Edinburgh, Scotland Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Edinburgh, Scotland?
Edinburgh, Scotland gets 728 mm of precipitation a year over about 197 rainy days. July is the warmest month (average high 19°C) and December the coldest (average low 1°C).
Oceanic climate
Edinburgh, Scotland has mild summers and chilly winters. Daytime highs range from about 7°C in January to 19°C in July. October 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 | 2° | 8° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 5° | 12° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 11° | 18° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 7° | 13° |
How much rain does Edinburgh get?
Edinburgh gets 728 mm of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 197 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 51% of the UK.
October is the wettest month, with 75 mm. April is the driest, with 41 mm. December has the most rainy days, about 19.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 23 days, to May 18, 2025.
From October 2025 to September 2026 Edinburgh got 606 mm of rain, against a normal of 728 mm for those months. November 2025 had the most, with 108 mm.
Edinburgh weather by month
Edinburgh weather in January
In January, Edinburgh averages a high of 7°C and a low of 2°C. It gets 65 mm of precipitation over about 19 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 30% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 15°C (1998) and the record low is -16°C (1982).
Edinburgh weather in February
In February, Edinburgh averages a high of 8°C and a low of 2°C. It gets 53 mm of precipitation over about 16 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 25% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 16°C (2019) and the record low is -11°C (1978).
Edinburgh weather in March
In March, Edinburgh averages a high of 10°C and a low of 3°C. It gets 49 mm of precipitation over about 16 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 28% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 22°C (2012) and the record low is -8°C (2001).
Edinburgh weather in April
In April, Edinburgh averages a high of 12°C and a low of 4°C. It gets 41 mm of precipitation over about 14 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 34% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 24°C (2025) and the record low is -5°C (1970).
Edinburgh weather in May
In May, Edinburgh averages a high of 15°C and a low of 7°C. It gets 48 mm of precipitation over about 15 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 27% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 29°C (1992) and the record low is -2°C (1981).
Edinburgh weather in June
In June, Edinburgh averages a high of 17°C and a low of 10°C. It gets 67 mm of precipitation over about 15 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 27% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 29°C (2026) and the record low is 1°C (1975). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Edinburgh weather in July
In July, Edinburgh averages a high of 19°C and a low of 12°C. It gets 72 mm of precipitation over about 17 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 24% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 31°C (2022) and the record low is 4°C (1992). July is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Edinburgh weather in August
In August, Edinburgh averages a high of 19°C and a low of 12°C. It gets 72 mm of precipitation over about 16 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 27% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 30°C (1975) and the record low is 3°C (1999). August is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Edinburgh weather in September
In September, Edinburgh averages a high of 17°C and a low of 9°C. It gets 55 mm of precipitation over about 15 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 26% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 27°C (1991) and the record low is -1°C (1970). September is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Edinburgh weather in October
In October, Edinburgh averages a high of 13°C and a low of 7°C. It gets 75 mm of precipitation over about 18 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 22% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 22°C (1973) and the record low is -4°C (1993).
Edinburgh weather in November
In November, Edinburgh averages a high of 10°C and a low of 3°C. It gets 65 mm of precipitation over about 19 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 27% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 18°C (2022) and the record low is -7°C (1985).
Edinburgh weather in December
In December, Edinburgh averages a high of 8°C and a low of 1°C. It gets 67 mm of precipitation over about 19 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 22% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 16°C (2025) and the record low is -12°C (1995).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Edinburgh
April is the sunniest month in Edinburgh, with estimated sunshine of 34% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. October is the cloudiest, at 22%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 27% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Edinburgh is cloudier than 71% of the UK.
Humidity peaks in December at 86% and is lowest in April at 74%.
First and last freeze in Edinburgh
The first fall freeze in Edinburgh typically comes around November 2, and the last spring freeze around April 18. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 198 days.
Edinburgh weather records
These records cover EDINBURGH: ROYAL BOTANIC GARDE during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Edinburgh station is 31°C, on July 18, 2022. The coldest is -16°C, on January 11, 1982.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 82 mm of precipitation, on July 26, 1985.
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 Edinburgh
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 1°C.
Spring (March–May) is chilly, with average highs around 12°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 13°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° | 7° | 65 mm | 19 | 84% | 30% | 15° | -16° |
| February | 2° | 8° | 53 mm | 16 | 81% | 25% | 16° | -11° |
| March | 3° | 10° | 49 mm | 16 | 79% | 28% | 22° | -8° |
| April | 4° | 12° | 41 mm | 14 | 74% | 34% | 24° | -5° |
| May | 7° | 15° | 48 mm | 15 | 76% | 27% | 29° | -2° |
| June | 10° | 17° | 67 mm | 15 | 75% | 27% | 29° | 1° |
| July | 12° | 19° | 72 mm | 17 | 78% | 24% | 31° | 4° |
| August | 12° | 19° | 72 mm | 16 | 79% | 27% | 30° | 3° |
| September | 9° | 17° | 55 mm | 15 | 81% | 26% | 27° | -1° |
| October | 7° | 13° | 75 mm | 18 | 84% | 22% | 22° | -4° |
| November | 3° | 10° | 65 mm | 19 | 85% | 27% | 18° | -7° |
| December | 1° | 8° | 67 mm | 19 | 86% | 22% | 16° | -12° |
Station: EDINBURGH: ROYAL BOTANIC GARDE, 2 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.
Edinburgh climate questions
How much rain does Edinburgh get?
Edinburgh gets 728 mm of precipitation in an average year, over about 197 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Edinburgh?
October is the wettest month in Edinburgh, with 75 mm. April is the driest, with 41 mm.
How many rainy days does Edinburgh have a year?
Edinburgh has about 197 days with measurable rain in an average year. December has the most, about 19.
What is the hottest month in Edinburgh?
July is the warmest month in Edinburgh, with an average high of 19°C.
What is the coldest month in Edinburgh?
December is the coldest month in Edinburgh, with an average low of 1°C.
What is the record high temperature in Edinburgh?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Edinburgh station is 31°C, set on July 18, 2022. The record low is -16°C, on January 11, 1982.
What is the sunniest month in Edinburgh?
April is the sunniest month in Edinburgh, with estimated sunshine of 34% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. October is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Edinburgh?
The first fall freeze in Edinburgh typically comes around November 2. The last spring freeze is around April 18.
What is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically June to September, when daytime highs sit near 18°C.