Weather in Nice: forecast and month-by-month climate
Nice averages 19.8 °C a year and 2,760.5 hours of sunshine according to the Météo-France 1991-2020 normals: the climate is Mediterranean, mild in winter, hot and dry in summer, and wetter in autumn. Here is the live forecast and the month-by-month climate to help you choose your dates.
In Nice, the weather is fine and mild almost all year round: the Météo-France 1991-2020 normals (Nice station, climatological data sheet 06088001) give an annual average of 19.8 °C, 2,760.5 hours of sunshine and 791.3 mm of rainfall, spread over about 130 rainy days a year.
Summers are hot and dry, winters bright and mild, and most of the rain falls between October and December. Here is the live forecast, the month-by-month climate, the sea temperature and our tips for choosing your dates.
Nice weather today and this week
Live forecasts and official alerts: Météo-France. The month-by-month climate breakdown follows below.
The Nice climate at a glance
Hot, dry summers (24.7 to 27.9 °C in the afternoon from June to August), wet autumns (138.4 mm in November), mild winters (13.3 to 14.1 °C) and increasingly warm springs (21.0 °C in May): the year's rhythm in a few landmarks.
Météo-France 1991-2020 normals, month by month
Average maximum (Tx) and minimum (Tn) temperatures, rainfall and sunshine: the official climatological data sheet for the Nice station (Météo-France PDF).
| Month | Tx (°C) | Tn (°C) | Rainfall (mm) | Sunshine (h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.3 | 5.8 | 73.5 | 156.7 |
| February | 13.5 | 6.1 | 53.6 | 166.1 |
| March | 15.4 | 8.3 | 51.0 | 218.0 |
| April | 17.4 | 10.8 | 68.8 | 229.2 |
| May | 21.0 | 14.5 | 40.3 | 270.9 |
| June | 24.7 | 18.1 | 35.7 | 309.8 |
| July | 27.5 | 20.8 | 13.6 | 349.3 |
| August | 27.9 | 21.1 | 17.2 | 323.2 |
| September | 24.8 | 17.7 | 81.0 | 249.8 |
| October | 21.0 | 14.0 | 127.9 | 191.1 |
| November | 17.0 | 9.7 | 138.4 | 151.5 |
| December | 14.1 | 6.6 | 90.3 | 145.2 |
| Year | 19.8 | 12.8 | 791.3 | 2,760.5 |
The wettest months, the driest months
Rain is concentrated in autumn: November (138.4 mm), October (127.9 mm) and December (90.3 mm) are the wettest months. By contrast, July (13.6 mm) and August (17.2 mm) are very dry, ahead of June (35.7 mm) and May (40.3 mm). In total, 791.3 mm of rainfall a year over about 130 rainy days, according to Météo-France.
The sea: indicative average temperatures
There is no official monthly normal for the sea temperature in Nice: the available readings come from private sources, which differ slightly.
As an indication, the following monthly averages are commonly quoted: January 14.4 °C, February 13.7 °C, March 13.8 °C, April 15.0 °C, May 17.8 °C, June 21.8 °C, July 24.7 °C, August 25.4 °C, September 23.4 °C, October 20.7 °C, November 18.2 °C, December 15.9 °C. Other sources give around 23 °C in July-August. The main point: swimming becomes comfortable (20 °C and above) from June to October.
Lifeguarded swimming: the 2026 season
In 2026, lifeguarded swimming covered the season from 6 June to 13 September: the Carras, Forum, Centenaire and Ponchettes stations were supervised every day, and those at Sainte-Hélène, Bambou, Magnan, Poincaré, Blue Beach and Beau Rivage from 1 July to 31 August. Indicative times given by the City: 9am-6.30pm in July-August and 9am-6pm in September, check again each season with the City of Nice.
During the supervision period, water quality is monitored through weekly samples from 1 June to 30 September. To choose your beach (pebbles, sand, private beaches), see our guide Nice's beaches: which one to choose?.
Nice's winds: the grégal and the libeccio
Two local winds shape the weather in Nice. The grégal, blowing from the north-east, can bring rain and noticeably cool the air; the libeccio, coming from the south-west, is hot and dry. Their alternation explains part of the difference in how a day feels from one day to the next, even at the same temperature (Météo-France).
Mediterranean episodes: the autumn risk
The region experiences 3 to 6 Mediterranean episodes every year, mainly from September to mid-December: intense rainfall over a few hours that can cause flash floods.
Two serious precedents: 3 October 2015, when 111.7 mm fell in one night in Nice (203 mm from 1 to 3 October) and 20 victims in the department, according to Météo-France; and storm Alex on 2 October 2020, with up to 500 mm in 24 hours at Saint-Martin-Vésubie and valleys devastated (Météo-France report).
As a precaution, check Météo-France alerts before any outing in the mountains or along a river.
When to come to Nice?
To enjoy the sea without the crushing heat or the crowds, aim for May-June and September-early October: mild temperatures and water still warm enough for swimming in September. July-August, dry and hot, is perfect for the beach but tough for walking around town in the middle of the day. Winter suits cultural visits. The week-by-week breakdown is in our guide When to visit Nice? Weather and climate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best season to visit Nice?
May, June and September offer the best balance of mild warmth, sunshine and crowds; September still has pleasant sea temperatures (around 23 °C, indicative value). July-August are the hottest and busiest.
What is the weather like in Nice in winter?
Mild: 13.3 to 14.1 °C in the afternoon, 145 to 166 hours of sunshine a month. Ideal for exploring the old town and the hinterland, with sea temperatures around 14 to 16 °C (indicative value).
Does it rain a lot in Nice?
791.3 mm of rainfall a year over about 130 rainy days, most of it in autumn (October and November exceed 120 mm). Summers are very dry: 13.6 mm in July.
Can you swim in Nice in September?
Yes, it is one of the best months: sea temperature around 23 °C (indicative value), with lifeguard cover until 13 September for the 2026 season. Dates and times should be checked again each season.
What is a Mediterranean episode?
Intense, stationary rainfall typical of autumn on the French Riviera: 3 to 6 episodes a year, mainly from September to mid-December, which can cause flash floods. Check Météo-France alerts.
When to visit Nice: the complete guide · Nice's beaches: which one to choose? · What to do in Nice when it rains · Nice in winter and at Christmas · See Nice live with the webcams
Find a hotel on Booking.com
Enter your dates to check availability and prices.
