Aberdeen, on Scotland’s northeast coast, features a temperate oceanic climate with cool, cloudy summers and mild, damp winters. The city experiences frequent rainfall, brisk winds, and dramatic seasonal changes in daylight. Long summer days and short, grey winter days make Aberdeen a dynamic destination for both outdoor adventures and cultural experiences year-round.
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.
Aberdeen’s climate is shaped by its North Sea location and high latitude (57°N). Winters (December–February) are generally mild for Scotland, with average highs of 6–7°C and lows near 1°C. Frosty mornings are common, and snow can occur from November to April but is usually light and short-lived. Brisk winds and high humidity can make winter feel colder, while daylight is limited – just 6–7 hours in December and January. January is typically the wettest month, with around 70–80 mm of rain.
Summers (June–August) are cool and cloudy, with average highs of 16–19°C and lows of 10–11°C. Heatwaves are rare, but occasional warm spells can push temperatures above 25°C. Rainfall is steady, with about 70 mm per month, and showers are frequent but often brief. Summer days are long, with up to 17–18 hours of daylight and “white nights” in June when it never gets completely dark. Sunshine is limited, averaging 5–6 hours per day in summer and just 1–2 hours in winter. The North Sea keeps sea temperatures cool, peaking at 13.5°C in August. Spring and autumn are transitional, with spring warming slowly and autumn bringing increased rain and stronger winds. Annual precipitation is around 750–850 mm, spread over 130–145 days, and the city is known for its biting winds, especially in autumn and winter.
| Average climate data for Aberdeen, United Kingdom | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 16 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 37 | 33 | 25 | 16 | 30 | 50 | 62 | 57 | 27 | 33 | 40 | 33 | 442 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 15 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 184 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 33 | 52 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 18 | 140 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 18 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 83 | 83 | 81 | 79 | 81 | 85 | 84 | 84 | 85 | 85 | 84 | 84 | 83 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 23 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 18 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 54 | 56 | 56 | 52 | 51 | 57 | 56 | 51 | 50 | 54 | 57 | 50 | 54 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Aberdeen is from June to August, when temperatures are mildest (16–19°C), days are longest, and the city buzzes with festivals and outdoor events. These months offer the most daylight for sightseeing, coastal walks, and exploring the scenic countryside, though rain and clouds are still common.
The least favourable time is from November to February, when Aberdeen is coldest, wettest, and windiest. Short daylight hours, frequent rain, and brisk winds can limit outdoor activities, though the city’s museums, festive events, and cosy pubs provide warmth and shelter.
Aberdeen has a temperate oceanic climate with cool, cloudy summers (16–19°C), mild, damp winters (6–7°C), and frequent rain. Daylight hours vary dramatically, with long summer days and short winter days.
The best time to visit is June to August, when temperatures are mild, days are long, and the city hosts outdoor festivals. Spring and early autumn are also pleasant, with fewer tourists and blooming or colourful parks.
Snow can occur from November to April but is usually light and short-lived. Frosty mornings are common in winter, but severe cold snaps are rare due to the moderating effect of the North Sea.
Aberdeen receives about 750–850 mm of rain annually, with rainfall spread fairly evenly throughout the year. October to January are typically the wettest months, while April and May are driest.
Yes, Aberdeen is known for its brisk, biting winds, especially in autumn and winter. Wind speeds can reach up to 40–50 km/h during storms, so windproof clothing is recommended year-round.
Aberdeen averages about 1,450 hours of sunshine per year. Summer months see 5–6 hours of sun daily, while winter has just 1–2 hours. Cloud cover is frequent, so sunny intervals are cherished.
Pack layers, waterproof and windproof clothing, and sturdy shoes. An umbrella and a warm hat are useful, especially in autumn and winter. Even in summer, a jumper or light jacket is recommended for cool evenings.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (16.4 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (5.2 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 10.6 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (11.1 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (2.5 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 6.3 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (13.8 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (6.6 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 10.2 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (61.8 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is April (15.9 mm). Over the whole year there are 441.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (21.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (12.4 days). Over the whole year there are 184.4 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (51.6 mm). The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August and September (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 139.7 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (5.3 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are June, July, August and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 17.6 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is October (85 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (78.9 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 83 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (23 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (13.8 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 18.4 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is November (57.1 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is September (50 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 53.7 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 17.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 6.1 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: 7.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 4 h). Over the whole year there are 5.7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July, August and September (UV index: 4). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, March, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.9.
