Climate Insights for Edinburgh

City of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Hottest
July
19°C peak66°F peak
Coldest
January
2°C low36°F low
Wettest
October
92 mm rain3.6 in rain
Best to Visit
July, August
Mild temps & low rain

Climate Overview

The climate in Edinburgh is cool. The average annual temperature is 10°C and approximately 845 mm of precipitation falls per year. Edinburgh receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Edinburgh is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to 2°C. Light snow can occur between January and December.The climate in Edinburgh is cool. The average annual temperature is 49°F and approximately 33.3 in of precipitation falls per year. Edinburgh receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Edinburgh is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to 36°F. Light snow can occur between January and December.

Temperature

0°5°10°15°20°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanMax: 7°Average: 5°Min: 2°FebMax: 8°Average: 5°Min: 3°MarMax: 9°Average: 6°Min: 3°AprMax: 11°Average: 8°Min: 4°MayMax: 15°Average: 11°Min: 8°JunMax: 17°Average: 14°Min: 10°JulMax: 19°Average: 15°Min: 12°AugMax: 18°Average: 15°Min: 12°SepMax: 16°Average: 13°Min: 10°OctMax: 13°Average: 10°Min: 8°NovMax: 9°Average: 7°Min: 4°DecMax: 7°Average: 5°Min: 3°
Max
Average
Min
0°F10°F20°F30°F40°F50°F60°F70°FJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanMax: 44°FAverage: 40°FMin: 36°FFebMax: 46°FAverage: 42°FMin: 37°FMarMax: 49°FAverage: 43°FMin: 38°FAprMax: 52°FAverage: 46°FMin: 40°FMayMax: 59°FAverage: 53°FMin: 46°FJunMax: 63°FAverage: 57°FMin: 51°FJulMax: 66°FAverage: 60°FMin: 54°FAugMax: 65°FAverage: 59°FMin: 53°FSepMax: 61°FAverage: 56°FMin: 50°FOctMax: 55°FAverage: 51°FMin: 46°FNovMax: 48°FAverage: 44°FMin: 40°FDecMax: 45°FAverage: 42°FMin: 38°F
Max
Average
Min

Edinburgh sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 2°C to 19°C. July is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 19°C with a mean of 15°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 2°C and an average of 5°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 6°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 4°C shift in average temperatures.Edinburgh sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 36°F to 66°F. July is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 66°F with a mean of 60°F. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 36°F and an average of 40°F. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 10°F between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 6°F shift in average temperatures.

Precipitation

0mm25mm50mm75mm100mmJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanPrecipitation: 69mmSnow: 7mmFebPrecipitation: 74mmSnow: 10mmMarPrecipitation: 69mmSnow: 5mmAprPrecipitation: 49mmSnow: 4mmMayPrecipitation: 53mmSnow: 0mmJunPrecipitation: 65mmSnow: 0mmJulPrecipitation: 75mmSnow: 0mmAugPrecipitation: 75mmSnow: 0mmSepPrecipitation: 68mmSnow: 0mmOctPrecipitation: 92mmSnow: 0mmNovPrecipitation: 76mmSnow: 3mmDecPrecipitation: 82mmSnow: 5mm
Precipitation
Snow
0in1in2in3in4inJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanPrecipitation: 2.7inSnow (in): 3inFebPrecipitation: 2.9inSnow (in): 4inMarPrecipitation: 2.7inSnow (in): 2inAprPrecipitation: 1.9inSnow (in): 2inMayPrecipitation: 2.1inSnow (in): 0inJunPrecipitation: 2.6inSnow (in): 0inJulPrecipitation: 3inSnow (in): 0inAugPrecipitation: 2.9inSnow (in): 0inSepPrecipitation: 2.7inSnow (in): 0inOctPrecipitation: 3.6inSnow (in): 0inNovPrecipitation: 3inSnow (in): 1inDecPrecipitation: 3.2inSnow (in): 2in
Precipitation
Snow (in)

Edinburgh is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 845 mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 70 mm per month. The wettest month is October, averaging 92 mm of rainfall. December and November also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is April, with just 49 mm. That's 44 mm less than October, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around. Light snowfall can occur between January and December, totalling around 33cm annually. February is the snowiest month with approximately 10cm.Edinburgh is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 33.3 in of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 2.8 in per month. The wettest month is October, averaging 3.6 in of rainfall. December and November also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is April, with just 1.9 in. That's 1.7 in less than October, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around. Light snowfall can occur between January and December, totalling around 13in annually. February is the snowiest month with approximately 4in.

