When is the best time to go to Saint Pierre and Miquelon?

The best time to visit Saint-Pierre and Miquelon is in the summer, between July and late September. Indeed, as the archipelago is located off the coast of northern Canada, it experiences unfavorable, even very unfavorable, weather conditions the rest of the year.

When is the best time to visit Saint-Pierre and Miquelon under the simplest conditions? It is during the tourist season, in summer, that the islands are most accessible as there is now a direct flight from Paris that allows you to reach them in just 5 hours. At other times, you will have to go through Canada and then take a flight or a boat... a real journey!

The main activity in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon is undoubtedly hiking. But, even in the middle of summer, the weather can quickly change. To discover the varied landscapes offered by the eight islands of the archipelago and its flowery meadows, it is advisable to pack warm clothes, using the "onion technique," as well as a waterproof jacket. This is also the case for nature outings or horseback rides that can be done on Saint-Pierre.

If you feel like it, you can go on a sea excursion to explore the 120 km of coastline and admire a wide variety of animals: over 300 bird species, dolphins, whales, and rorquals. Here, it is essential to dress warmly, as the sea winds can blow harshly.

And if the weather is not favorable, you can explore the shops and craft workshops of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. Woodworking, leatherworking, or pottery, there are plenty of beautiful memories to bring back in your suitcases!



Annual weather on the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon

For information about the climate and the weather city by city on the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon for a specific month, click on the corresponding line below:

January 36°F
9 days
February 34°F
8 days
March 34°F
7 days
April 40°F
7 days
May 45°F
7 days
June 52°F
8 days
July 61°F
8 days
August 67°F
7 days
September 61°F
6 days
October 54°F
7 days
November 47°F
8 days
December 40°F
9 days

Best time to travel to Saint Pierre and Miquelon by cities

Chargement en cours


Climate and Weather on the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon is located in the Atlantic Ocean, about twenty kilometers from the Canadian island of Newfoundland and over 4000 km from mainland France. Indeed, it is a French overseas collectivity.

The climate in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon is humid continental with a temperate summer and no dry season. In other words, temperatures never rise very high, regardless of the season, and humidity is particularly high. Annual precipitation in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon is frequent and abundant, whether in the form of rain or snow. Moreover, wind blows constantly, especially between October and June. Most of the strong winds are caused by depressions moving from west to east.

The weather in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon is largely influenced by the cold Labrador Current and the warm Gulf Stream. Consequently, temperature variations are very significant between seasons, but also within the same day. Although the diurnal temperature range is not significant, the weather is very changeable and can change rapidly.

It is also worth noting that the two main islands, connected by a sandy isthmus, are covered in fog about a third of the year. Indeed, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon experiences between 85 to 120 foggy days per year. The period most affected by this is between April and late July.

Saint Pierre and Miquelon: Saint Pierre depuis la mer

Summer in Saint Pierre and Miquelon

The climate in Saint Pierre and Miquelon is rather cool in summer: expect maximum temperatures between 16 and 19°C (67°F) . Exceptionally, the thermometer can reach peaks around 20°C (68°F) , but this remains rare. Throughout the season, rain is always present with an average of 7 rainy days per month.

  • In June, it's the thaw and the last patches of snow can persist until the end of the month. The climate remains unfavorable even with the arrival of summer. The atmosphere is humid and temperatures are low, with highs around 11°C (52°F) at the warmest part of the day.
  • In July, summer arrives for good. The atmosphere warms up, but rain is still very present. In the middle of the day, the thermometer hovers around 16°C (61°F) .
  • August is the hottest month of the year with highs nearing 20°C (68°F) .
  • In September, autumn is already here and it is cooler. Nevertheless, the climate remains favorable as precipitation is less frequent at this time.

Autumn in Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Even though the weather deteriorates rapidly from September, autumn in Saint Pierre and Miquelon can still offer beautiful sunny days.

The first frosts only appear during the second half of October. This month can also see the first snowflakes, but it is more generally in November that landscapes turn white and frosts become pronounced.

In December, ponds and peat bogs are completely frozen. Temperatures around 4°C (40°F) at the warmest part of the day and snow is on the menu.

Winter in Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Just like in neighboring northern Canada, winter in Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a very harsh season. It is very cold and, between December and March, temperatures hover around 0°C (32°F) . Additionally, a chilling wind blows constantly over the archipelago. At this time of year, snowfall is very abundant, especially in February and early March. However, it is exceptional for the sea to freeze to the point of interrupting navigation between the islands or the mainland.

Spring in Saint Pierre and Miquelon

While thawing begins in late March in Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the rise in temperatures is quite slow. It is still quite cool, and the ambient air, due to the very present wind, remains cold until the end of May. Moreover, every night until the end of spring, frost is present again throughout the island.

  • In April, the weather is still very unfavorable. Temperatures hardly exceed 5°C (41°F) and the sky is almost constantly overcast.
  • In May, the thermometer rises by 2 or 3 degrees, the sun returns, and nocturnal frosts gradually become less frequent. It is not uncommon for some late snowfalls to occur.
  • In June, temperatures are all positive, with highs between 9 and 11°C (52°F) . It is at this time that vegetation emerges from winter and trees become covered with leaves. However, rain is often present until the arrival of summer.

Temperatures and rainfall on the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon

On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Saint Pierre and Miquelon and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Saint-Pierre, Grand-Colombier Island, Ile aux Marins and Miquelon-Langlade, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.


Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons on the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Find out when Saint Pierre and Miquelon has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.

Tourist seasons on the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon

The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, October, November and December. The number of visitors to Saint Pierre and Miquelon is high in: August and September.

  • Very low season on the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon: January, February, March, May and November.
  • Low season on the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon: April, June, July, October and December.
  • High season on the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon: September.
  • Peak season on the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon: August.

Figure: Visitor index for Saint Pierre and Miquelon month by month


Average price for flights to Saint Pierre and Miquelon

A return flight between Montreal and Saint-Pierre is generally cheaper if you go in february ($ 938 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 81 more for your airline ticket to Saint-Pierre if you go in august.

Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Saint Pierre and Miquelon



Where to go on the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon?

This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).

Cities jan.feb.mar.apr.mayjun.jul.aug.sep.oct.nov.dec.
Saint-Pierre36°F34°F34°F40°F45°F52°F61°F67°F61°F54°F47°F40°F
Grand-Colombier Island36°F34°F34°F40°F45°F52°F61°F67°F61°F54°F47°F40°F
Ile aux Marins36°F34°F34°F40°F45°F52°F61°F67°F61°F54°F47°F40°F
Miquelon-Langlade36°F34°F34°F40°F45°F52°F61°F67°F61°F54°F47°F40°F

Legend:

good weather

bad weather

very bad weather


About Saint Pierre and Miquelon

What can I do on the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon?

Beaches / swimming

Nature and countryside

Culture and heritage

Sports

Family travel

Crafts / shopping

Gastronomy

Nightlife



Is this weather information for Saint Pierre and Miquelon reliable?

Climate data for Saint Pierre and Miquelon has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Saint Pierre and Miquelon allows us to determine the average for each month in Saint-Pierre, Grand-Colombier Island, Ile aux Marins and Miquelon-Langlade.

So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.

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