Edinburgh Temperatures: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights
On this page, we’ll explore Edinburgh’s temperature statistics in detail, including day and night variations and monthly averages. We’ll also compare the annual temperature to other cities in Scotland.
Monthly Temperature Averages
Depending on the time of the year, temperatures range from pleasant to cold in Edinburgh. Typically, maximum daytime temperatures range from a pleasant 19°C in July to a cold 8°C in the coolest month, December. Nights are cooler, with temperatures generally dropping to 2°C, particularly during the colder months.
The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Edinburgh by month:
The minimum temperature is often recorded between 4 AM and 6 AM, while the highest temperature is usually reached at 3 PM. During this time the sun's heating effect is the strongest.
The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:
July, the city’s warmest month, also receives about 83 mm of rainfall spread over roughly 14 days. For more information, please visit our Edinburgh Precipitation page.
Annual Temperatures in Scotland Compared
The map below shows the annual temperature across Scotland. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
very warm
warm
pleasant
moderate
cold
very cold
Edinburgh Temperatures Compared World Wide
Edinburgh’s average annual maximum temperature is 13°C. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:
Seville, Spain, stands out with its warm Mediterranean climate and an average annual temperature of 23°C.
Interlaken, Switzerland, the average annual temperature is significantly lower at 8°C, with mild summers and very cold winters.
The climate in San Francisco, USA, is mild, with an average annual temperature of 19°C and minimal seasonal variation.
In Brisbane, Australia, the average annual temperature is 26°C, making it warmer than Sydney.
How are these Temperatures Measured?
Generally, temperature data depicting climate is usually given over a 30-year average in order to reduce short-term fluctuations and reveal better long-term trends in climate conditions.
This temperature data is taken from land-based thermometers, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. These measurements are transmitted to weather stations and climate centers around the globe where they are processed, averaged, and analyzed in order to monitor the trends and create climate models.
Temperatures in the Mountains
Although not all regions have mountains, elevated areas exhibit distinct temperature variations.
- Sun Exposure: Sunlit slopes tend to be warmer, while shaded areas remain cooler.
- Altitude Effects: Temperatures drop by approximately 6°C for every 1,000 meters of elevation, creating distinct microclimates.
For more detailed information about Edinburgh’s weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity levels, visit our Edinburgh climate page.
Current temperature in Edinburgh
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