Weather
Forecast and climate on the English Channel
Cherbourg lies on the English Channel and has mild winters and cool summers. The forecast for the next few days and the monthly climate figures show what to expect for the beach, day trips and your crossing.
Forecast for Cherbourg
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On this page
The climate in Cherbourg
The forecast for the next few days is at the top of this page. For planning a trip, the long-term averages for 1991-2020 are more useful. They show mild winters, cool summers and rain in every month.
The average annual temperature is 11.0 °C, with afternoons averaging 13.9 °C and nights 8.1 °C. Annual rainfall is 940.4 mm. The coolest and the warmest months are barely 11 degrees apart: the mean temperature is 6.0 °C in January and February and 16.8 °C in August.
The figures are for Cherbourg-Maupertus airport, east of the town at 134 m above sea level.
Month by month
The table shows the average daytime high, the mean temperature across day and night, the average low and the rainfall for each month.
| Month | High | Mean | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.2 °C | 6.0 °C | 3.9 °C | 101.7 mm |
| February | 8.4 °C | 6.0 °C | 3.6 °C | 75.1 mm |
| March | 10.2 °C | 7.5 °C | 4.8 °C | 64.8 mm |
| April | 12.5 °C | 9.3 °C | 6.1 °C | 60.4 mm |
| May | 15.2 °C | 12.0 °C | 8.7 °C | 56.7 mm |
| June | 18.1 °C | 14.6 °C | 11.2 °C | 51.8 mm |
| July | 20.0 °C | 16.5 °C | 13.1 °C | 48.5 mm |
| August | 20.2 °C | 16.8 °C | 13.4 °C | 62.0 mm |
| September | 18.2 °C | 15.1 °C | 12.0 °C | 69.1 mm |
| October | 15.1 °C | 12.3 °C | 9.6 °C | 111.5 mm |
| November | 11.4 °C | 9.0 °C | 6.7 °C | 113.5 mm |
| December | 9.0 °C | 6.8 °C | 4.6 °C | 125.3 mm |
| Year | 13.9 °C | 11.0 °C | 8.1 °C | 940.4 mm |
In July and August the high is around 20 °C. From December to February it averages 8.2 to 9.0 °C.
Rain and records
Most of the rain falls in autumn and winter. From October to January every month brings more than 100 mm, and December is the wettest at 125.3 mm. July is the driest month at 48.5 mm, followed by June and May. Even in summer, each month sees around 50 to 60 mm.
The highest temperature on record, 37.0 °C, was reached on 23 June 2026. The lowest is −12.3 °C, recorded on 17 January 1985.
When to go
Which months suit you depends on what you have in mind:
- Beach and swimming: July and August are the warmest months, and Collignon beach is lifeguarded during this period. The places to swim are listed under beaches.
- Day trips and walking: May, June and September combine highs of 15 to 18 °C with much less rain than the autumn. Coastal destinations are covered on our day trips page.
- Autumn and winter: It stays mild, but October to January is the wettest time of year. Some attractions close in winter or have a fixed season. Opening times are on the pages for the Cité de la Mer and Fort du Roule.
In strong winds, the climb up the Phare de Gatteville lighthouse is closed. What that means for a trip there is explained on the Barfleur page.
Wind and crossings
Whether a ferry sails as planned in a storm is up to the ferry company. From Cherbourg, Brittany Ferries sails to Portsmouth and Rosslare and Irish Ferries to Dublin. The ferry company posts the status of your sailing on the day you travel, and if a storm warning is out, it is worth building in some extra time.
The terminal, check-in and routes are explained on our ferries from Cherbourg page. If your sailing is delayed, where to stay shows the best areas for a night in town.
Frequently asked questions
What is the warmest month in Cherbourg? +
When does it rain most in Cherbourg? +
Can you swim in Cherbourg in summer? +
How cold does it get in winter? +
Weather forecast: Meteonomiqs.