Orkney Climate by Month
Orkney has a steady cold climate throughout the year.
It also has a notably wet climate with much precipitation.
Let's now guide you through the climate details for a complete overview.
Average day and night temperature
The climate in Orkney remains fairly constant, offering chilly temperatures throughout the year. Average 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 average around 5°C during these months.
The mean minimum and maximum temperatures throughout the year
Precipitation and rainy days
Orkney is known for its substantial rainfall, with annual precipitation reaching 1198 mm. Significant seasonal changes in precipitation occur throughout the year. During the wetter season, November receives high rainfall, averaging 140 mm of precipitation, recorded across 24 rainy days. In contrast, the drier season, May brings less rainfall, with 60 mm over 16 rainy days.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 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.Monthly hours of sunshine
Data from: Kirkwall, the United Kingdom (16 KM, 10 Miles).
Daily hours of sunshine
Data from: Kirkwall, the United Kingdom (16 KM, 10 Miles).
The best time of year to visit Orkney in the United Kingdom
Other facts from our historical weather data:August has an average maximum temperature of 15°C and is the warmest month of the year.
The coldest month is February with an average maximum temperature of 8°C.
November tops the wettest month list with 140 mm of rainfall.
May is the driest month with 60 mm of precipitation.
May is the sunniest month with an average of 192 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.
