Weather in Plymouth

Planning a trip to Plymouth or already there? Get the most up-to-date weather information, including detailed forecasts and visual charts, to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

The climate in Plymouth, located on the south-west coast of the United Kingdom, can be described as temperate maritime. It is characterized by mild winters and relatively cool summers, without sharp temperature fluctuations throughout the year. Thanks to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, the weather here is quite changeable, but severe frosts or sweltering heat rarely occur.

There are four distinct seasons in Plymouth. Winter (December-February) is mild, with average temperatures around 5-7°C, although cooler days occur occasionally. Spring (March-May) brings gradual warming, with average temperatures rising from 7°C to 12°C. Summer (June-August) is usually warm but not hot, with average temperatures in the range of 14-17°C. Autumn (September-November) is characterized by a gradual decrease in temperature and an increase in the number of cloudy days.

One of the notable features of the weather in Plymouth is the relatively even distribution of precipitation throughout the year, although the data indicates a small amount of rainfall monthly (2-4 mm). However, the number of days with precipitation is quite significant (from 13 to 18 days per month), which suggests frequent, but generally not very intense rains or drizzle. The highest number of rainy days occurs in March, October, and December.

The climate in Plymouth is characterized by moderate temperatures throughout the year, without sharp extremes. The warmest month is usually July with an average temperature of 16.5°C, when maximum daytime values can reach 19.7°C, and night-time lows can drop to 13.2°C. August is also warm, with similar figures: an average temperature of 16.4°C, a maximum of 19.4°C, and a minimum of 13.4°C. The coolest month is traditionally January, when the average temperature is 5.9°C, with daytime highs around 8.1°C and night-time lows dropping to 3.6°C.

The summer months in Plymouth, from June to August, offer pleasant warmth, ideal for walking and exploring the city. Daytime temperatures usually hover in the 18-20°C range, while nights remain quite mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below 11-13°C. Significant daily temperature fluctuations are not observed in summer; the difference between day and night figures averages 5-7°C, ensuring comfortable conditions around the clock.

Winter in Plymouth, covering the period from December to February, is distinguished by its mildness and the absence of severe frosts. Average temperatures during these months vary from 5.9°C in January to 7.4°C in December. During the day, the thermometer usually shows from 8°C to 9°C, and at night the temperature rarely drops below 3-5°C. As in summer, the difference between day and night temperatures in winter is small, making the weather quite stable and predictable. The transitional seasons – spring and autumn – are characterized by gradual temperature changes without sharp jumps, ensuring a smooth transition from cool to warm and back again.

In Plymouth, precipitation is a frequent occurrence throughout the year, so travellers should be prepared for rainy weather in almost any season. The city is characterized by a high frequency of precipitation, although judging by the provided monthly average data, the total amount in any specific month is not very large, which may indicate the predominantly drizzly nature of the rains.

The greatest amount of precipitation falls in October and December, when 4 mm is recorded. These months are also distinguished by the maximum number of rainy days: 17 days in October and 18 days in December. March also stands out with a high frequency of precipitation – on average 17 days, while the total amount of precipitation is 3 mm. Such a combination (a small number of millimetres with a large number of days with precipitation) confirms the assumption that rains in Plymouth are most often light and prolonged, rather than heavy downpours.

Periods with the lowest recorded rainfall occur in April, May, June, and August – in these months, 2 mm falls. However, even in these nominally "drier" months, the number of days with precipitation remains significant, amounting to about 13 days. This means that the chance of getting caught in the rain remains almost constantly. Considering the average monthly temperatures, especially in the winter period, the bulk of precipitation falls as rain; snow is a rather rare phenomenon for Plymouth.

When planning a trip to Plymouth, it is important to consider its temperate maritime climate with frequent rainfall and noticeable winds, especially in the coastal zone. The key principle when packing your suitcase should be layering. Regardless of the time of year, you will need a good waterproof and windproof jacket, as well as a convenient folding umbrella, since the number of rainy days is significant throughout the year (from 13 to 18 days per month). Do not forget comfortable, preferably waterproof, shoes for walking around the city and its surroundings.

In the cold months, roughly from October to March, when the average temperature ranges from 5.9°C to 12.1°C, and the minimum can drop to 3-4°C, be sure to take warm clothes with you: sweaters or fleece jackets, warm trousers, a hat, a scarf, and gloves. In the warmer period, from April to September, average temperatures rise to 9.1°C - 16.5°C, with maximum values around 18-20°C. At this time, you will need lighter items – t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, light trousers, or jeans. However, even in summer, evenings can be cool, so a light jumper or cardigan will always come in handy. Do not forget sunscreen and sunglasses in the summer months, as the sun can be active even at moderate temperatures.

Given that even in the driest months precipitation amounts to 2-3 mm, while the number of "wet days" remains high, having waterproof clothing and footwear is a priority. Layering will allow you to easily adapt to the changeable weather of Plymouth, adding or removing layers of clothing depending on the temperature and how you feel. This will ensure your comfort while exploring this interesting seaside city in the United Kingdom.