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Orkney, North West Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Orkney, North West?
Orkney, North West gets 502 mm of precipitation a year over about 77 rainy days. December is the warmest month (average high 32°C) and July the coldest (average low 1°C).
Semi-arid climate
Orkney, North West has hot summers and warm winters. Daytime highs range from about 22°C in July to 31°C in December. December is usually the wettest month. The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to August, when daytime highs sit near 23°C.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Jun–Aug | 2° | 23° |
| Spring | Sep–Nov | 12° | 30° |
| Summer | Dec–Feb | 16° | 31° |
| Autumn | Mar–May | 9° | 27° |
How much rain does Orkney get?
Orkney gets 502 mm of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 77 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 68% of South Africa.
December is the wettest month, with 93 mm. July is the driest, with 4 mm. December has the most rainy days, about 12.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 9 days, to August 28, 2026.
From October 2025 to September 2026 Orkney got 67 mm of rain, against a normal of 502 mm for those months. September 2026 had the most, with 52 mm.
Orkney weather by month
Orkney weather in January
In January, Orkney averages a high of 31°C and a low of 16°C. It gets 76 mm of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 53% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 41°C (2016) and the record low is 7°C (2008).
Orkney weather in February
In February, Orkney averages a high of 31°C and a low of 16°C. It gets 74 mm of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 54% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 38°C (2013) and the record low is 8°C (2015).
Orkney weather in March
In March, Orkney averages a high of 30°C and a low of 14°C. It gets 63 mm of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 63% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 39°C (2024) and the record low is 3°C (2002).
Orkney weather in April
In April, Orkney averages a high of 27°C and a low of 10°C. It gets 38 mm of precipitation over about 7 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 71% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 36°C (2021) and the record low is -2°C (2007).
Orkney weather in May
In May, Orkney averages a high of 24°C and a low of 4°C. It gets 14 mm of precipitation over about 3 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 83% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 32°C (2012) and the record low is -7°C (2007). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Orkney weather in June
In June, Orkney averages a high of 22°C and a low of 1°C. It gets 8 mm of precipitation over about 2 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 89% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 28°C (2013) and the record low is -9°C (2010). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Orkney weather in July
In July, Orkney averages a high of 22°C and a low of 1°C. It gets 4 mm of precipitation over about 1 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 90% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 29°C (2002) and the record low is -9°C (2014). July is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Orkney weather in August
In August, Orkney averages a high of 25°C and a low of 3°C. It gets 14 mm of precipitation over about 2 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 87% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 34°C (2012) and the record low is -8°C (2003). August is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Orkney weather in September
In September, Orkney averages a high of 29°C and a low of 8°C. It gets 13 mm of precipitation over about 3 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 82% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 36°C (2023) and the record low is -6°C (2013).
Orkney weather in October
In October, Orkney averages a high of 31°C and a low of 12°C. It gets 45 mm of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 68% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 41°C (2003) and the record low is -1°C (2024).
Orkney weather in November
In November, Orkney averages a high of 31°C and a low of 14°C. It gets 60 mm of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 59% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 42°C (2021) and the record low is 0°C (2017).
Orkney weather in December
In December, Orkney averages a high of 32°C and a low of 16°C. It gets 93 mm of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 52% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 40°C (2015) and the record low is 8°C (1998).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Orkney
July is the sunniest month in Orkney, with estimated sunshine of 90% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest, at 52%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 71% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Orkney is sunnier than 75% of South Africa.
Humidity peaks in February at 60% and is lowest in September at 31%.
Orkney has about 52 days a year above 32°C. Orkney is hotter than 71% of South Africa.
First and last freeze in Orkney
The first fall freeze in Orkney typically comes around May 28, and the last spring freeze around August 26. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 275 days.
Orkney weather records
These records cover POTCHEFSTROOM during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Orkney station is 42°C, on November 15, 2021. The coldest is -9°C, on June 17, 2010.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 103 mm of precipitation, on August 5, 1998.
31 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The best time to visit Orkney
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to August, when daytime highs sit near 23°C.
Winter (June–August) is warm, with average highs around 23°C and lows near 2°C.
Spring (September–November) is hot, with average highs around 30°C and lows near 11°C.
Summer (December–February) is hot, with average highs around 31°C and lows near 16°C.
Autumn (March–May) is warm, with average highs around 27°C and lows near 10°C.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16° | 31° | 76 mm | 10 | 59% | 53% | 41° | 7° |
| February | 16° | 31° | 74 mm | 10 | 60% | 54% | 38° | 8° |
| March | 14° | 30° | 63 mm | 10 | 58% | 63% | 39° | 3° |
| April | 10° | 27° | 38 mm | 7 | 57% | 71% | 36° | -2° |
| May | 4° | 24° | 14 mm | 3 | 50% | 83% | 32° | -7° |
| June | 1° | 22° | 7.9 mm | 2 | 48% | 89% | 28° | -9° |
| July | 1° | 22° | 3.8 mm | 1 | 39% | 90% | 29° | -9° |
| August | 3° | 25° | 14 mm | 2 | 34% | 87% | 34° | -8° |
| September | 8° | 29° | 13 mm | 3 | 31% | 82% | 36° | -6° |
| October | 12° | 31° | 45 mm | 8 | 35% | 68% | 41° | -1° |
| November | 14° | 31° | 60 mm | 10 | 46% | 59% | 42° | 0° |
| December | 16° | 32° | 93 mm | 12 | 54% | 52% | 40° | 8° |
Station: POTCHEFSTROOM, 48 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.
Orkney climate questions
How much rain does Orkney get?
Orkney gets 502 mm of precipitation in an average year, over about 77 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Orkney?
December is the wettest month in Orkney, with 93 mm. July is the driest, with 4 mm.
How many rainy days does Orkney have a year?
Orkney has about 77 days with measurable rain in an average year. December has the most, about 12.
What is the hottest month in Orkney?
December is the warmest month in Orkney, with an average high of 32°C.
What is the coldest month in Orkney?
July is the coldest month in Orkney, with an average low of 1°C.
What is the record high temperature in Orkney?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Orkney station is 42°C, set on November 15, 2021. The record low is -9°C, on June 17, 2010.
What is the sunniest month in Orkney?
July is the sunniest month in Orkney, with estimated sunshine of 90% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Orkney?
The first fall freeze in Orkney typically comes around May 28. The last spring freeze is around August 26.
What is the best time to visit Orkney?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to August, when daytime highs sit near 23°C.