Oxford, in south-central England, has a temperate maritime climate with mild summers, cool to cold winters, and rainfall spread throughout the year. The city rarely experiences temperature extremes, enjoys moderate sunshine, and is shaped by frequent clouds, breezes, and a persistent dampness, making weather conditions variable and often unpredictable.
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.
Oxford’s climate is classified as temperate maritime, characterised by moderate temperatures, frequent clouds, and rainfall distributed year-round. Summers (June–August) are short, mild, and comfortable, with average highs of 20–23°C and lows of 11–13°C. July is typically the warmest month, with rare heatwaves above 30°C. Sunshine peaks in summer, with up to 7 hours per day, and daylight can last up to 16–17 hours at the solstice. Rainfall is moderate, with 46–64 mm per month, and showers are frequent but usually brief. Humidity remains high, averaging around 75–80%.
Winters (December–February) are long, chilly, and mostly cloudy, with average highs of 7–9°C and lows of 1–3°C. Frost and ice are common, while snow is infrequent and rarely accumulates significantly. Winter days are short, with only 1–2 hours of sunshine and about 8 hours of daylight. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with spring highs rising from 9°C in March to 16°C in May, and autumn cooling from 20°C in September to 9°C in November. These seasons are marked by frequent rain, variable temperatures, and vibrant gardens or colourful foliage. Winds are moderate year-round, sometimes brisk in autumn and winter, and the city averages about 680 mm of precipitation annually.
Oxford’s weather is known for its inconsistency – rain can occur in any season, and it’s wise to dress in layers and carry an umbrella. The city’s climate supports lush gardens, green parks, and picturesque riversides, making it a pleasant destination for sightseeing and outdoor activities in the milder months.
| Average climate data for Oxford, United Kingdom | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 6 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 21 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 25 | 29 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 33 | 28 | 35 | 18 | 31 | 36 | 33 | 330 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 163 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 10 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 40 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 91 | 87 | 84 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 81 | 80 | 82 | 87 | 90 | 90 | 85 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 18 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
| 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 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 58 | 61 | 54 | 52 | 54 | 56 | 54 | 55 | 51 | 58 | 63 | 59 | 56 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Oxford is from May to September, when temperatures are mild (16–23°C), days are long and relatively sunny, and the city’s gardens and parks are at their most vibrant. This period is ideal for sightseeing, outdoor events, and enjoying the riverside, though rain showers remain possible.
The least favourable time to visit Oxford is from November to February, when days are short, temperatures are cool (7–9°C), and rain, frost, and occasional snow are frequent. Sunshine is limited, and dampness can make the city feel colder, reducing opportunities for outdoor activities.
Oxford’s annual average temperature is about 11°C. January is the coldest month (highs 7–8°C, lows 1–2°C), while July is the warmest (highs 21–23°C, lows 12–13°C).
Oxford receives about 680 mm of rain annually, with precipitation spread fairly evenly year-round. Snow is rare and usually light, mostly occurring between December and February, and rarely accumulates for long.
Oxford enjoys moderate sunshine, with the sunniest months in June–August (up to 7 hours per day). Winter is much cloudier, with only 1–2 hours of sunshine daily.
Late spring through early autumn (May–September) is best for outdoor activities, with mild temperatures, longer days, and less frequent rain. Summer is busiest and most comfortable for sightseeing and punting on the river.
Oxford is not a winter sports destination. The city rarely sees heavy snow, and temperatures are too mild for reliable ice or snow-based activities. Nearby regions also lack significant winter sports infrastructure.
Swimming in local rivers or outdoor pools is only comfortable in July and August, when water temperatures are warmest. Even then, the water can be chilly for most swimmers, and beach-style sunbathing is uncommon.
Pack layers for spring and autumn, light clothing and rain gear for summer, and insulated, waterproof clothing for winter. An umbrella or rain jacket is useful year-round due to frequent showers.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (20.8 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (6.4 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 13.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (12.3 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (1.5 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 6.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (35.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is September (17.9 mm). Over the whole year there are 330.1 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (16.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is September (11.3 days). Over the whole year there are 163 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (19.2 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 40.2 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (3.4 days). The month with the fewest days of snowfall is May (0 days). Over the whole year there are 8.5 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (90.6 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (79.6 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 85.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is December (18.1 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (13 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 15.1 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is November (62.6 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is September (51.4 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 56.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 16.1 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 August (Average sunshine: 7.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 3 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.
