Bristol, in southwest England, has a temperate oceanic climate with mild summers and cool, damp winters. The city enjoys moderate rainfall throughout the year, rarely experiences temperature extremes, and is known for its unpredictable weather. Sunshine peaks in summer, while winters are cloudier and wetter, making Bristol a vibrant destination in all seasons.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Bristol’s climate is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in mild temperatures and rainfall spread fairly evenly year-round. Summers (June–August) are comfortable and mild, with average highs of 20–23°C and lows around 12–14°C. July is typically the warmest and sunniest month, offering up to 7.3 hours of sunshine daily. Rainfall is moderate, with 55–75 mm per month in summer, and brief showers are common. Sea temperatures peak at 16°C in August and September, but the water remains cool for most swimmers.
Winters (December–February) are cool, damp, and often cloudy, with average highs of 7–9°C and lows near 2–3°C. Frosts are frequent, but snow is rare and usually short-lived. Rain is more prevalent in winter, with November and December being the wettest months (up to 90 mm). Sunshine is limited to 1–2 hours per day, and daylight can be as short as 8 hours. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with variable weather, blooming gardens, or colourful foliage. Winds are moderate year-round, sometimes brisk in winter and autumn. Annual precipitation averages 820–870 mm, and Bristol receives about 1,660–1,885 hours of sunshine per year.
| Average climate data for Bristol, United Kingdom | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 7 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 20 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 12 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 19 | 14 | 19 | 12 | 16 | 22 | 20 | 189 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 124 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 87 | 85 | 82 | 81 | 81 | 83 | 81 | 81 | 82 | 86 | 89 | 87 | 84 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 18 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 4 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 60 | 60 | 56 | 52 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 52 | 58 | 64 | 59 | 56 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Bristol is from late spring to early autumn (May to September), when temperatures are mild (16–23°C), days are long and sunny, and the city’s parks and gardens are at their most vibrant. This period is ideal for sightseeing, festivals, and outdoor activities, though rain showers remain possible.
The least favourable time to visit Bristol is from November to February, when days are short, temperatures are cool (7–9°C), and rain and cloud cover are frequent. While snow is rare, dampness and limited sunshine can make the city feel colder and less inviting for outdoor pursuits.
Bristol’s annual average temperature is about 10.5°C. January is the coldest month (highs 7–8°C, lows 2–3°C), while July is the warmest (highs 21–23°C, lows 13–14°C).
Bristol receives about 820–870 mm of precipitation annually. Rain falls year-round, with November and December being the wettest months. Snow is rare and usually melts quickly.
Bristol enjoys 1,660–1,885 hours of sunshine per year. July is the sunniest month (up to 7.3 hours/day), while December is the least sunny (1.8 hours/day).
Late spring through early autumn (May–September) is best for outdoor activities, with mild temperatures, longer days, and more sunshine. Summer is busiest and most comfortable for festivals, walking, and river cruises.
Bristol is not a winter sports destination. The city rarely sees heavy snow, and temperatures are too mild for reliable ice or snow-based activities. For winter sports, head to northern England or Scotland.
Sea temperatures near Bristol are warmest in August and September (16°C), but still cool for most swimmers. Outdoor swimming is only comfortable for a few weeks in late summer.
Pack layers for spring and autumn, light clothing and rain gear for summer, and insulated, waterproof clothing for winter. An umbrella is useful year-round due to frequent showers.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (20.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (7.1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 13.5 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (12.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (2.8 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 7.1 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (22.1 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is April (11.9 mm). Over the whole year there are 188.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (12.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is October (8.2 days). Over the whole year there are 123.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (4 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 8.9 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (2.4 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are July, August, September and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 5.3 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is November (89.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is May (80.9 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 83.8 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (18.8 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (13.2 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 15.7 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is November (63.8 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is May (51.5 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 56.2 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 16 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 7.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 7.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 3.1 h). Over the whole year there are 5.4 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June, July, August and September (UV index: 4). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.1.
