Climate - Heligoland (Germany)

The climate of Heligoland (German: Helgoland) is oceanic, humid, windy and rainy, with cold, cloudy winters and cool to mild summers.
The archipelago, consisting of two small islands, is located in the North Sea, about 50 km (30 mi) north of the German coast.
The average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of 3.2 °C (37.8 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). The temperature range between night and day is reduced, and the minimum temperature exceeds freezing even in winter. Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 760 millimeters (30 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 35 mm (1.4 in) in the driest month (April) to 90 mm (3.5 in) in the wettest ones (August, September). Here is the average precipitation.

Although the winter is not very cold for the latitude, it is often humid, windy and rainy. There may be relatively mild periods, when Atlantic currents prevail, and other colder periods, when the temperature drops below freezing and it can snow. Because of the influence of the sea, temperatures drop below freezing less often than in the rest of Germany. On the coldest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches -4/-5 °C (23/25 °F).
Sometimes, however, there can be cold spells, in which the temperature can drop as low as -7 °C (19 °F) or below. In fact, Scandinavian high pressure systems can reverse the normal circulation and bring very cold periods, which in the past were more frequent. The cold record is -11 °C (12 °F), set in February 1956.
In spring, temperatures slowly rise. In May, and sometimes even in early June, there can still be cold and unstable weather.
In summer, the weather is variable, with fairly frequent rains, perhaps alternating with bright spells. There can be cool days, with highs of 15/17 °C and a moderate or strong wind. However, there are also mild or pleasantly warm periods.
On the warmest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 25 °C (77 °F). The record is 28.5 °C (83.5 °F), set in July 1994.



On average, there are around 1,775 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature ranges between 5 °C (40 °F) and 18 °C (64 °F). So, it never becomes warm for swimming. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Heligoland runs from June to August, since it is the warmest and sunniest period of the year. However, it can be useful to bring a sweatshirt or sweater and a light jacket.

Heligoland - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Heligoland is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.7 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 2.3 °C (36.1 °F) and a maximum of 5.1 °C (41.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26 °F). However, it dropped to -6.6 °C (20.1 °F) in January 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it reached 11.1 °C (52 °F) in January 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 20% of the time.
The average wind speed is 32 kph (20 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5.5 °C (42 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Heligoland is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.2 °C (38 °F), with a minimum of 1.9 °C (35.4 °F) and a maximum of 4.6 °C (40.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.6 °C (16.5 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7.5 °C (46 °F). However, it reached 10.7 °C (51.3 °F) in February 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 27% of the time.
The average wind speed is 29 kph (18 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4.5 °C (40 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Heligoland is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.7 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) and a maximum of 6.2 °C (43.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5.9 °C (21.4 °F) in March 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 10 °C (49.5 °F). However, it reached 12.8 °C (55 °F) in March 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average wind speed is 27 kph (17 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (41 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Heligoland is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.8 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 5.9 °C (42.6 °F) and a maximum of 9.7 °C (49.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -1.3 °C (29.7 °F) in April 1996.
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 April 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (45 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Heligoland is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.4 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) and a maximum of 13.5 °C (56.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.3 °C (36.1 °F) in May 1997.
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 23.9 °C (75 °F) in May 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (51.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Heligoland is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.6 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F) and a maximum of 16.6 °C (61.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.2 °C (45 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it reached 25.6 °C (78.1 °F) in June 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are very long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Heligoland is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.4 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 15.4 °C (59.7 °F) and a maximum of 19.3 °C (66.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 28.7 °C (83.7 °F) in July 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Heligoland is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 16.1 °C (61 °F) and a maximum of 19.9 °C (67.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.9 °C (49.8 °F) in August 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Heligoland is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 14.1 °C (57.4 °F) and a maximum of 17.4 °C (63.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in September 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 24.4 °C (75.9 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average wind speed is 26 kph (16 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 Heligoland is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) and a maximum of 13.5 °C (56.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 1.5 °C (34.7 °F) in October 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 19.4 °C (66.9 °F) in October 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average wind speed is 29 kph (18 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Heligoland is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.0 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) and a maximum of 9.5 °C (49.1 °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 -4 °C (24.8 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it reached 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 20% of the time.
The average wind speed is 30 kph (19 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (51.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Heligoland is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.2 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) and a maximum of 6.7 °C (44.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -6.2 °C (20.8 °F) in December 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). However, it reached 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There is an average of 1 hour of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 16% of the time.
The average wind speed is 31 kph (19 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (46 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.