Weather in Edinburgh

Planning a trip to Edinburgh? Here you will find the latest weather information, including forecasts and useful charts, to ensure your journey is comfortable at any time of the year.

The climate of Edinburgh is characterized as temperate maritime. This means there are no extremes here: summers are usually not hot, and winters are relatively mild, without severe frosts. The weather in the city is known for its changeability, so be prepared for a sunny day to quickly turn cloudy and vice versa.

Four seasons are clearly distinct in Edinburgh. Winter (December-February) is cool, with average temperatures around 3-5°C. Spring (March-May) brings gradual warming, with average temperatures rising from 5°C to 11°C. Summer (June-August) is the warmest time of the year, but heat is rare here; average temperatures hover around 13-15°C, with maximum values around 17-18°C. Autumn (September-November) brings gradual cooling, with temperatures dropping from 12°C to 6°C, and this is one of the wettest periods.

A characteristic feature of the weather in Edinburgh is the high probability of precipitation throughout the year. Although the monthly amount of rainfall in millimetres might not seem very large (2-4 mm according to the provided data), the number of "wet days" (days with precipitation) is quite significant – from 12 to 18 days per month. This means that light rain or drizzle are frequent companions of the local weather. October stands out as the month with the highest number of rainy days. Therefore, when packing for Edinburgh, do not forget an umbrella or a raincoat at any time of the year.

The temperature regime in Edinburgh is distinguished by moderation throughout the year, without sharp spikes of heat or severe frosts. The annual temperature range usually fluctuates from minimum values of about 1.8°C in January to maximums of about 18.0°C in July. The coldest month is typically January, with an average temperature of 3.9°C, when night temperatures can drop to 1.8°C, and daytime temperatures rarely rise above 5.9°C. The warmest month becomes July, when the average temperature reaches 14.8°C, with daytime highs around 18.0°C and nighttime lows around 11.6°C. August is also very warm, with an average temperature of 14.4°C.

The summer months in Edinburgh, especially July and August, offer pleasant warmth, ideal for walking and sightseeing. Daytime highs during this period are usually in the range of 16-18°C, and average temperatures stay in the comfortable zone of 14-15°C. Winter here is relatively mild and cool. In the coldest months, such as January and December, average temperatures hover around 4-5°C. Nighttime lows can drop to 2-3°C, while daytime temperatures usually do not exceed 6-7°C. Daily temperature fluctuations in Edinburgh are moderate: the difference between daytime highs and nighttime lows is usually between 4°C and 7°C. The largest differences, reaching about 7°C, are observed in the spring and early summer months, for example, in May (from 7.0°C to 14.3°C).

Precipitation in Edinburgh is an almost year-round phenomenon, and the city does not have a clearly defined dry season. Instead, a fairly stable picture is observed with frequent but usually light rains. The amount of precipitation in millimetres remains low throughout the year, varying from 2 to 4 mm per month, indicating a prevalence of light drizzle or short showers over prolonged downpours.

Despite the general uniformity, some nuances can be highlighted. October is traditionally considered the wettest month, both in terms of precipitation amount (about 4 mm) and the number of rainy days — there are on average 18 of them in this month. The least amount of precipitation (2 mm each) falls in January, April, May, June, and September. However, even in these conditionally "drier" months, the probability of rain remains high. For example, in January, which is one of the "driest" by precipitation volume, there are about 12 rainy days. In other months, such as February, March, May, July, August, and December, the number of rainy days ranges from 15 to 16, with a monthly precipitation norm of 3 mm.

Thus, when planning a trip to Edinburgh, it is worth being prepared for the fact that rain can catch you on any day, regardless of the season. The number of "wet" days ranges from 12 (in January) to 18 (in October), which accounts for from a third to more than half of the days of the month. In winter, at low temperatures, precipitation falls mainly in the form of rain, as the provided data indicate a small total amount of moisture and do not contain information about regular snowfalls.

When planning a trip to Edinburgh, be prepared for its famously changeable weather and frequent precipitation. The key principle when packing your suitcase is layering. Light layers of clothing will allow you to quickly adapt to sudden changes in temperature and wind, which is not uncommon here. Be sure to take a waterproof and windproof jacket or raincoat, as well as a compact but sturdy umbrella, because even with a small total amount of precipitation (2-4 mm per month), there can be from 12 to 18 rainy days in a month. Since Edinburgh is a city for walking on hills and cobblestones, comfortable, broken-in waterproof shoes will become your best friend.

In the winter months (from December to February), when the average temperature ranges from 3.9°C to 4.7°C, you will need warm clothes: sweaters (wool or fleece), insulated trousers, perhaps thermal underwear, as well as a hat, scarf, and gloves. For a summer visit (June-August), when the average temperature rises to 13-15°C, and the maximum rarely exceeds 18°C, t-shirts, light trousers or skirts will suit, but be sure to grab a light jacket or cardigan for cool evenings and that same windbreaker in case of rain. In spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), the weather can be particularly variable, so a combination of warm and light items that can be mixed and matched will be the most practical solution. Do not forget sunscreen, as even on a cool but clear day, the sun can be active, especially in spring and summer.