Weather in Glasgow

Stay up to date with the latest weather conditions in the city of Glasgow. Below you will find current data, forecasts, and useful weather charts.

The climate in Glasgow, located in the United Kingdom, is characterised as temperate maritime. This means the city experiences mild winters and cool summers, without sharp temperature changes throughout the year. Annual average temperatures range from cool, but rarely freezing winter months to moderately warm summer ones.

There are four distinct seasons in Glasgow. Winter (December-February) is usually cool, with average temperatures around 4°C, and frequent rainfall. Spring (March-May) brings gradual warming, although the weather can be changeable. Summer (June-August) is the warmest time of the year, with average temperatures around 13-14°C, but heatwaves are rare. Autumn (September-November) is characterised by dropping temperatures, while a high frequency of rain persists, and some autumn months can be just as rainy as the summer ones.

One of the most notable features of the weather in Glasgow is the high humidity and frequent precipitation throughout the year. Although the monthly rainfall amount in millimetres may not look excessively large, the number of days with precipitation remains high in almost every month. This means tourists should be prepared for rain at any time of the year, so an umbrella or waterproof clothing will be very useful.

Glasgow experiences a temperate maritime climate with distinct seasonal temperature variations, yet without extreme values. The coldest month is usually January, when the average temperature hovers around the 3.6°C mark. During this period, minimum night-time temperatures can drop on average to 1.4°C, while maximum daytime temperatures rarely exceed 5.8°C. Conversely, the warmest months are July and August. In July, the average temperature is 14.3°C, with daytime highs around 17.4°C and night-time lows in the region of 11.1°C. August shows very similar figures with an average temperature of 14.1°C. Thus, the annual temperature progression in Glasgow is characterised by cool winters and mild, moderately warm summers.

The summer months in Glasgow, covering the period from June to August, are distinguished by pleasantly warm weather, which is ideal for exploring the city without exhausting heat. Average maximum temperatures at this time range from 16.6°C in June to 17.4°C in July. Nights remain fresh, with temperatures dropping on average to 9.8°C - 11.1°C. The winter period, from December to February, brings cool and damp weather. Average daily highs during these months range from 5.8°C to 6.8°C, while night-time temperatures can decrease to 1.4°C - 2.2°C, which implies the possibility of light frosts, although severe freezes are not typical for Glasgow.

Diurnal temperature variations in Glasgow are generally moderate. The greatest difference between day and night temperatures is usually observed in the spring months. For example, in April and May, this difference can reach about 7.0°C - 7.4°C (between avg_max_temp 10.7°C and avg_min_temp 3.4°C in April; and avg_max_temp 14.2°C and avg_min_temp 6.8°C in May). In summer months, such as June and July, the difference between the daily maximum and night-time minimum is approximately 6-7°C. In winter, however, diurnal temperature fluctuations are somewhat smaller, staying in the range of 4-5°C (for instance, in January the difference between 5.8°C and 1.4°C is 4.4°C).

Glasgow is known for its changeable weather, and precipitation here is a fairly frequent occurrence throughout the year. There is no clearly defined dry season in the city; rather, one can speak of periods with a higher or lower probability of rain. In general, precipitation is not distinguished by great intensity, but its frequency makes an umbrella or raincoat a practically mandatory attribute for a traveller in the United Kingdom.

Speaking of the wettest periods, February and October stand out as the months with the highest amount of precipitation (about 5 mm) and one of the highest numbers of rainy days – 19 and 20 days respectively. August is also distinguished by a high frequency of precipitation, counting on average 20 days with rain, although the total amount is slightly less (4 mm). The least rainy month is considered to be April: at this time only about 2 mm of precipitation falls, and the number of "wet" days reduces to 13.

The character of precipitation in Glasgow is predominantly light or moderate rain, as well as frequent drizzle, rather than heavy downpours. In winter, especially in January and February, when average minimum temperatures approach 1.4°C - 2.2°C, precipitation falls as rain, but due to low temperatures, wet snow or ice pellets are also possible, although the total amount of precipitation remains small (4-5 mm per month). In summer months, such as July, despite 17 rainy days, the total amount of precipitation is only about 3 mm, which also indicates a prevalence of non-intensive rains.

When planning a trip to Glasgow, it is important to consider its changeable weather, characterised by frequent rainfall and moderate temperatures throughout the year. The key principle when packing your suitcase should be layering. Indispensable items at any time of year will be a quality waterproof jacket (preferably with a hood) and a sturdy umbrella, as rain can start suddenly. Also, be sure to take comfortable waterproof shoes with you, as you will likely be walking a lot while exploring the city. Don't forget a sweater or fleece top, which will come in handy even in summer during cool evenings or windy days.

In the winter months (from December to March), when the average temperature hovers around 3-5°C, you will need warm clothes: a winter jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves. Thermal underwear would not be amiss either. In spring (April-May) and autumn (September-November), the weather can be very variable. It might be cool in the morning and relatively warm during the day. Therefore, pack clothes that are easy to combine: t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, jumpers, and light but waterproof outerwear. In summer (June-August), average temperatures rise to 13-14°C, with highs around 17°C. Although the weather becomes warmer, you should not forget a raincoat and a light jacket or cardigan. Even in the summer months, the number of rainy days remains high, so readiness for precipitation is your main priority when packing for a trip to Glasgow.