What is the weather like in Western France?

What's the weather like in France?

• Hi, I'm doing a project for school about France and I would like to know whats the weather like in France and how much rainfall is there each season. Here are my questions. 1) ...show more

• Answer:

  Eastern France (excluding south-east) The east of France (except near the Mediterranean) has relatively cold winters and hot summers, with moderate amounts of rain. This is know as a 'continental climate'. It has more snow than anywhere else in France (except the Pyrenees mountains) and consequently has more winter sports than elsewhere. South-east of France The weather in the south-east of France is determined mainly by its southerly position and the presence of the Mediterranean. This regions has the mildest winters in France (only the west-most edge of France is comparable) and the hottest summers. There are more hours of sunshine here than anywhere else in France (with one exception). There are fewer rainy days here than in any other region of France. However, when it does rain, it tends to be heavy. Consequently, despite the infrequency of rain, the total rainfall in inches is similar to the rest of France. Vegetation in this corner of France is relatively sparse and consists mainly of semi-arid plants. This is due to the combination of the infrequent rainfall, low humidity and the warm climate. Sun-worshippers often find this attractive, feeling that it adds to the atmosphere of the hot and dry climate. Herbs and aromatic plants are common, making much of this region pleasantly perfumed. Western France The weather in the west of France is determined largely by the moderating influence of the Atlantic ocean. This produces mild winters and summers which are warm but not excessively hot. This mild weather is particularly pronounced near the coast and adds to the attraction of this area. The amount of sunshine in this area is average for France, with the exception of a small area around La Rochelle (about halfway down the coast). This area has an exceptional amount of sunshine, comparable to the Mediterranean coast of France. Mountain Areas Within France there are three main mountain areas: the Pyrenees in the south, the Alps in the East and the Massif Central in the centre of France (these are shown map at Topographical map of France). Mountains are colder than the surrounding areas; for each 100 meters of altitude one loses over half a degree degree Celsius. This may not seem much, but there are numerous houses for sale at approximately 800 meters of altitude, which corresponds to about 5 degrees lower temperature than at sea level. Mountain valleys are often foggy but as one travels up the mountain one rises above the fog level. The exact height of the fog level varies from area to area. In addition to having their own weather patterns, mountains also affect neighbouring areas, in particular by redirecting winds. As winds travel over the mountains the higher altitudes turn the moisture into rain, so the windward side of the mountain tends to be wetter than the opposite side. The rest you will find there: http://www.france-property-and-information.com/France-weather.htm