Brighton, on England’s south coast, enjoys a temperate oceanic climate with mild summers, cool, damp winters, and frequent clouds. The city sees moderate rainfall year-round, rare snow, and brisk sea breezes. Seasonal shifts bring lively springs and autumns, making Brighton a vibrant destination for seaside fun and urban exploration.
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.
Brighton’s coastal climate is shaped by the English Channel, resulting in cool, rainy winters and mild, relatively rainy summers. Winter (December–February) daytime highs average 8–9°C, with lows around 3–4°C. Snow is rare but possible, and rain is frequent, with December and January among the wettest months (up to 105 mm). Winter days are short, with limited sunshine (1–2 hours) and about 8–9 hours of daylight. Humidity is high, and brisk winds from the sea are common, adding to the chill.
Summers (June–August) are mild and comfortable, with average highs of 20–22°C and lows of 12–14°C. July and August are the sunniest and warmest months, offering up to 7–8 hours of sunshine daily. Rainfall is less frequent than in winter, but showers remain common. The sea warms to 17°C in August and September, which is cool for swimming but popular for sunbathing on the pebble beaches. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with mild temperatures (10–18°C), moderate rainfall, and longer daylight. Annual precipitation is about 850 mm, and Brighton enjoys around 1,900 hours of sunshine per year. Winds are generally moderate to brisk, especially in autumn and winter.
| Average climate data for Brighton, United Kingdom | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 7 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 20 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 43 | 40 | 31 | 23 | 31 | 36 | 31 | 39 | 33 | 44 | 58 | 59 | 469 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 183 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 23 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 84 | 83 | 82 | 82 | 81 | 83 | 81 | 80 | 80 | 81 | 83 | 84 | 82 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 23 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 20 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 13 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 4 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 58 | 58 | 50 | 43 | 43 | 42 | 41 | 40 | 42 | 49 | 57 | 58 | 48 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
The best time to visit Brighton is from June to September, when temperatures are mild (18–22°C), days are long and relatively sunny, and the city’s beaches and festivals are at their most vibrant. Early autumn and late spring are also pleasant for sightseeing and outdoor activities, with fewer crowds than peak summer.
The least favourable time to visit Brighton is from November to February, when days are short, temperatures are cool (8–9°C), and rain, wind, and clouds are frequent. While snow is rare, dampness and limited sunshine can make the city feel colder and less inviting for outdoor pursuits.
Brighton’s annual average temperature is about 11–12°C. January and February are the coldest months (highs 8°C, lows 3°C), while July and August are the warmest (highs 20–22°C, lows 14°C).
Brighton receives about 850 mm of rain annually, with precipitation spread year-round. December, October, and November are wettest. Snow is rare, but can occasionally occur in winter.
Brighton enjoys about 1,900 hours of sunshine per year. July and August are the sunniest months (up to 7–8 hours/day), while December and January are the least sunny (1–2 hours/day).
Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) are best for outdoor activities, with mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and more sunshine. Summer is ideal for beach trips, though the sea remains cool.
Brighton itself is not a winter sports destination. Snow is rare and temperatures are too mild for reliable ice or snow-based activities. For winter sports, head to northern England or Scotland.
Swimming outdoors is most comfortable in August and September, when sea temperatures reach 17°C. Even then, the water is cool for most swimmers, but sunbathing is popular on warm, calm days.
Pack layers for spring and autumn, light clothing and rain gear for summer, and insulated, waterproof clothing for winter. An umbrella and windproof jacket are useful year-round.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (19.6 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (7.5 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 13.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (14.6 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (4.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 8.9 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is September (17.3 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (8.2 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 12.8 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is December (58.6 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is April (23.2 mm). Over the whole year there are 468.9 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is November (18.5 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is September (12.9 days). Over the whole year there are 183.3 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (7.9 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 23 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (1.8 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are June 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 January (84 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is September (79.7 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 82.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is December (24.5 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (16.9 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 20.1 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is December (58.2 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (39.6 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 48.4 %.
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: 8 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 9 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 3.1 h). Over the whole year there are 6.3 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 5). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February and November (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.4.
