Climate - Dundee (Scotland)

The climate of Dundee 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 east coast of Scotland, north of Edinburgh, in the Firth of Tay, the bay where the River Tay flows into the North Sea.

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 -6/-7 °C (19/21 °F), but can sometimes drop even lower. The coldest record is -17.1 °C (1.2 °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 temperature reached 29 °C (84 °F) in July 2013.

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 Dundee (56°28'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 8:44 am and sets at 3:35 pm. A month later, on January 20, it rises at 8:30 am and sets at 4:20 pm. In mid-February, it rises at 7:40 am and sets at 5:15 pm.
In spring, the days become longer: already in April, the sun sets after 8 pm, and approximately from May 29 to July 14, the "white nights" occur, that is, it never becomes completely dark. On June 21, the longest day of the year, the sun rises at 4:21 am and sets at 10:06 pm.
In autumn, the days rapidly shorten: the sun sets at about 7:30 pm in mid-September, at about 6:10 pm in mid-October, and at about 4 pm in mid-November.

Best Time

The best time to visit Dundee 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.

Dundee - Climate data

In Dundee, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 3.7 °C (38.7 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 15.2 °C (59.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Dundee, precipitation amounts to 750 millimeters (29.5 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 45 mm (1.8 in) in the driest month (April) to 85 mm (3.3 in) in the wettest one (October). Here is the average precipitation.
At Dundee, the sea temperature ranges from 6.5 °C (44 °F) in March to 14 °C (57 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Dundee, there are on average around 1460 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Dundee - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Dundee is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.7 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 0.7 °C (33.3 °F) and a maximum of 6.7 °C (44 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.4 °C (15.1 °F) in January 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (53 °F). However, it reached 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 1.5 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 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (46 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Dundee is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.3 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 1.2 °C (34.1 °F) and a maximum of 7.5 °C (45.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.9 °C (14.2 °F) in February 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it reached 15.4 °C (59.7 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (44.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Dundee is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.9 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 2.3 °C (36.1 °F) and a maximum of 9.5 °C (49 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.3 °C (15.3 °F) in March 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it reached 21.6 °C (70.9 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 9 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 33% 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 6.5 °C (44 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Dundee is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 4 °C (39.2 °F) and a maximum of 12 °C (53.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -3.4 °C (25.9 °F) in April 2013.
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 21 °C (69.8 °F) in April 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (44.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Dundee is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.6 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 6.3 °C (43.4 °F) and a maximum of 14.9 °C (58.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.3 °C (27.9 °F) in May 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 26 °C (78.8 °F) in May 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 30 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 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Dundee is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.3 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 9.2 °C (48.5 °F) and a maximum of 17.4 °C (63.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to 1.9 °C (35.4 °F) in June 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73 °F). However, it reached 26.7 °C (80.1 °F) in June 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 35 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 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Dundee is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.2 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.8 °F) and a maximum of 19.4 °C (66.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 4.2 °C (39.6 °F) in July 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 28.9 °C (84 °F) in July 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In August, the weather in Dundee is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.0 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 10.8 °C (51.4 °F) and a maximum of 19.3 °C (66.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.9 °C (37.2 °F) in August 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 28.7 °C (83.7 °F) in August 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 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 September, the weather in Dundee is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.9 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 9 °C (48.2 °F) and a maximum of 16.9 °C (62.4 °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 0 °C (32 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in September 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 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 17 kph (10 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 October, the weather in Dundee 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 °C (55.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -3.1 °C (26.4 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 19.5 °C (67.1 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 12 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.

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In November, the weather in Dundee is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 6.2 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 3 °C (37.3 °F) and a maximum of 9.4 °C (48.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -10.4 °C (13.3 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it reached 16.4 °C (61.5 °F) in November 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Dundee is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.8 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 0.8 °C (33.5 °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 (22 °F). However, it dropped to -13.8 °C (7.2 °F) in December 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (54 °F). However, it reached 14.7 °C (58.5 °F) in December 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 0 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 20% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9 °C (48.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.