Climate - Plymouth (England)

The climate of Plymouth is oceanic, with quite cold, rainy winters and mild, relatively rainy summers.
The city is located in the south-west of England, in Devon, in the area that in winter is the mildest of the country. Not surprisingly, snow is very rare, and even when it snows, only a few centimeters (1 inch = 2.54 cm) generally accumulate on the ground.
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.
On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature generally drops to around -2/-3 °C (27/28 °F °F), but can sometimes drop to lower values. The coldest record is -8.8 °C (16.2 °F) and was set in January 1979.
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, Plymouth 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 31.6 °C (88.9 °F) and was set in June 1976.

Best Time

The best time to visit Plymouth 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.

Plymouth - Climate data

In Plymouth, the average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of 6.5 °C (43.7 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 16.7 °C (62.0 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Plymouth, precipitation amounts to 1040 millimeters (40.9 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 60 mm (2.4 in) in the driest month (May) to 125 mm (4.9 in) in the wettest one (December). Here is the average precipitation.
At Plymouth, the sea temperature ranges from 9 °C (48 °F) in March to 16.5 °C (62 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Plymouth, there are on average around 1735 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Plymouth - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Plymouth is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 6.6 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 4.2 °C (39.6 °F) and a maximum of 9 °C (48.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °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 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 23% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (50.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Plymouth is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 6.5 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 3.9 °C (39 °F) and a maximum of 9.1 °C (48.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -6.5 °C (20.3 °F) in February 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it reached 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine 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 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Plymouth is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.8 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 4.8 °C (40.6 °F) and a maximum of 10.7 °C (51.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -4.6 °C (23.7 °F) in March 2018.
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 20.1 °C (68.2 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 12 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 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 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 April, the weather in Plymouth is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.6 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 6.2 °C (43.1 °F) and a maximum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -1.6 °C (29.1 °F) in April 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 24.1 °C (75.4 °F) in April 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (49.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Plymouth is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.2 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8.6 °C (47.4 °F) and a maximum of 15.7 °C (60.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1.2 °C (34.2 °F) in May 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 26 °C (78.8 °F) in May 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% 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 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Plymouth is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.8 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) and a maximum of 18.4 °C (65.1 °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 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) in June 2009.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it reached 28.7 °C (83.7 °F) in June 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 25 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 7.5 hours of sunshine 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 (10 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 Plymouth is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.6 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 13.1 °C (55.5 °F) and a maximum of 20.1 °C (68.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) in July 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 30.9 °C (87.6 °F) in July 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 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 Plymouth is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.7 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 13.2 °C (55.7 °F) and a maximum of 20.2 °C (68.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in August 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Plymouth is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.9 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 11.5 °C (52.7 °F) and a maximum of 18.4 °C (65 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 3.9 °C (39 °F) in September 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it reached 25.9 °C (78.6 °F) in September 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Plymouth is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.2 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 9.3 °C (48.8 °F) and a maximum of 15 °C (59 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to -1.1 °C (30 °F) in October 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 24.7 °C (76.5 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 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 Plymouth is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.3 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 6.7 °C (44.1 °F) and a maximum of 11.8 °C (53.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, it dropped to -4.2 °C (24.4 °F) in November 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it reached 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) in November 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 27% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Plymouth is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.2 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 4.8 °C (40.7 °F) and a maximum of 9.5 °C (49.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5.6 °C (21.9 °F) in December 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it reached 15.1 °C (59.2 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 5 minutes. 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 22% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.