Leeds, in northern England, experiences a temperate oceanic climate with mild summers and chilly, damp winters. Rainfall is spread throughout the year, and cloud cover is frequent, especially in winter. The city’s seasonal contrasts, moderate humidity, and occasional snow make Leeds a dynamic destination for both urban exploration and access to Yorkshire’s countryside.
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.
Leeds’ climate is shaped by its inland location and the influence of Atlantic weather systems. Winters (December–February) are cold and damp, with average highs of 5–7°C and lows of 1–2°C. January is the coldest month, often dipping below freezing at night, leading to frosty mornings and occasional light snow. Snowfall is possible from December to March, but heavy accumulations are rare and usually short-lived. Rain is frequent in winter, with up to 60–70 mm per month and 15–18 wet days. Days are short, with just 7–8 hours of daylight, and sunshine is scarce – often only 1–2 hours per day. Winds are moderate to strong, especially in exposed areas, and can make the chill feel more intense.
Summers (June–August) are mild and relatively pleasant, with average highs of 18–21°C and lows of 11–13°C. July is the warmest month, but temperatures above 25°C are uncommon. Rainfall is moderate, with June and August among the wetter months (55–80 mm), but showers are often brief and followed by sunny intervals. Summer days are long, with up to 16–17 hours of daylight and 5–6 hours of sunshine. Humidity is moderate, and the city’s parks and countryside are at their greenest. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with spring warming from 10°C in March to 16°C in May, and autumn cooling from 17°C in September to 10°C in November. Rain falls year-round, and Leeds averages about 620–800 mm of precipitation annually and 1,500–1,600 hours of sunshine. The city is known for its brisk winds, especially in autumn and winter, and weather can change quickly, so layers and rain gear are always advisable.
| Average climate data for Leeds, United Kingdom | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 5 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 20 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 23 | 32 | 26 | 17 | 31 | 49 | 48 | 44 | 27 | 42 | 39 | 27 | 405 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 175 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 16 | 26 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 63 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 87 | 86 | 82 | 79 | 79 | 80 | 78 | 80 | 83 | 86 | 89 | 90 | 83 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 17 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 15 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 58 | 58 | 55 | 50 | 54 | 58 | 53 | 53 | 52 | 58 | 60 | 54 | 55 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Leeds is from May to mid-June and late September to October, when temperatures are mild (15–18°C), rainfall is moderate, and the city is lively with festivals and outdoor events. These months offer comfortable weather for sightseeing, lower hotel prices, and fewer crowds than in peak summer.
The least favourable time is from November to February, when Leeds is coldest, wettest, and least sunny. Rain, wind, and short daylight hours can limit outdoor activities, though the city’s museums, Christmas markets, and cafés offer a cosy refuge from the weather.
Leeds has a temperate oceanic climate with mild summers (18–21°C), chilly, damp winters (5–7°C), and rainfall throughout the year. Snow is possible in winter, but heavy snow is rare and short-lived.
The best time to visit Leeds is in spring (May–mid-June) and autumn (late September–October), when the weather is mild, rainfall is moderate, and the city is lively with festivals and outdoor events.
Snow is possible from December to March, especially in January and February, but it is usually light and doesn’t last long. Most winter precipitation falls as rain, and frost is common on colder nights.
Leeds receives about 620–800 mm of precipitation annually, with rain distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. June, August, and October are typically the wettest months, while February and April are driest.
Leeds enjoys about 1,500–1,600 hours of sunshine each year. May to August are the sunniest months, with up to 6 hours daily, while winter months are much gloomier.
Yes, Leeds experiences moderate to strong winds year-round, especially in autumn and winter. Winds are generally stronger during storms, contributing to the city’s brisk, fresh atmosphere.
Pack layers, waterproof and windproof clothing, and sturdy shoes. An umbrella is useful year-round due to frequent showers. Even in summer, a jumper or light jacket is recommended for cool evenings.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (19.6 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (5.3 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 12.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (11.9 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (1.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 5.9 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is June (49.1 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is April (17 mm). Over the whole year there are 404.6 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (20 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (11.8 days). Over the whole year there are 175.4 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (26.3 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 62.6 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (4 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are May, June, July, August and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 10.6 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is December (89.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (78.4 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 83.3 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (18.1 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is June (12.4 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 15 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is November (60.2 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is April (50.5 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 55.3 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 17 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 7 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 August (Average sunshine: 7.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 3.9 h). Over the whole year there are 5.5 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.
