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Shetland
Weather averages
Climate ▸Forecast ▸January ▸February ▸
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Shetland Weather and Climate: A Comprehensive Guide

Shetland has a steady cold climate throughout the year. It also has a notably wet climate with much precipitation. Now, let’s break down all the climate details for a clearer picture.

Average maximum day and minimum night temperature

The temperature in Shetland remains steady throughout the year, providing a consistently moderate climate. Average maximum daytime temperatures range from a moderate 15°C in August, the warmest time of the year, to a chilly 8°C during cooler months like February.

At night, temperatures typically drop to an average of around 5°C during these months. Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.

Temperature ranges by month

Precipitation and rainy days

Shetland has a relatively rainy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 1165 mm of rainfall annually. Significant seasonal changes in precipitation occur throughout the year. During the wetter season, January receives high rainfall, averaging 136 mm of precipitation, recorded across 26 rainy days. In contrast, the drier season, May brings less rainfall, with 52 mm over 17 rainy days. For more details, please visit our Shetland Precipitation page.

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

Seasonal changes in sunshine hours are quite dramatic in Shetland. While May receives considerable daily sunshine with up to 6.1 hours, December marks the darkest time of the year, where sunshine is scarce with only 0.6 hours of sunlight per day. Visit our detailed sunshine hours page for more information.

Monthly hours of sunshine

Daily hours of sunshine

Forecast for Shetland

Wed   Jan 15
10°C | 9°C
SW 13 m/s
2.7 mm
overcast and rain

overcast and rain

hourly forecast
Thu   Jan 16
10°C | 7°C
SW 10 m/s
1.2 mm
overcast and chance of rain

overcast and chance of rain

hourly forecast
Fri   Jan 17
10°C | 7°C
SW 14 m/s
3.6 mm
broken clouds and rain

broken clouds and rain

hourly forecast
5-Day Forecast 10-Day Forecast

Select a Month of Interest

Check the conditions for any month of the year.

The best time of year to visit Shetland in Scotland

Other facts from our historical weather data:
  • Which is the warmest month in Shetland?
    August has an average maximum temperature of 15°C and is the warmest month of the year.
  • Which is the coldest month in Shetland?
    The coldest month is February with an average maximum temperature of 8°C.
  • Which is the wettest month in Shetland?
    January tops the wettest month list with 136 mm of rainfall.
  • Which is the driest month in Shetland?
    May is the driest month with 52 mm of precipitation.
  • Which is the sunniest month in Shetland?
    May is the sunniest month with an average of 182 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.

     

     


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