Lerwick Weather & Climate: Best Time to Visit

The climate in Lerwick remains fairly constant, offering chilly temperatures throughout the year. Average maximum daytime temperatures range from a moderate 15°C (59°F) in August, the warmest time of the year, to a chilly 8°C (46°F) during cooler months like February.

At night, you can expect temperatures ranging from 12°C (54°F) in August to around 5°C (41°F) during February.

Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.

Temperature ranges by month

Lerwick is known for its substantial rainfall, with annual precipitation reaching 1126 mm (44 in). Significant seasonal changes in precipitation occur throughout the year. In the wettest month, November it receives high rainfall, averaging 132 mm (5.2 in) of precipitation, recorded across 25 rainy days. In contrast, the driest month May brings less rainfall, with 51 mm (2 in) over 17 rainy days. For more details, please visit our Lerwick Precipitation page.

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

The average number of days each month with precipitation

Seasonal changes in sunshine hours are quite dramatic in Lerwick. 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