Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
The climate of Aberdeen is
oceanic, with cold, rainy winters and cool, cloudy summers. The wind often blows, and can sometimes be stormy, especially in the colder half of the year.
The city is located on the north-eastern coast of Scotland.
Winter, from December to February, is quite cold: temperatures are not so low, but wind and humidity can increase the sensation of cold. The sky is often cloudy, and rainfall is frequent. Sometimes, intense Atlantic depressions can cause wind storms.
Snowfalls are quite rare, and generally not abundant. However, the season in which snow can fall is long, and runs from November to April.
From time to time, there can be
cold spells, but generally they don't last long. On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature typically drops to -7/-8 °C (18/19 °F), but can sometimes drop even lower. At the airport, the coldest record is -19.3 °C (-2.7 °F) and was set in January 1982.
In
spring, from March to May, the temperature slowly rises, and Atlantic fronts become a bit less frequent. In May, it is often still quite cold.
Summer, from June to August, is cool, with quite frequent rains.
However, quite rarely, there may be periods, usually short-lived, with sunny weather and pleasantly warm temperatures. On the warmest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 25/26 °C (77/79 °F), though it can sometimes reach higher values. The highest record is 29.8 °C (85.6 °F), set in July 2006, while in August 1995 and 2022 the temperature reached 29.7 °C (85.5 °F).
Autumn, from September to November, is gray, cloudy and rainy, and with each passing week, it gets progressively colder. In November, the wind is often moderate or strong.
Given the latitude of Aberdeen (57°09'N), the
length of the days varies greatly between the different months of the year.
On the shortest day of the year, December 21st, the sun rises at 8:46 am and sets at 3:27 pm. A month later, on January 20, it rises at 8:30 am and sets at 4:08 pm. In mid-February, it rises at 7:38 am and sets at 5:07 pm.
In spring, the days become longer: already in April, the sun sets after 8 pm, and approximately from May 25 to July 18, the "white nights" occur, that is, it never becomes completely dark. On June 21, the longest day of the year, the sun rises at 4:12 am and sets at 10:08 pm.
In autumn, the days rapidly shorten: the sun sets at about 7:30 pm in mid-September, at about 6:05 pm in mid-October, and at about 4 pm in mid-November.
Best Time
The best time to visit Aberdeen is the summer, from June to August, since it is the mildest season. However, there are often cloudy skies, wind, rain and a bit of cold at night.
Aberdeen - Climate data
In Aberdeen, the
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 3.9 °C (38.9 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 14.7 °C (58.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Aberdeen - Average temperatures (1991-2020) Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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January | 1 | 6.8 | 3.9 | 34 | 44 | 38.9 |
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February | 1.1 | 7.3 | 4.2 | 34 | 45 | 39.6 |
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March | 2.1 | 9.1 | 5.6 | 36 | 48 | 42.1 |
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April | 3.9 | 11.2 | 7.5 | 39 | 52 | 45.6 |
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May | 6 | 13.9 | 10 | 43 | 57 | 50 |
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June | 9 | 16.3 | 12.7 | 48 | 61 | 54.8 |
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July | 11 | 18.5 | 14.7 | 52 | 65 | 58.5 |
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August | 10.8 | 18.2 | 14.5 | 51 | 65 | 58.1 |
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September | 9.1 | 16.1 | 12.6 | 48 | 61 | 54.7 |
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October | 6.3 | 12.6 | 9.4 | 43 | 55 | 48.9 |
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November | 3.1 | 9.2 | 6.2 | 38 | 49 | 43.1 |
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December | 0.9 | 6.9 | 3.9 | 34 | 44 | 39 |
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Year | 5.4 | 12.2 | 8.75 | 41.7 | 54 | 48 |
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Precipitation amounts to 835 millimeters (32.9 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 55 mm (2.2 in) in the driest months (March, May) to 100 mm (3.9 in) in the wettest one (October). Here is the average precipitation.
