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Chelmsford, England Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Chelmsford, England?
Chelmsford, England gets 590 mm of precipitation a year over about 164 rainy days. July is the warmest month (average high 23°C) and January the coldest (average low 2°C).
Oceanic climate
Chelmsford, England has warm summers and chilly winters. Daytime highs range from about 8°C in January to 23°C in July. October is usually the wettest month. The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to September, when daytime highs sit near 21°C.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | 2° | 8° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 4° | 14° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 12° | 22° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 7° | 15° |
How much rain does Chelmsford get?
Chelmsford gets 590 mm of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 164 days with measurable rain. That is fewer rainy days than 82% of the UK.
October is the wettest month, with 61 mm. March is the driest, with 35 mm. January has the most rainy days, about 17.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 29 days, to July 25, 2026.
From October 2025 to September 2026 Chelmsford got 463 mm of rain, against a normal of 590 mm for those months. January 2026 had the most, with 98 mm.
Chelmsford weather by month
Chelmsford weather in January
In January, Chelmsford averages a high of 8°C and a low of 2°C. It gets 55 mm of precipitation over about 17 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 32% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 16°C (2015) and the record low is -15°C (1987).
Chelmsford weather in February
In February, Chelmsford averages a high of 8°C and a low of 2°C. It gets 44 mm of precipitation over about 15 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 28% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 18°C (2004) and the record low is -14°C (2012).
Chelmsford weather in March
In March, Chelmsford averages a high of 12°C and a low of 3°C. It gets 35 mm of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 32% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 22°C (1990) and the record low is -11°C (1970).
Chelmsford weather in April
In April, Chelmsford averages a high of 14°C and a low of 4°C. It gets 39 mm of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 39% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 27°C (2018) and the record low is -6°C (1996).
Chelmsford weather in May
In May, Chelmsford averages a high of 18°C and a low of 7°C. It gets 44 mm of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 36% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 33°C (2026) and the record low is -2°C (2021). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Chelmsford weather in June
In June, Chelmsford averages a high of 21°C and a low of 10°C. It gets 50 mm of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 40% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 37°C (2026) and the record low is 1°C (1989). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Chelmsford weather in July
In July, Chelmsford averages a high of 23°C and a low of 12°C. It gets 45 mm of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 35% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 39°C (2022) and the record low is 3°C (1978). July is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Chelmsford weather in August
In August, Chelmsford averages a high of 23°C and a low of 12°C. It gets 52 mm of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 38% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 36°C (2003) and the record low is 2°C (1979). August is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Chelmsford weather in September
In September, Chelmsford averages a high of 19°C and a low of 10°C. It gets 48 mm of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 34% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 32°C (2023) and the record low is -1°C (2003). September is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Chelmsford weather in October
In October, Chelmsford averages a high of 15°C and a low of 7°C. It gets 61 mm of precipitation over about 15 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 27% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 28°C (2011) and the record low is -7°C (1997).
Chelmsford weather in November
In November, Chelmsford averages a high of 11°C and a low of 4°C. It gets 61 mm of precipitation over about 17 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 28% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 18°C (2010) and the record low is -8°C (1983).
Chelmsford weather in December
In December, Chelmsford averages a high of 8°C and a low of 2°C. It gets 56 mm of precipitation over about 17 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 22% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 17°C (1985) and the record low is -18°C (1981).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Chelmsford
June is the sunniest month in Chelmsford, with estimated sunshine of 40% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest, at 22%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 33% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Chelmsford is sunnier than 78% of the UK.
Humidity peaks in December at 89% and is lowest in July at 71%.
Chelmsford has about 3 days a year above 32°C.
First and last freeze in Chelmsford
The first fall freeze in Chelmsford typically comes around October 21, and the last spring freeze around May 3. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 171 days.
Chelmsford weather records
These records cover WRITTLE during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Chelmsford station is 39°C, on July 18, 2022. The coldest is -18°C, on December 13, 1981.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 68 mm of precipitation, on August 22, 1987.
41 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 Chelmsford
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to September, when daytime highs sit near 21°C.
Winter (December–February) is chilly, with average highs around 8°C and lows near 2°C.
Spring (March–May) is mild, with average highs around 15°C and lows near 5°C.
Summer (June–August) is warm, with average highs around 22°C and lows near 11°C. It can feel humid.
Autumn (September–November) is mild, with average highs around 15°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° | 55 mm | 17 | 86% | 32% | 16° | -15° |
| February | 2° | 8° | 44 mm | 15 | 82% | 28% | 18° | -14° |
| March | 3° | 12° | 35 mm | 13 | 79% | 32% | 22° | -11° |
| April | 4° | 14° | 39 mm | 13 | 72% | 39% | 27° | -6° |
| May | 7° | 18° | 44 mm | 11 | 74% | 36% | 33° | -2° |
| June | 10° | 21° | 50 mm | 11 | 72% | 40% | 37° | 1° |
| July | 12° | 23° | 45 mm | 12 | 71% | 35% | 39° | 3° |
| August | 12° | 23° | 52 mm | 11 | 72% | 38% | 36° | 2° |
| September | 10° | 19° | 48 mm | 12 | 78% | 34% | 32° | -1° |
| October | 7° | 15° | 61 mm | 15 | 85% | 27% | 28° | -7° |
| November | 4° | 11° | 61 mm | 17 | 87% | 28% | 18° | -8° |
| December | 2° | 8° | 56 mm | 17 | 89% | 22% | 17° | -18° |
Station: WRITTLE, 3 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.
Chelmsford climate questions
How much rain does Chelmsford get?
Chelmsford gets 590 mm of precipitation in an average year, over about 164 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Chelmsford?
October is the wettest month in Chelmsford, with 61 mm. March is the driest, with 35 mm.
How many rainy days does Chelmsford have a year?
Chelmsford has about 164 days with measurable rain in an average year. January has the most, about 17.
What is the hottest month in Chelmsford?
July is the warmest month in Chelmsford, with an average high of 23°C.
What is the coldest month in Chelmsford?
January is the coldest month in Chelmsford, with an average low of 2°C.
What is the record high temperature in Chelmsford?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Chelmsford station is 39°C, set on July 18, 2022. The record low is -18°C, on December 13, 1981.
What is the sunniest month in Chelmsford?
June is the sunniest month in Chelmsford, with estimated sunshine of 40% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Chelmsford?
The first fall freeze in Chelmsford typically comes around October 21. The last spring freeze is around May 3.
What is the best time to visit Chelmsford?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to September, when daytime highs sit near 21°C.