Climate Insights for Lyon

The climate in Lyon is temperate. The average annual temperature is 13°C and approximately 942mm of precipitation falls per year. Lyon receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Lyon is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to 1°C. Light snow can occur between January and December.

Temperatures in Lyon vary considerably across the year, with a 28°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is July, when average highs reach 29°C and the mean temperature sits around 23°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 1°C and an average of 4°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 9°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 5°C shift in average temperatures.

Lyon is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 942mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 78mm per month. The wettest month is May, averaging 100mm of rainfall. October and November also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is February, with just 51mm. That's 49mm less than May, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around. Light snowfall can occur between January and December, totalling around 19cm annually. January is the snowiest month with approximately 6cm.

Lyon is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 15km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is March, averaging 17km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 14km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 3km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently spring in Lyon, which began on March 20, 2026. Lyon is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in July at around 29°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 1°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 90 days from now.

The best time to visit Lyon is during June, July, August and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 21°C with modest rainfall averaging 75mm per month. By contrast, January can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 1°C. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely — pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Lyon based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.