Climate - Ipswich (England)

The climate of Ipswich is oceanic, with quite cold, rainy winters and mild, relatively rainy summers.
The city is located in the south-east of England, in Suffolk (i.e. the southern part of the region called East Anglia), near the North Sea coast, on the estuary of the River Orwell.
Even though the rains are frequent, we are in the least rainy area of Great Britain, where the annual total is less than 600 millimeters (23.5 inches).
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.
Due to the proximity to continental Europe, cold air masses from the east can sometimes arrive, which can bring snow after passing over the North Sea.
On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature generally drops to around -5 °C (23 °F), but can sometimes drop to lower values. The coldest record is -16 °C (3 °F) and was set in January 1963.
In summer, temperatures are generally mild or cool. It can also rain, albeit a little less often than in winter. However, we are in the warmest area of Great Britain, which also includes London, the only one where the maximum temperature in July reaches or exceeds 23 °C (73 °F).
Furthermore, very hot periods cannot be ruled out, usually of short duration. The temperature reached 35.7 °C (96.3 °F) in July 2022 and 35 °C (95 °F) in August 2003.

Best Time

The best time to visit Ipswich is the summer, or more generally from mid-May to mid-September: temperatures are generally good for outdoors activities, although it's better to bring an umbrella, and a sweatshirt or sweater for the evening or for cool days.

Ipswich - Climate data

In Ipswich, the average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 4.4 °C (39.9 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 17.5 °C (63.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Ipswich, precipitation amounts to 585 millimeters (23 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 35 mm (1.4 in) in the driest months (March, April) to 60 mm (2.4 in) in the wettest ones (August, November) Here is the average precipitation.
At Ipswich, the sea temperature ranges from 6.5 °C (44 °F) in February to 17 °C (63 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Ipswich, there are on average around 1740 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Ipswich - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Ipswich is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.5 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 1.2 °C (34.2 °F) and a maximum of 7.8 °C (46 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.1 °C (13.8 °F) in January 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it reached 15.4 °C (59.7 °F) in January 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Ipswich is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.7 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 1.1 °C (34 °F) and a maximum of 8.3 °C (47 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22.5 °F). However, it dropped to -14.4 °C (6.1 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it reached 18.3 °C (64.9 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6.5 °C (44 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Ipswich is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.0 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 2.7 °C (36.8 °F) and a maximum of 11.4 °C (52.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.5 °C (20.3 °F) in March 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 20.3 °C (68.5 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (44 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Ipswich is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.0 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 3.8 °C (38.9 °F) and a maximum of 14.1 °C (57.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -6 °C (21.2 °F) in April 2012.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (47 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Ipswich is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.2 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 6.8 °C (44.3 °F) and a maximum of 17.5 °C (63.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in May 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 28.4 °C (83.1 °F) in May 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (51 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Ipswich is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.1 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 9.6 °C (49.2 °F) and a maximum of 20.6 °C (69.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to -1.1 °C (30 °F) in June 2012.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in June 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (56 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Ipswich is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.5 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11.8 °C (53.3 °F) and a maximum of 23.1 °C (73.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 3 °C (37.4 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In August, the weather in Ipswich is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.3 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11.8 °C (53.2 °F) and a maximum of 22.8 °C (73.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.9 °C (39 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 35.2 °C (95.4 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 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 Ipswich is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.7 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 9.7 °C (49.4 °F) and a maximum of 19.7 °C (67.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in September 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 28.4 °C (83.1 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Ipswich is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.0 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 6.8 °C (44.3 °F) and a maximum of 15.2 °C (59.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -5.5 °C (22.1 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it reached 28.4 °C (83.1 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Ipswich is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.3 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 3.6 °C (38.5 °F) and a maximum of 11 °C (51.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (25 °F). However, it dropped to -7.1 °C (19.2 °F) in November 2016.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it reached 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) in November 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 28% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (53.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Ipswich is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.4 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 1.1 °C (34 °F) and a maximum of 7.7 °C (45.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21 °F). However, it dropped to -14.5 °C (5.9 °F) in December 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it reached 15.7 °C (60.3 °F) in December 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.