Annecy is a mountain town located about 400 meters above sea level. It is not governed by the same weather rules as other mountain towns.
Weather forecasts in Annecy
Discover now the weather forecasts for the coming days in the city of Annecy, as well as for today, in the morning, afternoon, evening, or at night. For this, we have selected several sites providing the weather.
Why several? Simply so that you can be certain of the climate in the coming days. It is better to have multiple sources, as the study of atmospheric phenomena such as clouds, precipitation, or wind is not an exact science. And for the weekend, don’t forget to check the weather for Sunday in Annecy.
7-day weather forecast for Annecy
5-day weather forecast from Meteo City
5-day weather forecast from Ta Meteo
Many webcams are available to discover the beautiful landscapes of Annecy, its lake, and the surrounding mountains. It is also an opportunity to check the live weather to prepare walks and outings in nature. Here are the 14 most beautiful webcams in Annecy.
A climate tempered by Lake Annecy
Annecy is located in the heart of the Alps, including the Bornes massif and the Bauges massif. This makes it a town with a mountain climate.
However, this is moderated by the presence of the lake, which makes it more pleasant.
A mountain microclimate
Lake Annecy indeed plays a role in regulating the temperature throughout the Annecy basin. It is the source of a microclimate where temperatures are less cold in winter and less hot in summer than in other towns located in the Alps.
It is rare for winter to be truly harsh in Annecy and around the lake. Similarly, summers are rarely scorching, and even when they are, the lake allows for quick relief and cooling.
The weather conditions in Annecy depend on two factors: the Bauges and Bornes massifs. The temperate climate of the French Pre-Alps thus guarantees temperatures typical of large European lakes, with marked humidity.
What temperature for Lake Annecy?
The temperature of the lake varies significantly between winter and summer. In winter, it ranges from 2° to 8°, while in summer, it is between 18° and 26°.
The temperature of the lake obviously depends on precipitation and external temperatures. Thus, one summer rarely resembles the previous one. As for winter, on average, 25 days of snowfall are recorded each year. This average has decreased in recent years, particularly due to climate change. It should also be noted that the lake now only partially freezes, where it used to be completely frozen in the past.
The East bank of Lake Annecy has the best sunshine
On average, the West bank (Saint-Jorioz, Sévrier, Duingt) receives less sunshine than the East bank (Menthon Saint-Bernard, Talloires, Veyrier-du-lac). The city of Annecy, for its part, receives 2,000 hours of sunshine each year, 90 cm of rain, 30 days of storms (mainly at the end of the summer season), and 25 days of fog.
The impact of climate change on Annecy
As can be seen in the diagram established by Météo France, the evolution of average temperatures over 144 years clearly indicates that climate change has been accelerating since 1990. The hottest years are 2018, 2019, and 2022. The observation of the evolution of meteorology is therefore relentless in the Alps, and Lake Annecy is no longer sufficient to cushion the rise in temperatures. At the same time, precipitation is significantly decreasing.
More significant drought episodes
The warming of temperatures in Annecy is coupled with droughts that are now recurrent. In 2018, the lake reached its lowest level since 1947. In front of the Pâquier, it was possible to walk nearly 200 meters without the water level exceeding the knees.
That same year, the autumn rains did not materialize. The lake level did not exceed 16 centimeters compared to an average of 80 in November. The state services then classified Haute-Savoie as red alert, the highest level in terms of water deficit. This drought also impacted the rivers of Annecy, and fish could no longer move. This was particularly the case for lake and river trout.
+3.3°C in 2050 in Annecy
Climatologists and meteorologists estimate that the rise in temperatures has been 2 °C over the past twenty years. By 2050, they are expected to increase by 3.3°C, and the average at the lake’s edge could be 21.8°C during the summer season.
Rainfall periods have also changed. It rains a lot in winter, while precipitation is almost nonexistent during summer. This variation in weather is known as the “anticyclonic potato.” It blocks over Europe and pushes back depressions that cannot reach Haute-Savoie. Weather forecasts for Annecy are therefore easier in summer, as the weather often remains hot and dry for long periods, with no precipitation due to the anticyclone. The 15-day weather forecasts are also easier. Hourly weather forecasts are used by the organizers of the Lake Annecy Festival to determine if it is possible to launch the fireworks.
Ski resorts facing climate change
On the side of winter sports resorts, the deficit in snowfall is intensifying. Resorts are increasingly relying on artificial snow. However, this requires large amounts of water, drawn from rivers, which further contributes to lowering the levels of watercourses.
Seasons are shifting, similar to that of mountaineering. Landslides are also more frequent, making mountaineering in high mountains dangerous, as in Chamonix.
When to come to Annecy according to the weather?
In July and August, temperatures can easily exceed 30 °C during the day.
As a consequence of climate change, heatwaves are becoming more frequent, and the resulting rains can be very violent. The positive point of this rise in temperatures is the increase in that of Lake Annecy, which often exceeds 22 °C in summer at the surface.
Visiting Annecy between May and September
The best time to visit Annecy is from mid-May to mid-September, as this is the warmest and sunniest time of the year. Sometimes, it can be very hot in July and August. Nevertheless, nights remain relatively cool most of the time. We therefore recommend bringing a sweatshirt or sweater and a light jacket for the evening.
