Manchester Weather and Climate: A Comprehensive Guide
The best time to visit Manchester is from May to September. During summer it is rarely hot and winter is sporadically really cold. The wind from the south-west regularly brings rain to Manchester.
Average maximum day and minimum night temperature
The climate in Manchester is known for significant temperature differences throughout the year, making the weather dynamic. Typically, average maximum daytime temperatures range from a pleasant 21°C in July to a chilly 8°C in the coolest month, January.
Nights are cooler, with lows often dropping to around 2°C during the colder months.Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.
Temperature ranges by month
Precipitation and rainy days
Manchester has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 1046 mm of rain/snowfall per year. Precipitation levels in Manchester remain relatively steady throughout the year. December has the most rain, with 97 mm over 19 days. In April, this drops slightly to 76 mm, making the city's climate fairly predictable.
The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail and snow
The average number of days each month with precipitation
Sunshine over the year
For those who appreciate different seasons, Manchester serves as an ideal destination. Expect longer, more sun-filled days in May with an average of 6.2 hours of sunshine daily, and embrace the darker days in December, offering only 1.5 hours of daily sunlight.
Visit our detailed sunshine hours page for more information.
Monthly hours of sunshine
Daily hours of sunshine
Average humidity
The city experiences its highest humidity in August, reaching 89%. In April, the humidity drops to its lowest level at 84%. What does this mean? Read our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.
Relative humidity over the year
Average wind speed
The mean wind speed over the year ranges from 3 m/s in July and August to 5 m/s in March.
The mean monthly wind speed over the year (meters per second)
Forecast for Manchester
Select a Month of Interest
Check the conditions for any month of the year.
The best time of year to visit Manchester in the United Kingdom
During the months of July and August you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20°C and 26°C.Other facts from our historical weather data:
July has an average maximum temperature of 21°C and is the warmest month of the year.
The coldest month is January with an average maximum temperature of 8°C.
December tops the wettest month list with 97 mm of rainfall.
April is the driest month with 76 mm of precipitation.
May is the sunniest month with an average of 186 hours of sunshine.
No idea where to travel to this year? We have a tool that recommends destinations based on your ideal conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.
