Belfast, Northern Ireland Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Belfast, Northern Ireland?
Belfast, Northern Ireland gets 978 mm of precipitation a year over about 215 rainy days. July is the warmest month (average high 19°C) and January the coldest (average low 2°C).
Oceanic climate
Belfast, Northern Ireland has mild summers and chilly winters. Daytime highs range from about 8°C in January to 19°C in July. November is usually the wettest month. The most comfortable time to visit is typically June to September, when daytime highs sit near 18°C.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | 3° | 8° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 5° | 13° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 11° | 18° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 7° | 14° |
How much rain does Belfast get?
Belfast gets 978 mm of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 215 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 66% of the UK.
November is the wettest month, with 106 mm. April is the driest, with 64 mm. November has the most rainy days, about 22.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 20 days, to June 9, 2023.
From October 2025 to September 2026 Belfast got 992 mm of rain, against a normal of 978 mm for those months. January 2026 had the most, with 188 mm.
Belfast weather by month
Belfast weather in January
In January, Belfast averages a high of 8°C and a low of 2°C. It gets 89 mm of precipitation over about 21 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 28% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 14°C (2020) and the record low is -10°C (1982).
Belfast weather in February
In February, Belfast averages a high of 9°C and a low of 2°C. It gets 73 mm of precipitation over about 18 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 22% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 16°C (2008) and the record low is -4°C (1983).
Belfast weather in March
In March, Belfast averages a high of 11°C and a low of 3°C. It gets 73 mm of precipitation over about 18 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 29% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 20°C (2012) and the record low is -6°C (2001).
Belfast weather in April
In April, Belfast averages a high of 13°C and a low of 5°C. It gets 64 mm of precipitation over about 16 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 34% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 22°C (2025) and the record low is -6°C (1973).
Belfast weather in May
In May, Belfast averages a high of 16°C and a low of 7°C. It gets 68 mm of precipitation over about 16 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 27% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 25°C (2010) and the record low is -2°C (1979).
Belfast weather in June
In June, Belfast averages a high of 18°C and a low of 10°C. It gets 74 mm of precipitation over about 15 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 25% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 29°C (2018) and the record low is 2°C (1975). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Belfast weather in July
In July, Belfast averages a high of 19°C and a low of 12°C. It gets 77 mm of precipitation over about 16 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 20% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 29°C (1983) and the record low is 6°C (1971). July is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Belfast weather in August
In August, Belfast averages a high of 19°C and a low of 12°C. It gets 86 mm of precipitation over about 18 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 28% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 28°C (2022) and the record low is 5°C (1986). August is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Belfast weather in September
In September, Belfast averages a high of 17°C and a low of 10°C. It gets 75 mm of precipitation over about 16 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 28% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 26°C (2023) and the record low is 1°C (1974). September is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Belfast weather in October
In October, Belfast averages a high of 14°C and a low of 7°C. It gets 98 mm of precipitation over about 19 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 23% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 21°C (2023) and the record low is -1°C (1988).
Belfast weather in November
In November, Belfast averages a high of 11°C and a low of 4°C. It gets 106 mm of precipitation over about 22 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 22% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 17°C (2007) and the record low is -3°C (2010).
Belfast weather in December
In December, Belfast averages a high of 8°C and a low of 3°C. It gets 95 mm of precipitation over about 20 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 22% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 15°C (2007) and the record low is -9°C (2010).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Belfast
April is the sunniest month in Belfast, with estimated sunshine of 34% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. July is the cloudiest, at 20%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 26% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Belfast is cloudier than 79% of the UK.
Humidity peaks in December at 87% and is lowest in April at 77%.
First and last freeze in Belfast
The first fall freeze in Belfast typically comes around November 20, and the last spring freeze around March 29. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 236 days.
Belfast weather records
These records cover STORMONT CASTLE during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Belfast station is 29°C, on July 11, 1983. The coldest is -10°C, on January 12, 1982.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 92 mm of precipitation, on August 15, 1970.
30 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The annual mean temperature has changed by +0.3°C per decade since 1970.
The best time to visit Belfast
The most comfortable time to visit is typically June to September, when daytime highs sit near 18°C.
Winter (December–February) is chilly, with average highs around 8°C and lows near 3°C.
Spring (March–May) is chilly, with average highs around 13°C and lows near 5°C.
Summer (June–August) is mild, with average highs around 19°C and lows near 11°C. It can feel humid.
Autumn (September–November) is mild, with average highs around 14°C and lows near 7°C.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2° | 8° | 89 mm | 21 | 85% | 28% | 14° | -10° |
| February | 2° | 9° | 73 mm | 18 | 82% | 22% | 16° | -4° |
| March | 3° | 11° | 73 mm | 18 | 81% | 29% | 20° | -6° |
| April | 5° | 13° | 64 mm | 16 | 77% | 34% | 22° | -6° |
| May | 7° | 16° | 68 mm | 16 | 78% | 27% | 25° | -2° |
| June | 10° | 18° | 74 mm | 15 | 78% | 25% | 29° | 2° |
| July | 12° | 19° | 77 mm | 16 | 80% | 20% | 29° | 6° |
| August | 12° | 19° | 86 mm | 18 | 81% | 28% | 28° | 5° |
| September | 10° | 17° | 75 mm | 16 | 83% | 28% | 26° | 1° |
| October | 7° | 14° | 98 mm | 19 | 84% | 23% | 21° | -1° |
| November | 4° | 11° | 106 mm | 22 | 86% | 22% | 17° | -3° |
| December | 3° | 8° | 95 mm | 20 | 87% | 22% | 15° | -9° |
Station: STORMONT CASTLE, 6 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1970–2026; record values refer to this station and period, not the entire city’s history. Precipitation includes rain and the water equivalent of frozen precipitation; snowfall depth is shown separately when available. Sources and methods
From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.
Belfast climate questions
How much rain does Belfast get?
Belfast gets 978 mm of precipitation in an average year, over about 215 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Belfast?
November is the wettest month in Belfast, with 106 mm. April is the driest, with 64 mm.
How many rainy days does Belfast have a year?
Belfast has about 215 days with measurable rain in an average year. November has the most, about 22.
What is the hottest month in Belfast?
July is the warmest month in Belfast, with an average high of 19°C.
What is the coldest month in Belfast?
January is the coldest month in Belfast, with an average low of 2°C.
What is the record high temperature in Belfast?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Belfast station is 29°C, set on July 11, 1983. The record low is -10°C, on January 12, 1982.
What is the sunniest month in Belfast?
April is the sunniest month in Belfast, with estimated sunshine of 34% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. July is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Belfast?
The first fall freeze in Belfast typically comes around November 20. The last spring freeze is around March 29.
What is the best time to visit Belfast?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically June to September, when daytime highs sit near 18°C.