Weather in Durham

Planning your day in Durham? In this section, you will find the latest weather updates, including current data and forecasts, to ensure your journey is as comfortable as possible.

Durham, located in the United Kingdom, has a temperate maritime climate. This means there are no extreme temperatures, neither too hot nor too cold. The weather throughout the year is quite changeable, with frequent, though usually light, precipitation.

There are four distinct seasons in Durham. Summers are generally mild and moderately warm, with average temperatures in July and August around 15-16°C. Winters are cool but rarely severe, with average temperatures in January and December hovering around 4-5°C. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with gradual temperature changes.

A characteristic feature of the weather in Durham is the relatively high number of rainy days throughout the year, averaging 12 to 16 days per month. However, the total amount of rainfall is low, indicating frequent but light rain or drizzle rather than heavy downpours. This creates a typically British atmosphere with frequent shifts between sunny and cloudy spells.

Durham experiences a temperate climate with noticeable seasonal temperature variations. The coldest months are usually January, when the average temperature is about 4.2°C (with lows around 2.1°C and highs around 6.3°C), and December with an average temperature of 4.9°C. The warmest months are July and August. In July, the average temperature reaches 15.6°C, with daily highs averaging up to 19.1°C and nightly lows around 12.1°C. August is slightly cooler, with an average temperature of 15.3°C.

Summer temperatures in Durham can be described as pleasantly warm, but not exhaustingly hot. Maximum daytime temperatures rarely rise above 20°C, creating comfortable conditions for walking and sightseeing. Winters here are generally cool and damp, but without severe frosts. Average minimum temperatures in winter fluctuate around 2-3°C, while maximum daytime temperatures usually stay above freezing, reaching 6-7°C. Snow is possible but usually does not settle for long.

Temperature differences between day and night are not extreme but are noticeable. For instance, in the summer months, the difference between the average maximum and minimum temperature is about 7-8°C (e.g., in July from 12.1°C to 19.1°C). In the winter months, this difference is somewhat smaller, around 4-5°C (e.g., in January from 2.1°C to 6.3°C). Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with gradual warming or cooling, with May and September offering comfortable average temperatures of around 11°C and 13.1°C respectively.

In Durham, precipitation is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, making it difficult to distinguish a clearly defined rainy season or, conversely, a dry period. The total amount of rainfall each month is low, suggesting that rain tends to be light and drizzly rather than in the form of heavy downpours. Despite the small amount, rainy days are recorded quite frequently in almost every month.

Looking at the data in more detail, February, July, and October are months with slightly higher precipitation, reaching 3 mm. In other months, an average of 2 mm falls. The highest frequency of precipitation is observed in July, when about 16 rainy days are recorded on average. It also rains quite often in March, May, August, and October, with approximately 15 wet days each. The lowest number of days with precipitation (about 12) occurs in January, April, and June.

In the winter months, especially from December to February, when average temperatures range from 4.2°C to 5.1°C and minimums can drop to 2.1°C – 2.9°C, some precipitation may fall as snow or sleet. However, given the generally low amount of precipitation, even during this period, the predominant type remains light rain or drizzle. In the warmer seasons, precipitation comes exclusively as rain.

When planning a trip to Durham, it is important to consider the changeable weather characteristic of the United Kingdom. The key principle when packing should be layering, as temperatures can change throughout the day and the weather is often windy. Although the monthly rainfall in millimetres is low (averaging 2-3 mm), note the high frequency of rainy days – from 12 to 16 per month almost year-round. Therefore, a light waterproof jacket with a hood or a reliable umbrella will be extremely useful at any time of year.

In winter (November to March), the average air temperature ranges from 2°C to 9°C. During this period, you will need warm, windproof, and waterproof outerwear, sweaters, fleece tops, a hat, a scarf, and gloves. In summer (June to August), the weather is significantly milder, with average temperatures from 10°C to 19°C. However, even in the summer months, it is recommended to carry a light jacket or jumper for cool evenings or in case of sudden rain. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) can be particularly changeable, with average temperatures from 7°C to 15°C, so layered clothing including both light and warmer items will be the most practical choice.

Regardless of the season, be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, preferably water-resistant, as you will likely want to explore Durham's historic streets on foot. Do not forget casual clothing that is easy to mix and match. Given the frequent precipitation and potential wind, a compact, sturdy umbrella and a windbreaker will be your reliable companions while walking around the city.