Climate Insights for Orkney

The climate in Orkney is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 18°C and approximately 556mm of precipitation falls per year. December is the wettest month, receiving around 100mm of rainfall. Orkney is in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are reversed — summer runs from December to February, while winter falls between June and August. The summer months are: December, November, January. The coldest months are July, June, August, when temperatures can drop to 3°C.

Temperatures in Orkney vary considerably across the year, with a 27°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is December, when average highs reach 30°C and the mean temperature sits around 23°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 3°C and an average of 11°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 15°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between August and September, with a 4°C shift in average temperatures.

Orkney is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 556mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 46mm per month. The wettest month is December, averaging 100mm of rainfall. January and February also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 3mm. That's 97mm less than December, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Orkney is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 17km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is November, averaging 21km/h, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, with average winds dropping to 14km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 7km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently winter in Orkney, which began on June 21, 2026. Orkney is in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed — spring starts in September, summer in December, autumn in March, and winter in June. The warmest period peaks in December at around 30°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 3°C. Autumn is next, beginning on March 20, 2026 — 3 days from now.

The best time to visit Orkney is during January, February, March, April, September, October and November, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 21°C with modest rainfall averaging 60mm per month. By contrast, December can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 30°C, while July is the coldest period with lows dropping to 3°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Orkney 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. 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.