Kirkwall Weather & Climate: Best Time to Visit

The climate in Kirkwall remains fairly constant, offering chilly temperatures throughout the year. On average, daytime temperatures range from a moderate 15°C (59°F) in August to a chilly 8°C (46°F) in February.

Nighttime temperatures range from 12°C (54°F) in August to 5°C (41°F) in February.

Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.

Temperature ranges by month

Kirkwall is known for its substantial rainfall, with annual precipitation reaching 1137 mm (45 in). The seasons in Kirkwall bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, November, receives high rainfall, with an average of 135 mm (5.3 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 24 rainy days.

In contrast, the driest month, May, experiences much less rainfall, totaling 57 mm (2.2 in) over 16 rainy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year. For more details, please visit our Kirkwall Precipitation page.

The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail, and snow

The average number of days each month with precipitation

In Kirkwall, summer days are longer and more sunny, with daily sunshine hours peaking at 6.4 hours in May. As the darker season arrives, the brightness of the sun becomes less. December sees a soft sun for only 0.9 hours per average day.

Visit our detailed sunshine hours page for more information.

Monthly hours of sunshine

Daily hours of sunshine