France is surrounded by land and sea alternately, with the inland having high mountain ranges like the Alps, the Jura and the Pyrenees. Due to this geographic arrangement, the climate in France has diverse climate patterns that are extremely difficult to forecast. The climate variations are generally a result of atmospheric pressures. The low barometric pressure in the surrounding areas creates winds with heavy rainfall while high pressures generate dry air. The global warming effect has further made the climate of France more uncertain and drastic in recent years.

The various patterns of climate in France include temperate, oceanic, continental and Mediterranean climates. The region of France can be divided into four corresponding types of climatic zones, depending on the geographical locations of each zone. If we start with the eastern part of France, the climate zone is extreme in nature. The summers are dry and hot while the winters are extremely cold. This climate zone covers part of the southeastern region of France, and, along with the east, is under the influence of dry winds that flow from the east towards the south of France. The climate of France in these regions is regulated to extreme summer or winters due to these winds, as they blow hot air during summer and chilled air during winters. It is only in the extreme southeast corner of France that these winds weaken, due to which Cannes and Nice have a moderate climate.

The western regions of France and some parts of the northwestern region have a moderate climate, also known as an oceanic climate. Compared to east and some regions of southeast, these regions have mild summers and winters. But sometimes, due to development of low pressure in the Atlantic Ocean, non-seasonal heavy rains can happen in this zone. The adjacent climate zone has better climatic conditions favorable for agriculture. This zone is known as a semi-oceanic climate zone, with moderate and timely rainfall. It also has mild summer and winter seasons. Owing to these suidiv climatic conditions, this area of France has world famous vineyards, including region of Champagne.

The semi-oceanic climatic zone is surrounded by the Massif Central mountain range. The wet winds from the west of these mountains carry clouds that results in continuous rainfall in this region, while on the eastern part of these mountains, the climate is dry with respect to the dry winds from the east.