The best times to visit the French Southern and Antarctic Lands for ideal weather are
early to mid August
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
the French Southern and Antarctic Lands Travel Guide
Other the French Southern and Antarctic Lands Travel Info
Weather in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Temperature
Average temperatures in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands vary barely at all. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold all year with a chance of rain or snow throughout most of the year. The area is far less temperate than some — in the bottom 1 percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, the hottest months are February, May, and then August. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early to mid August where highs are regularly around 60.3°F (15.7°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 48.8°F (9.3°C) at night.
the French Southern and Antarctic Lands Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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the French Southern and Antarctic Lands Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
the French Southern and Antarctic Lands Perceived Temperature (F)
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the French Southern and Antarctic Lands Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average the French Southern and Antarctic Lands Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57.6 | 51.7 | 46.2 |
| Feb | 59.4 | 53.9 | 48.6 |
| Mar | 59 | 52.8 | 47 |
| Apr | 59.1 | 53.3 | 47.6 |
| May | 59.3 | 53.8 | 48.2 |
| Jun | 58.5 | 53.4 | 47.9 |
| Jul | 58.5 | 53.4 | 47.6 |
| Aug | 58.8 | 53.5 | 47.8 |
| Sep | 57.7 | 52.3 | 47 |
| Oct | 56.3 | 50.7 | 45.5 |
| Nov | 56.8 | 51.5 | 46.4 |
| Dec | 57.9 | 52.1 | 46.4 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14.2 | 10.9 | 7.9 |
| Feb | 15.2 | 12.2 | 9.2 |
| Mar | 15 | 11.6 | 8.3 |
| Apr | 15.1 | 11.8 | 8.7 |
| May | 15.2 | 12.1 | 9 |
| Jun | 14.7 | 11.9 | 8.8 |
| Jul | 14.7 | 11.9 | 8.7 |
| Aug | 14.9 | 11.9 | 8.8 |
| Sep | 14.3 | 11.3 | 8.3 |
| Oct | 13.5 | 10.4 | 7.5 |
| Nov | 13.8 | 10.8 | 8 |
| Dec | 14.4 | 11.2 | 8 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands are October, September, and then March. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around mid October. For example, on the week of October 15th there is 1 day of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in mid June with an average of 2 days of significant precipitation the week of June 18th.
When can you find snow in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands? Weather stations report very large amounts of snow likely to be deepest around April, especially close to early April. The best time to ski (if at all) in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands is often around around December 17th when fresh powder is deepest. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21% | 6.7 | 3.3 |
| Feb | 22% | 9.3 | 3 |
| Mar | 20% | 11.7 | 3.1 |
| Apr | 23% | 13.9 | 3.1 |
| May | 25% | 0 | 3.6 |
| Jun | 27% | 0 | 3.4 |
| Jul | 27% | 0 | 3.4 |
| Aug | 24% | 0 | 3.3 |
| Sep | 20% | 0 | 2.8 |
| Oct | 20% | 3.9 | 2.6 |
| Nov | 26% | 0.5 | 3.3 |
| Dec | 23% | 5.4 | 3.2 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21 | 17 | 8.4 |
| Feb | 22 | 23.6 | 7.6 |
| Mar | 20 | 29.7 | 7.9 |
| Apr | 23 | 35.3 | 7.9 |
| May | 25 | 0 | 9.1 |
| Jun | 27 | 0 | 8.6 |
| Jul | 27 | 0 | 8.6 |
| Aug | 24 | 0 | 8.4 |
| Sep | 20 | 0 | 7.1 |
| Oct | 20 | 9.9 | 6.6 |
| Nov | 26 | 1.3 | 8.4 |
| Dec | 23 | 13.7 | 8.1 |
Humidity and Wind
the French Southern and Antarctic Lands has some very humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is September (70% relative humidity), and the most humid month is February (74.2%).
Wind in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands is usually stronger than many places. The windiest month is September, followed by October and November. September’s average wind speed of around 13.8 knots (15.9 MPH or 25.6 KPH) is considered “a moderate breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early October where average top sustained speeds reach 22.7 knots, which is considered a strong breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 11.5 | Significant breeze | 18.4 | Strong breeze |
| Feb | 11.2 | Significant breeze | 17.9 | Strong breeze |
| Mar | 11.1 | Significant breeze | 18.2 | Strong breeze |
| Apr | 11.7 | Significant breeze | 19.1 | Strong breeze |
| May | 12.6 | Significant breeze | 20.3 | Strong breeze |
| Jun | 13 | Significant breeze | 20.6 | Strong breeze |
| Jul | 13.1 | Significant breeze | 21.2 | Strong breeze |
| Aug | 12.8 | Significant breeze | 21.2 | Strong breeze |
| Sep | 13.8 | Significant breeze | 22.2 | Strong breeze |
| Oct | 13.7 | Significant breeze | 21.4 | Strong breeze |
| Nov | 13.4 | Significant breeze | 20.7 | Strong breeze |
| Dec | 12.1 | Significant breeze | 19.2 | Strong breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 71.8% |
| Feb | 74.2% |
| Mar | 70.4% |
| Apr | 71.3% |
| May | 70.2% |
| Jun | 70.2% |
| Jul | 71.4% |
| Aug | 70.8% |
| Sep | 70% |
| Oct | 70.2% |
| Nov | 73.4% |
| Dec | 72% |
Is it Safe to Travel to the French Southern and Antarctic Lands?
Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings for France; exercise a high degree of caution. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Nov 20, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands is November, followed by January and March. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit the French Southern and Antarctic Lands in June. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall the French Southern and Antarctic Lands Travel Experience by Season
Fall (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderately cold. Highs range from 59.9°F (15.5°C) and 58.4°F (14.7°C) with similar temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 6 to 8 days of significant precipitation per month. Fall is the busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Winter (June through August)
The middle-year months have cold weather with high temperatures that are brisk. These months see the most precipitation with 7 to 8 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the slowest season for tourism in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, so lodging and other accommodations may cost less than usual.
Spring (September through November)
Spring daily highs range from 58.3°F (14.6°C) and 56°F (13.3°C), which will feel chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 6 to 8 days per month. Tourism is the second busiest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be slightly higher priced.
Summer (December through February)
Weather is too cold this time of year in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 59.7°F (15.4°C) and 56.8°F (13.8°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 6 to 7 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.
Best Times to Travel › the French Southern and Antarctic Lands