Aberdeen - Average precipitationMonth | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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January | 70 | 2.8 | 12 |
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February | 60 | 2.4 | 11 |
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March | 55 | 2.2 | 11 |
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April | 60 | 2.4 | 11 |
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May | 55 | 2.2 | 10 |
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June | 70 | 2.8 | 12 |
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July | 70 | 2.8 | 12 |
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August | 70 | 2.8 | 11 |
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September | 60 | 2.4 | 10 |
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October | 100 | 3.9 | 14 |
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November | 95 | 3.7 | 14 |
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December | 80 | 3.1 | 13 |
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Year | 835 | 32.9 | 143 |
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The
sea temperature ranges from 7 °C (45 °F) in February, March, April to
Aberdeen - Sea temperatureMonth | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 8 | 46 | February | 7 | 45 | March | 7 | 44 | April | 7 | 45 | May | 8.5 | 48 | June | 11 | 52 | July | 13 | 55 | August | 13.5 | 57 | September | 13 | 55 | October | 11.5 | 53 | November | 10.5 | 51 | December | 9.5 | 49 | Year | 10 | 50 |
There are on average around 1450
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Aberdeen - Sunshine hoursMonth | Average | Total |
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January | 2 | 60 | February | 3 | 85 | March | 4 | 125 | April | 5 | 155 | May | 6.5 | 205 | June | 5.5 | 165 | July | 5 | 160 | August | 5 | 155 | September | 4 | 125 | October | 3 | 95 | November | 2.5 | 70 | December | 1.5 | 50 | Year | 4 | 1450 |
Aberdeen - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.9 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 1 °C (33.7 °F) and a maximum of 6.8 °C (44.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13.7 °C (7.3 °F) in January 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (54 °F). However, it reached 17.2 °C (63 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (46.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
February is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.2 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 1.1 °C (34 °F) and a maximum of 7.3 °C (45.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22 °F). However, it dropped to -12.6 °C (9.3 °F) in February 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it reached 17.2 °C (63 °F) in February 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% 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 7 °C (45 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
March is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.6 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 2.1 °C (35.8 °F) and a maximum of 9.1 °C (48.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °F). However, it dropped to -12.9 °C (8.8 °F) in March 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it reached 21.6 °C (70.9 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (44 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
April is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.5 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 3.9 °C (38.9 °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 -2 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -4.1 °C (24.6 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in April 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (45 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 6 °C (42.8 °F) and a maximum of 13.9 °C (57.1 °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 -2.4 °C (27.7 °F) in May 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 23.8 °C (74.8 °F) in May 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
June is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.7 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 9 °C (48.3 °F) and a maximum of 16.3 °C (61.4 °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 -0.3 °C (31.5 °F) in June 2000.
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 26.7 °C (80.1 °F) in June 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 50 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 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.7 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.8 °F) and a maximum of 18.5 °C (65.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) in July 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it reached 29.8 °C (85.6 °F) in July 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
August is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 10.8 °C (51.4 °F) and a maximum of 18.2 °C (64.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 1.7 °C (35.1 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 29.7 °C (85.5 °F) in August 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.6 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 9.1 °C (48.3 °F) and a maximum of 16.1 °C (61 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to -0.7 °C (30.7 °F) in September 1991.
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 26 °C (78.8 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) and a maximum of 12.6 °C (54.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.4 °C (24.1 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% 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 11.5 °C (53 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.2 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 3.1 °C (37.6 °F) and a maximum of 9.2 °C (48.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.1 °C (10.2 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (58.5 °F). However, it reached 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) in November 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 28% 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 10.5 °C (51 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
December is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.9 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 0.9 °C (33.6 °F) and a maximum of 6.9 °C (44.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -18.1 °C (-0.6 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (55 °F). However, it reached 15.1 °C (59.2 °F) in December 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 6 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 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 23% 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 9.5 °C (48.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.