Kirkwall Temperatures: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights
On this page, we’ll explore Kirkwall’s temperature statistics in detail, including day and night variations and monthly averages. We’ll also compare the annual temperature to other cities in the United Kingdom.
Monthly Temperature Averages
Kirkwall enjoys a stable climate with temperatures staying pretty much the same throughout the year. Typically, maximum daytime temperatures range from a moderate 15°C in August to a chilly 8°C in the coolest month, February. Nights are cooler, with temperatures generally dropping to 5°C, particularly during the colder months.
The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Kirkwall by month:
The minimum temperature is commonly observed between 4 AM and 6 AM, with the maximum occurring around 3 PM, when the sun’s strength is at its peak. August, the city’s warmest month, sees 127 hours of sunshine.
The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:
February, the city’s coldest month, sees about 109 mm of rainfall spread over roughly 19 days. It records 61 hours of sunshine of sunshine.
Annual Temperatures in the United Kingdom Compared
The map below shows the annual temperature across the United Kingdom. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
very warm
warm
pleasant
moderate
cold
very cold
Kirkwall Temperatures Compared World Wide
Kirkwall’s average annual maximum temperature is 11°C. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:
In Lisbon, Portugal, the average annual temperature is 21°C, offering warm summers and mild, rainy winters.
Glasgow, Scotland, the average annual temperature is significantly lower at 13°C, with mild summers and cold winters.
In Seoul, South Korea, the average annual temperature is 18°C, featuring distinct seasons.
In Tokyo, Japan, the average annual temperature is 21°C, expect warmer summers and milder winters.
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 Kirkwall’s weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity levels, visit our Kirkwall climate page.
Current temperature in Kirkwall
6 m/s
overcast and no rain
9 m/s
overcast and rain
7 m/s
overcast and slight rain
