I know it's impossible to predict but we would appreciate some idea from anyone living there of the usual temps and if wind, rain and snow are likely in Paris, Normandy, down the east to the Riviera and back up the west to Paris between 20 Dec and 11 Jan. We want to be prepared as we are coming from summer in New Zealand, and in Wellington in winter we rarely get snow or temps lower than 8 Celcius. Thanks.
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
Try doing a websearch for the various areas you be visiting using something like "weather averages for Nice".
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
It's close to an impossible question. The Normandy coast will hit freezing a couple of times, the Riviera will have lows of close to 5c. The diurnal range of both is about fifteen degrees. Count on rain up north, probably not much along the Med. I've seen snow as far south as Limoges that time of year, but nothing monumental. Paris is going to be closer to what it is in Normandy, but probably with more rain. East and west are kind of undefined, but figure more rain along the Bay of Biscay, but warmer than Normandy. If you cut up through the Massif Central, you'll see snow. Wind happens. There's nothing you can't handle with a rain jacket and a hunk of fleece underneath. Wunderground.com will give you the seasonal averages as well as the records for significant locations. Plan for the records, not the averages, and you won't have any surprises. Last year has nothing to do with this year or next year. Any responses (including mine) based on personal observations are anectdotal and generally useless.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23290 posts
Our last trip to Paris over New Years was pretty cool and rainy. Not heavy rains but overcast, very damp, and an afternoon drizzle for a couple of hours. However, this year could be bright and sunny. Remember you are very far north with limited weak sun shine on a good day and short days BUT you are in Paris so who is complaining? You could be in New Zealand at that time.
Posted by
OP
Wellington, New Zealand
10 posts
Thanks everyone. Good point, Frank, we WILL be in Paris!! Tks Ed for pragmatic reply. Will expect a mixed bag, but cold. Tks Ed, will look at a few specific places for averages. Another thought - do the sidewalk tables at the cafes that are so much a part of Paris all disappear in the winter?
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Plastic drapes and heaters.
Posted by
OP
Wellington, New Zealand
10 posts
Excellent, thanks!
Posted by
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
265 posts
Go to WeatherUnderground.com, look up past history weather and you'll get some-what of an idea. It's impossible to predict the weather (the experts get it wrong all the time), but this I know about EU; if the weather is nice now, give it a few minutes it'll change and vise versa.
Posted by
OP
Wellington, New Zealand
10 posts
Know what you mean - we often have 4 seasons in one day.