Glasgow features an oceanic climate with cool, cloudy summers and cold, wet winters. The city is known for its frequent rain, brisk winds, and moderate temperature swings. Dramatic changes in daylight, persistent clouds, and lush green landscapes make Glasgow a classic example of Scotland’s famously unpredictable but mild weather.
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.
Glasgow’s climate is shaped by its westerly position and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in abundant rainfall, mild temperatures for its latitude, and frequent clouds. Winters (December–February) are cold and damp, with average highs of 6–8°C and lows near 1°C. Snow is possible but rarely heavy or long-lasting, while frost and fog are common, especially on clear nights. Rain is frequent, with December being the wettest month (up to 160 mm), and daylight is limited to just 7–8 hours in midwinter. The Gulf Stream keeps winter temperatures higher than in other cities at similar latitudes, but winds can make days feel colder.
Summers (June–August) are cool and often cloudy, with average highs around 17–19°C and lows near 10°C. Warm spells can push temperatures above 25°C, but such days are rare and short-lived. Rain remains frequent, though July and August are the driest summer months, and sunshine averages 5–6 hours per day at best. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with temperatures rising from 9°C in March to 15°C in May and dropping from 16°C in September to 8°C in November. Rainfall is steady, and winds are often brisk, especially in autumn and winter. Daylight varies dramatically, from less than 7 hours in December to over 17 hours in June, when 'white nights' mean it never gets fully dark. Overall, Glasgow receives about 1,300–1,400 mm of rain annually and is one of the UK’s rainiest cities, with more than 180 rainy days per year.
| Average climate data for Glasgow, United Kingdom | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 17 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 72 | 70 | 59 | 37 | 46 | 56 | 72 | 83 | 53 | 76 | 75 | 88 | 788 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 20 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 242 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 32 | 49 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 127 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 89 | 87 | 86 | 82 | 84 | 87 | 86 | 87 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 89 | 87 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 19 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 15 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 68 | 66 | 64 | 57 | 58 | 65 | 64 | 65 | 63 | 64 | 63 | 65 | 64 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Glasgow is during summer (June–August), when temperatures are mildest (15–19°C), daylight is longest, and the city is lively with festivals and outdoor events. While rain and clouds are still frequent, summer offers the most comfortable conditions for sightseeing, enjoying parks, and experiencing the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to February, when Glasgow is coldest, daylight hours are shortest, and rain, fog, and dampness are most frequent. While winter brings festive lights and cosy pubs, outdoor exploration can be less appealing due to chilly, wet, and unpredictable weather.
Glasgow has an oceanic climate with cool, cloudy summers and cold, wet winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, and temperature swings are moderate due to the city’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
Summer temperatures in Glasgow typically reach 17–19°C, but short heatwaves can push highs above 25°C. Evenings are usually cool, and rain or clouds are common even in the warmest months.
Snow is possible in Glasgow, mainly in winter, but it is usually light and melts quickly. Most winter precipitation falls as rain or drizzle, with heavy snow being rare and short-lived.
Rain falls year-round, but autumn and winter (October–January) are typically the wettest periods, with December being the rainiest month. Showers are frequent but often brief, so waterproof clothing is recommended.
Glasgow averages about 1,350–1,400 hours of sunshine annually. Summer months have up to 6 hours of sunshine per day, while winter months may see only 1–2 hours daily.
Bring layers, a waterproof jacket, and water-resistant shoes. Even in summer, pack a jumper or light jacket for cool evenings. An umbrella is useful, but a raincoat is often more practical due to frequent wind.
Glasgow is often windy, especially in autumn and winter. Humidity is high year-round, and dampness can make cold days feel even chillier. Winds can be brisk during storms, so dress accordingly.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (16.9 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (4.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 10.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (9.9 °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 5.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is December (87.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is April (36.7 mm). Over the whole year there are 787.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is August (23 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (17.4 days). Over the whole year there are 242.4 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (48.7 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 127.3 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 June, August and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 13.2 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is September (90.1 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (82.3 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 87.2 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (18.8 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (12.1 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 15.3 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (68 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is April (56.6 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 63.6 %.
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 June (Average sunshine: 7.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 3 h). Over the whole year there are 4.7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June and July (UV index: 4). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, March, April, October, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.7.
