When
Peter Mayle documented the passing Provencal year so beautifully
in his famous books and the beauty of its passing seasons is one of
its many pleasures. Generally, winters are mild and sunny, summers are
hot and dry and we enjoy very mild late autumns. As for rainfall, we
have less than 800 mm / year. Less than 50 days of rain (5 mm or more)
and rare, violent, short downpours: we enjoy over 300 sunny days a year...
Spring
Late February witnesses the arrival
of Spring when the days begin to lengthen as the almond blossom starts
to appear.
Ave.Daily Min/Max: 2/36-12/53 Record: 22/71 Ave.Month's Rain: 32mm Days
with more than 0.1mm: 6
March sees a rise in temperature as the walking season starts to climax
and the hedgerows start to fill with the emergence of wild flowers.
The almond blossom normally peaks around the middle of the month.
Ave.Daily Min/Max: 5/41-15/59 Record: 24/75 Ave.Month's Rain: 43mm Days
with more than 0.1mm: 7
April heralds the beginning of the sunbathing season for a few hours
around midday and the emergence of the cherry blossom in a landscape
abundant with wild orchids and other wild flowers.
Ave.Daily Min/Max: 8/46-18/64 Record: 29/83 Ave.Month's Rain: 42mm Days
with more than 0.1mm: 7
May sees the start of the Cherry harvest, the unwrapping of all the
outdoor furniture, the filling of the pool and the start of the swimming
season. Rosemary and thyme begin to flower and their perfume fills the
air.
Ave.Daily Min/Max: 11/52-22/71 Record: 31/89 Ave.Month's Rain: 46mm
Days with more than 0.1mm: 8
Summer
June's bursting of the Broom brushes announces the arrival of Summer.
Its flowers scorch the otherwise vibrant green landscape with splashes
of yellow and its aromatic perfume pervades the atmosphere. Spring showers
become a distant memory and Provence looks at its arguable best.
Ave.Daily Min/Max: 15/58-26/79 Record: 29/83 Ave.Month's Rain: 24mm
Days with more than 0.1mm: 4
July witnesses an absence of rain and a rise in temperature which starts
to singe a countryside, by now welcoming the purple hues of lavender.
The village and town festival season kicks off and the travelling fun
fairs appear in a different location each week.
Ave.Daily Min/Max:17/63-29/84 Record: 39/102 Ave.Month's Rain:11mm.
Days with more than 0.1mm: 2
August sees the month when a swimming pool is essential for those soaking
up the summer sun. Days and nights are both gloriously warm and the
lavender is harvested, leaving the air full of its fragrant perfume.
The festival season peaks toward the end of the month.
Ave.Daily Min/Max: 17/63-28/83 Record: 37/99 Ave.Month's Rain: 34mm.
Days with more than 0.1mm: 5
September is the month of sharp crystal-clear light when the grape harvest
starts and the country lanes rumble to the gentle sound of tractors
towing trailers of picked fruit.
Ave.Daily Min/Max: 15/58-25/77 Record: 34/94 Ave.Month's Rain: 60mm.
Days with more than 0.1mm: 6
October witnesses the closure of the swimming pool and the start of
the walking season when mushrooms arrive in abundance on the woodland
floors and the landscape assumes the face of a thousand hues of the
red spectrum. Days are still warm and the evenings cool.
Ave.Daily Min/Max: 10/51-20/68 Record: 29/84 Ave.Month's Rain:76mm.
Days with more than 0.1mm: 8
Winter
November's first frosts see the start of the truffle season. As long
as a shower appeared in August the 'black diamonds' arrive in the 'broulèe'
of the oak trees and are sought by anyone with a trained hound. The
truffles are sold in the local markets for a king's ransom.
Ave.Daily Min/Max: 6/43-15/58 Record: 23/73 Ave.Month's Rain: 69mm Days
with more than 0.1mm: 9
December sees the arrival of oysters from the east coast. They are an
essential ingredient of the coming festive season. Days are bright,
crisp and often warm by our more northern standards. The russet Oaks
light up in the low slanting sun light.
Ave.Daily Min/Max: 3/37-11/52 Record: 20/68 Ave.Month's Rain: 66mm Days
with more than 0.1mm: 10
January - a wonderful month for walking - but most of all it's a time
for indulging in Provencal food at its finest as wild boar, truffles,
mushrooms and the wonderful Cote de Rhone reds come fully into their
own.
Ave.Daily Min/Max: 2/35-10/50 Record: 18/65 Ave.Month's Rain: 43mm Days
with more than 0.1mm: 8
Weather link:
http://www.meteo.fr/meteonet/index.htm