Wind

0km/h5km/h10km/h15km/h20km/hJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanWind Speed: 17km/hFebWind Speed: 19km/hMarWind Speed: 16km/hAprWind Speed: 14km/hMayWind Speed: 13km/hJunWind Speed: 14km/hJulWind Speed: 13km/hAugWind Speed: 14km/hSepWind Speed: 15km/hOctWind Speed: 17km/hNovWind Speed: 15km/hDecWind Speed: 17km/h
Wind Speed
0mph5mph10mph15mphJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanWind Speed: 11mphFebWind Speed: 12mphMarWind Speed: 10mphAprWind Speed: 9mphMayWind Speed: 8mphJunWind Speed: 9mphJulWind Speed: 8mphAugWind Speed: 9mphSepWind Speed: 9mphOctWind Speed: 10mphNovWind Speed: 9mphDecWind Speed: 10mph
Wind Speed

Edinburgh is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 15km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is February, averaging 19km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, with average winds dropping to 13km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 6km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 18km/h in winter, 14km/h in spring, 14km/h in summer, 16km/h in autumn.Edinburgh is moderately windy, with an average annual wind speed of 10mph. For context, sustained winds below 7mph are generally light, while anything above 16mph is considered strong. The windiest month is February, averaging 12mph, which can feel quite blustery and may affect outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, with average winds dropping to 8mph, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 4mph gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 11mph in winter, 9mph in spring, 9mph in summer, 10mph in autumn.

Best Time to Visit

Jan5°40°F
Feb5°42°F
Mar6°43°F
Apr8°46°F
May11°53°F
Jun14°57°F
Jul15°60°F
Aug15°59°F
Sep13°56°F
Oct10°51°F
Nov7°44°F
Dec5°42°F

The best time to visit Edinburgh is during July and August, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 15°C with modest rainfall averaging 75 mm per month. By contrast, January can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 2°C. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely. Pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.The best time to visit Edinburgh is during July and August, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 60°F with modest rainfall averaging 3 in per month. By contrast, January can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 36°F. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely. Pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.

Monthly Climate Data

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Edinburgh based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.The table below shows monthly climate averages for Edinburgh based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in inches (in) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in miles per hour (mph). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.

Month
Min Temperature
Max Temperature
Wind Speed
Precipitation
Snow
Jan
2 °C36 °F
7 °C44 °F
17 km/h11 mph
69 mm2.7 in
7 cm3 in
Feb
3 °C37 °F
8 °C46 °F
19 km/h12 mph
74 mm2.9 in
10 cm4 in
Mar
3 °C38 °F
9 °C49 °F
16 km/h10 mph
69 mm2.7 in
5 cm2 in
Apr
4 °C40 °F
11 °C52 °F
14 km/h9 mph
49 mm1.9 in
4 cm2 in
May
8 °C46 °F
15 °C59 °F
13 km/h8 mph
53 mm2.1 in
0 cm0 in
Jun
10 °C51 °F
17 °C63 °F
14 km/h9 mph
65 mm2.6 in
0 cm0 in
Jul
12 °C54 °F
19 °C66 °F
13 km/h8 mph
75 mm3 in
0 cm0 in
Aug
12 °C53 °F
18 °C65 °F
14 km/h9 mph
75 mm2.9 in
0 cm0 in
Sep
10 °C50 °F
16 °C61 °F
15 km/h9 mph
68 mm2.7 in
0 cm0 in
OctCurrent
8 °C46 °F
13 °C55 °F
17 km/h10 mph
92 mm3.6 in
0 cm0 in
Nov
4 °C40 °F
9 °C48 °F
15 km/h9 mph
76 mm3 in
3 cm1 in
Dec
3 °C38 °F
7 °C45 °F
17 km/h10 mph
82 mm3.2 in
5 cm2 in