Fête des Lumières. The first week of December, and book early.
Where to stay in Lyon compares the areas, and the things to do guide fills the days. To see what’s on for your exact dates, set them on the map or open the events page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit Lyon?
May, June or September for mild weather. May reaches 21.5°C, June 25.6°C and September 23.1°C, with lows of 11.2°C, 15.0°C and 12.8°C.
What is the coldest month in Lyon?
January. The average high is 7.1°C and the low 1.1°C, and nights fall to 0°C or below on 13.0 days.
What is the hottest month in Lyon?
July, with an average high of 28.2°C and a low of 17.0°C. Days at 30°C or above average 11.2.
Which month has the most rain in Lyon?
October, at 99.8 mm on average. May has the most rainy days, at 10.3 days with 1 mm or more, and October follows at 9.9.
Which month is driest in Lyon?
February, at 41.6 mm. July and August have the fewest rainy days, at 7.5 and 7.2.
Does it snow in Lyon?
The Météo-France sheet doesn’t count snow days. It does show nights at 0°C or below on 13.0 days in January and 10.5 in February.
What is the sunniest month in Lyon?
July, with 288 hours of sunshine on average. December is the dullest at 59 hours.
What should I pack for Lyon?
A warm coat, gloves and a scarf from December to February. A light jacket and a rain layer from March to May and in October and November. Light clothes, a hat and sun protection from June to August, with a layer for the evenings in September.
Places in this guide
Photos show the actual places, licensed under Creative Commons and credited to their photographers.
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