Edinburgh features a temperate maritime climate with cool, cloudy summers and cold, damp winters. Rain and wind are frequent year-round, but temperature extremes are rare due to the city’s proximity to the sea. Dramatic seasonal changes in daylight and unpredictable weather make Edinburgh a city where you can often experience all four seasons in a single day.
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.
Edinburgh’s climate is shaped by its northern latitude and closeness to the North Sea, resulting in four distinct but mild seasons. Winters (December to February) are cold and damp, with average highs of 6–7°C and lows around 1–2°C. Snow is rare but possible, while rain and fog are frequent, and strong winds are common, especially on exposed hills and coastal areas. Daylight is limited in winter, with as little as 7 hours on the shortest days, and sunshine is scarce – averaging just 1.5–2.5 hours per day.
Summers (June to August) are cool and relatively mild, with average highs of 17–19°C and lows around 10–11°C. Heatwaves are rare, though temperatures can occasionally reach the high 20s. Days are long, with up to 17.5 hours of daylight and 'white nights' in June when it never gets fully dark. Rain is still frequent, but showers are usually light and interspersed with sunny spells. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are transitional, with temperatures ranging from 6–15°C. Both seasons bring variable weather – sunshine, rain, and wind can all occur within a single day. Autumn is particularly known for its golden foliage and increasing rainfall, while spring sees blooming gardens and rapidly lengthening days.
Edinburgh receives about 750–900 mm of precipitation annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year, though autumn and winter tend to be wetter. Sunshine averages 1,350–1,450 hours per year, with May and June the sunniest months. The North Sea keeps the climate moderate, but strong winds and rapid weather changes are common. Sea temperatures are cool year-round, peaking at 14–15°C in August. The city’s hilly terrain and microclimates mean weather can differ even between neighbourhoods, so locals and visitors alike dress in layers and carry waterproofs year-round.
| Average climate data for Edinburgh, United Kingdom | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 5 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 17 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 33 | 44 | 37 | 25 | 36 | 55 | 63 | 71 | 32 | 41 | 38 | 39 | 512 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 16 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 205 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 12 | 24 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 66 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 88 | 84 | 84 | 80 | 81 | 83 | 86 | 85 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 85 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 20 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 17 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 59 | 59 | 58 | 51 | 55 | 60 | 60 | 59 | 57 | 58 | 58 | 57 | 58 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Edinburgh is from late May to August, when temperatures are mild (15–20°C), daylight is at its longest, and the city is alive with festivals and outdoor events. This period offers the most comfortable weather for sightseeing and enjoying Edinburgh’s parks, gardens, and historic streets.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to February, when Edinburgh is coldest, daylight hours are shortest, and rain, wind, and dampness are most frequent. While winter brings festive charm, outdoor activities can be challenging due to the chilly, unpredictable weather and limited sunshine.
Edinburgh has a temperate maritime climate with cool, cloudy summers and cold, damp winters. Rain and wind are frequent, but temperature extremes are rare due to the city’s proximity to the sea.
Snow is rare but possible in Edinburgh, mainly in winter. When it does occur, it is usually light and melts quickly. Most winter precipitation falls as rain or drizzle.
May and June are the sunniest months in Edinburgh, with up to 6–6.5 hours of sunshine per day and long daylight hours. Summer days can last up to 17.5 hours.
Edinburgh receives about 750–900 mm of rain annually, with precipitation spread fairly evenly throughout the year. Autumn and winter tend to be wetter, but rain can occur in any season.
Yes, Edinburgh is known for its frequent winds, especially on hills and near the coast. Winds are strongest in autumn and winter and can make temperatures feel colder than they are.
Pack layers, a waterproof jacket, and sturdy, water-resistant shoes. Even in summer, bring a jumper and umbrella. Edinburgh’s weather can change quickly, so be prepared for all conditions.
The North Sea near Edinburgh is cool year-round, peaking at 14–15°C in August. Swimming is possible but best for those accustomed to cold water.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (17.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (4.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 10.9 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (10.5 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (1.7 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 5.6 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (15.1 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (6.9 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 10.8 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is August (70.8 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is April (25.2 mm). Over the whole year there are 512.3 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (22.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (13.2 days). Over the whole year there are 205 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (24 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 65.8 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (2.7 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are June, July and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 9.3 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (88.1 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (79.7 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 84.8 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (20.2 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is June (13.1 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 16.7 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is July (59.9 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is April (51.2 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 57.5 %.
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 April (Average sunshine: 7.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 4 h). Over the whole year there are 5.3 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June, July and August (UV index: 4). The month with the lowest average UV index is January (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.8.
