Climate - Brighton (England)

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In Brighton, a coastal town south of London, in East Sussex county, the climate is oceanic, with quite cold, rainy winters and mild, relatively rainy summers.
However, the southern coast of England, where Brighton is located, has a mild and sunny microclimate compared to the rest of Great Britain.
Winter is not very cold, but the sky is often cloudy, the humidity is high and there are periods when the wind blows moderate or strong. The rains are frequent.
Snow is rare, but can occasionally occur. On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature generally drops to around -5 °C (23 °F), but can sometimes drop to lower values. In nearby Shoreham Airport, the temperature dropped to -9.7 °C (14.5 °F) in December 2010.
In summer, temperatures are generally mild or cool. It can also rain, albeit a little less often than in winter.
Due to its coastal location, Brighton is a little more sheltered from the heat waves that can sometimes affect the south east of England. However, hot periods cannot be ruled out, usually of short duration. The highest record is 33 °C (91.4 °F) and was set in August 2020.
The average temperature ranges between 5.5 °C (42 °F) in January and February to 17.2 °C (63 °F) in July and August. Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to about 850 millimeters (34 inches) per year, and is therefore more abundant than in London, due to direct exposure to southern winds. The wettest season is autumn, along with the first part of winter. By February, precipitation decreases slightly in intensity and frequency, reaching a relative minimum in summer, when it still rains quite often. Here is the average rainfall.

In Brighton, the sun is rarely seen from November to February, while from May to August, it shines for an acceptable number of hours, and in any case, a little higher than in the rest of Great Britain. In an average year, there are about 1,900 hours of sunshine. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea in Brighton is very cool even in summer, and may be too cold for swimming, at least for tourists coming from southern Europe or for those who suffer from the cold: it only reaches 17 °C (63 °F) in August and September.

When to go

The best time to visit Brighton is the summer, from June to August, since it is the warmest of the year, although even in this season, it's better to bring a sweatshirt, a light jacket and an umbrella. The month of June is a bit cooler, so you may prefer July and August. September is a good month as well: it's a bit rainier than the summer months, but the temperatures are still pleasant, especially in the first part.
As previously mentioned, the sea is very cool even in summer, however, on sunny days, when the breeze is not too cool, you can sunbathe.

Brighton - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Brighton is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.4 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 2.8 °C (37 °F) and a maximum of 8 °C (46.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (25 °F). However, it dropped to -7.4 °C (18.7 °F) in January 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it reached 14.4 °C (57.9 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 2 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9 °C (48.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Brighton is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.4 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 2.7 °C (36.8 °F) and a maximum of 8.2 °C (46.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °F) in February 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (54 °F). However, it reached 15.1 °C (59.2 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 3 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (46.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Brighton is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.2 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 4.1 °C (39.4 °F) and a maximum of 10.4 °C (50.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -5.7 °C (21.7 °F) in March 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it reached 19.6 °C (67.3 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (46.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Brighton is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.3 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 5.6 °C (42.2 °F) and a maximum of 12.9 °C (55.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -4.2 °C (24.4 °F) in April 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 24.2 °C (75.6 °F) in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9 °C (48.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Brighton is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8.8 °C (47.8 °F) and a maximum of 16.1 °C (61 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.2 °C (32.4 °F) in May 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 28.8 °C (83.8 °F) in May 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Brighton is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.2 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 11.6 °C (53 °F) and a maximum of 18.7 °C (65.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) in June 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in June 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 25 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Brighton is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.2 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 13.7 °C (56.6 °F) and a maximum of 20.7 °C (69.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 6.5 °C (43.7 °F) in July 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in July 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Brighton is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.3 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) and a maximum of 20.9 °C (69.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in August 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in August 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (63 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Brighton is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.0 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) and a maximum of 18.8 °C (65.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.1 °C (35.8 °F) in September 2012.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in September 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (63 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Brighton is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.0 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8.6 °C (47.4 °F) and a maximum of 15.4 °C (59.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -3.2 °C (26.2 °F) in October 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 4 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Brighton is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.5 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 5.6 °C (42.2 °F) and a maximum of 11.4 °C (52.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.1 °C (24.6 °F) in November 2016.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it reached 17.8 °C (64 °F) in November 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 3 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Brighton is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.9 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) and a maximum of 8.6 °C (47.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.7 °C (14.5 °F) in December 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it reached 14.1 °C (57.4 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 0 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 24% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.