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Caen has a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb), so you get mild winters, warm but changeable summers, and rain in every month of the year. The city sits about 15 km (9 miles) inland from the English Channel at Ouistreham, which means it catches frequent Atlantic weather fronts but avoids the worst of the coastal wind. Over a typical year Caen receives roughly 733 mm of rain across about 126 rainy days, with no true dry season. July and August are the warmest months with average highs of 23°C (73°F), while January is the coldest at 9°C (48°F). Before you book, use our best time to visit Caen guide to match the weather to your plans, and see the full Caen travel guide for context on the city and Normandy.
Caen Weather in Winter (December to February)
December, January and February are the coldest months, but Caen rarely gets seriously cold. December averages a high of 9°C (48°F) and a low of 3°C (37°F), and it is the wettest month of the year with 78 mm of rain over about 14 days. January is the coldest month with the same 9°C (48°F) high and 3°C (37°F) low but a drier 61 mm of rain. February edges up to a 10°C (50°F) high with 52 mm, the second driest month after April. Frost is common but not severe: Caen records around 40 frost days a year, concentrated between December and March. Snow falls on roughly 5 to 10 days a year and rarely settles in the city centre, though the higher ground of the Suisse Normande hills to the south sees more. December is also when the Christmas market runs in the city centre, one of the highlights of the Caen events and festivals calendar.
Caen Weather in Spring (March to May)
Spring warms steadily, and it is a comfortable time to walk the city. March averages 12°C (54°F) highs and 4°C (39°F) lows with 52 mm of rain. April climbs to 14°C (57°F) highs and 5°C (41°F) lows, and at 49 mm it is the driest month of the year. May reaches 18°C (64°F) highs and 8°C (46°F) lows with 61 mm of rain as the tourist season starts to pick up. Days lengthen quickly, from about 125 hours of sunshine in March to around 200 hours by May. This is a good season for the outdoor sights in our things to do in Caen guide, from the château ramparts to the Jardin des Plantes.
Caen Weather in Summer (June to August)
Summer in Caen is mild rather than hot, which suits sightseeing. June averages 21°C (70°F) highs and 11°C (52°F) lows with 60 mm of rain. July and August are the warmest months, both averaging 23°C (73°F) highs and 13°C (55°F) lows. July is relatively dry at 51 mm, while August picks up to 65 mm, often in the form of short showers rather than all-day rain. Heatwaves are rare and usually brief, though temperatures occasionally push past 30°C (86°F) for a few days. Even in July, evenings cool to about 13°C (55°F), so pack a light jacket. If you plan to base yourself near the old town, our Caen neighborhoods guide breaks down the areas and their hotel prices.
Caen Weather in Autumn (September to November)
Autumn is the wettest and most changeable season, driven by Atlantic depressions. September stays pleasant at 20°C (68°F) highs and 11°C (52°F) lows with 52 mm of rain. October drops to 16°C (61°F) highs with 76 mm, and November falls to 12°C (54°F) highs with 76 mm over about 13 rainy days. Wind picks up from October onward, and grey, drizzly stretches become common. The upside is fewer visitors and lower room rates, so it is worth checking where to stay in Caen for autumn deals.
Caen Weather by Month: Full Data Table
The table below lists Caen’s monthly averages for high and low temperatures, rainfall and rain days, based on 1991 to 2021 data recorded at Caen-Carpiquet Airport.
| Month | High °C | High °F | Low °C | Low °F | Rain (mm) | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 48 | 3 | 37 | 61 | 12 |
| February | 10 | 50 | 3 | 37 | 52 | 11 |
| March | 12 | 54 | 4 | 39 | 52 | 11 |
| April | 14 | 57 | 5 | 41 | 49 | 10 |
| May | 18 | 64 | 8 | 46 | 61 | 10 |
| June | 21 | 70 | 11 | 52 | 60 | 8 |
| July | 23 | 73 | 13 | 55 | 51 | 8 |
| August | 23 | 73 | 13 | 55 | 65 | 8 |
| September | 20 | 68 | 11 | 52 | 52 | 10 |
| October | 16 | 61 | 8 | 46 | 76 | 12 |
| November | 12 | 54 | 5 | 41 | 76 | 13 |
| December | 9 | 48 | 3 | 37 | 78 | 14 |
Caen Weather: Sea Temperatures and Sunshine Hours
Caen itself is inland, so for sea swimming you head about 15 km (9 miles) north to the D-Day beaches, Ouistreham or Courseulles-sur-Mer. The English Channel here stays cold year round: sea temperatures peak at around 18°C (64°F) in August and fall to about 8°C (46°F) in February, so swimming is mainly a July to September activity. Sunshine totals range from about 60 hours in December to about 215 hours in June and July, for an annual figure near 1,650 hours. For practical advice on getting to the coast and the rest of the region, see our Caen travel tips guide.
