Kirkwall weather in May (Orkney Islands, United Kingdom)

Planning a trip to Kirkwall in May? Check out this comprehensive weather guide.

In May, Kirkwall generally has low temperatures and moderate rainfall. Throughout the daytime, temperatures often hover around 10°C. However, as the sun sets and evening approaches, there's a noticeable cool-down, with temperatures gently dropping to a more temperate 8°C.

Kirkwall in May usually receives moderate rainfall, averaging around 57 mm for the month. It's the month with the least rainfall. Whether you're keen on hiking, outdoor festivals, or just enjoying a walk in the park, this month provides a reliably dry backdrop for all your plans. Rain is expected on roughly 16 days.

With around 192 hours of sunshine, the days are mostly sunny. It gives a pleasant and vibrant feel to the area.

If you're looking for dry conditions and comfortable temperatures, May may not be the ideal month to visit Kirkwall. July and August typically offer the most agreeable circumstances. On the other hand, January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December tend to be characterized by conditions that may not be as optimal.

For an in-depth look at the yearly conditions, visit our specialized Kirkwall climate page with graphs.

 

Kirkwall, monthly averages in May

Min Temperature 8°C  

Max Temperature 10°C  

Chance of Rain 54%  

Precipitation 57 mm  

Rainy days 16 days  

Sunshine 192 hours  

Percentage Sunshine  

Where to go in the United Kingdom in May

Find out more about the weather in the United Kingdom in May and which places have the best weather conditions in this month.

Weather conditions Weather

Temperatures

Precipitation

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Legend perfect weather pleasant tolerable unpleasant poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C and 29°C and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm a month).

So, what should you wear in Kirkwall in May?

Plan on layering your clothes. Some days or part of the day it will be nice and warm and some moments it can be a bit chilly. Bring a rain jacket in case it rains during your stay.

What To Do

We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do in May.

Swimming

5/10

Cycling

6/10

Walking

6/10

Camping

4/10

Outdoor sports

6/10

Interested in more climate information?

Weather and Climate provides you with all the information you need about the climate in Kirkwall.

Our site offers climate and forecast data for every country in the world. Are you going to the United Kingdom? On this website you can find historical weather averages for many cities in the United Kingdom. Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.