Climate Overview
The climate in Fort William is cool. The average annual temperature is 8°C and approximately 1954mm of precipitation falls per year. Fort William receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Fort William 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, March, when temperatures can drop to 0°C. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 146cm accumulating over the season.
Temperature
Fort William sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 0°C to 16°C. July is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 16°C with a mean of 13°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 0°C and an average of 2°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 6°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 3°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Fort William is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1954mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 163mm per month. The wettest month is December, averaging 226mm of rainfall. February and January also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is April, with just 89mm. That's 137mm less than December, the wettest month. Precipitation varies noticeably between seasons, with the second half (July to December) of the year generally seeing more rainfall. Snowfall is a regular feature from January to December, with around 146cm accumulating over the season. February typically sees the most snow at around 46cm.
Wind
Fort William is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 16km/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 July, with average winds dropping to 15km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 4km/h 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, 16km/h in spring, 15km/h in summer, 16km/h in autumn.
Seasons
88 days until Summer
It is currently spring in Fort William, which began on March 20, 2026. Fort William is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in July at around 16°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 0°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 88 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from 1 to 13°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 364mm across the season with a monthly average of 121mm. Winds are moderate at around 16km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 8 to 16°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 438mm across the season with a monthly average of 146mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 15km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 3 to 14°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 508mm across the season with a monthly average of 169mm. Expect around 8cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are moderate at around 16km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from 0 to 6°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 644mm across the season with a monthly average of 215mm. Expect around 106cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are moderate at around 18km/h. Warm winter clothing and waterproof boots are a must, and travel may be affected by snow.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Fort William 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.
