Orkney Weather & Climate: Best Time to Visit

The climate in Orkney 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

Orkney is known for its substantial rainfall, with annual precipitation reaching 1198 mm (47 in). Significant seasonal changes in precipitation occur throughout the year. In the wettest month, November it receives high rainfall, averaging 140 mm (5.5 in) of precipitation, recorded across 24 rainy days. In contrast, the driest month May brings less rainfall, with 60 mm (2.4 in) over 16 rainy days. For more details, please visit our Orkney 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 Orkney. While May receives considerable daily sunshine with up to 6.4 hours, December marks the darkest time of the year, where sunshine is scarce with only 0.9 hours of sunlight per day.

Visit our detailed sunshine hours page for more information.

Monthly hours of sunshine

Daily hours of sunshine