Weather and climate in Sylt (Germany)

The climate of Sylt is sub-oceanic, humid and rainy, influenced by currents from the Atlantic and the North Sea, with cold, gray winters and cool to mild summers.
The island of Sylt is located in the northernmost part of Germany, in Schleswig-Holstein, on the border with Denmark. We are in the German part of the historical region of Friesland, in the group of the North Frisian Islands. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway built in 1927 and on which only a railway passes.
The wind blows frequently, and can be intense, especially from November to March.
The average temperature of the coldest months (January and February) is of 2.4 °C (36.3 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 18 °C (64.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures in List, in the north of the island.

Precipitation amounts to 695 millimeters (27.4 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 30 mm (1.2 in) in the driest month (April) to 90 mm (3.5 in) in the wettest (August). 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 -7 °C (19.5 °F).
Sometimes, however, there can be cold spells, in which the temperature can drop as low as -10 °C (14 °F) or even 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 -21 °C (-6 °F), set in January 1942 and February 1940. More recently, the temperature dropped to -16 °C (3 °F) in February 1956, to -15.5 °C (4 °F) in January 1987, and to -11.5 °C (11.5 °F) in February 2012.
Even in spring, until April or the first half of May, there is often 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 from the sea. However, there are also mild or pleasantly warm periods.
At times, warm periods can occur, generally of short duration, which in recent years are becoming more frequent due to global warming, and in which the temperature can exceed 25 °C (77 °F). However, given the latitude and the presence of the sea, the heat is less intense and lasting than in the central-southern German plains. On the hottest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 29 °C (84 °F). The heat record is 33 °C (91 °F), set in August 2018.



On average, there are around 1,730 sunshine hours per year. The amount of sunshine is slightly higher than in the rest of northern Germany. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Unlike the rest of Germany, Sylt's latitude (54°55'N) is high enough to observe the phenomenon of the white nights, in which the sun sets but it does not get completely dark even at midnight, and this happens from 12 June to July 1st.
On June 21, the longest day of the year, the sun rises at 5:15 am and sets at 9:45 pm. On December 21, the shortest day of the year, the sun rises at 8:50 am and sets at 4:00 pm.
The sea temperature ranges between 3 °C (37 °F) and 19 °C (66 °F). So, it never becomes warm for swimming (except for tourists from northern Europe). On the long beach, people sunbathe in special deckchairs with protection against the wind. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Sylt runs from June to August, since it is the warmest and sunniest period of the year. Sometimes, it can be hot in July and August, while in other circumstances, nights can be cool or even a little cold even in these months, so it can be useful to bring a sweatshirt or sweater and a light jacket.

Sylt - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 2.4 °C (36 °F), with a minimum of 0.7 °C (33.3 °F) and a maximum of 4.1 °C (39.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.3 °C (13.5 °F) in January 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8 °C (46 °F). However, it reached 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) in January 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 21% of the time.
The average humidity is 92%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4 °C (39.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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February, the coldest month of the year, is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 2.4 °C (36 °F), with a minimum of 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) and a maximum of 4.1 °C (39.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -11.5 °C (11.3 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7.5 °C (46 °F). However, it reached 12.8 °C (55 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 90%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3 °C (37.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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March is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.2 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 2 °C (35.6 °F) and a maximum of 6.5 °C (43.7 °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 -7.1 °C (19.2 °F) in March 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it reached 16.6 °C (61.9 °F) in March 2017.
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 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4 °C (39.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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April is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.2 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 5.1 °C (41.2 °F) and a maximum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.1 °C (26.4 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 24.7 °C (76.5 °F) in April 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% 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 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.0 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8.9 °C (48 °F) and a maximum of 15.2 °C (59.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in May 2013.
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 27.2 °C (81 °F) in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 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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June is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.0 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 12.2 °C (54 °F) and a maximum of 17.9 °C (64.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 20 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 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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July is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.6 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 14.7 °C (58.5 °F) and a maximum of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 32.8 °C (91 °F) in July 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 40 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 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 18.0 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 15.2 °C (59.4 °F) and a maximum of 20.7 °C (69.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) in August 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in August 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% 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 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.0 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F) and a maximum of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.2 °C (43.2 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 27.8 °C (82 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 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 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.8 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 8.7 °C (47.7 °F) and a maximum of 12.9 °C (55.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.5 °C (31.1 °F) in October 1997.
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 22.7 °C (72.9 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 14 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 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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November is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 6.6 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 4.8 °C (40.6 °F) and a maximum of 8.3 °C (46.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.1 °C (21 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it reached 15.8 °C (60.4 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 13 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 21% of the time.
The average humidity is 90%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9 °C (48.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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December is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.8 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 2 °C (35.6 °F) and a maximum of 5.5 °C (41.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.3 °C (13.5 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it reached 12.1 °C (53.8 °F) in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 20 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 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 19% of the time.
The average humidity is 93%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (42.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.