Weather and climate in Glasgow (Scotland)

The climate of Glasgow, the most populous city in Scotland, 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 in the western part of Scotland, about 20 km (12 mi) from the estuary of the Clyde river, which flows into a fjord.
Since it is on the western side, Glasgow is rainier than the other Scottish cities, and is the rainiest city in the United Kingdom (only mountainous areas are rainier).

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. Due to the distance from the coast (the Firth of Clyde lies about 40 km or 25 miles to the west), Glasgow is a bit more prone to winter cold than other major Scottish cities. On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature typically drops to -8/-9 °C (16/18 °F), but can sometimes drop even lower. At Abbotsinch Airport, the coldest record is -20 °C (-4 °F) and was set in December 1995. In December 2010, there were 11 days with a minimum temperature equal to or below -10 °C (14 °F).

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 26/27 °C (79/81 °F), though it can sometimes reach higher values. The temperature reached 31 °C (88 °F) in August 1975 and in June 2018.

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 Glasgow (55°52'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 8:45 am and sets at 3:44 pm. A month later, on January 20, it rises at 8:30 am and sets at 4:25 pm. In mid-February, it rises at 7:40 am and sets at 5:20 pm.
In spring, the days become longer: already in April, the sun sets after 8 pm, and approximately from June 2 to July 10, the "white nights" occur, that is, it never becomes completely dark. On June 21, the longest day of the year, the sun rises at 4:31 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 6:15 pm in mid-October, and at 4:10 pm in mid-November.

Best Time

The best time to visit Glasgow 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.

Glasgow - Climate data

The average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 3.9 °C (39.0 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 15.0 °C (59.1 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 1370 millimeters (53.9 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 70 mm (2.8 in) in the driest month (May) to 160 mm (6.3 in) in the wettest one (December). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 7 °C (45 °F) in February, March to 14.5 °C (58 °F) in August, September. Here are the average sea temperatures.
There are on average around 1345 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Glasgow - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.1 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 1.3 °C (34.4 °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 °C (21 °F). However, it dropped to -12 °C (10.4 °F) in January 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it reached 14 °C (57.2 °F) in January 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 19% 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 (46.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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February is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.4 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 1.2 °C (34.2 °F) and a maximum of 7.6 °C (45.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12 °C (10.4 °F) in February 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it reached 15 °C (59 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. 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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March is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.8 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 2.1 °C (35.9 °F) and a maximum of 9.4 °C (48.9 °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 -9 °C (15.8 °F) in March 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% 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 7 °C (44 °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 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) and a maximum of 12.2 °C (54 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6 °C (21.2 °F) in April 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 24 °C (75.2 °F) in April 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% 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 8 °C (46 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.8 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 6.2 °C (43.1 °F) and a maximum of 15.3 °C (59.6 °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 -4 °C (24.8 °F) in May 2012.
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 °C (80.6 °F) in May 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 25 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 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (49.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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June is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.4 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 9.2 °C (48.5 °F) and a maximum of 17.6 °C (63.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in June 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 30 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 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (53.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.0 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 10.9 °C (51.6 °F) and a maximum of 19.2 °C (66.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3 °C (37.4 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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August is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.6 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 10.4 °C (50.8 °F) and a maximum of 18.8 °C (65.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in August 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 29.9 °C (85.8 °F) in August 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 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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September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.6 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 8.7 °C (47.6 °F) and a maximum of 16.5 °C (61.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in September 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in September 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 14 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 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 5.9 °C (42.6 °F) and a maximum of 13 °C (55.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -7.1 °C (19.2 °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 21 °C (69.8 °F) in October 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. 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.

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November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.4 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 3.2 °C (37.8 °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 -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in November 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it reached 16.2 °C (61.2 °F) in November 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 145 mm (5.7 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 10 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 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (53.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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December, 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 0.9 °C (33.6 °F) and a maximum of 6.9 °C (44.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (19 °F). However, it dropped to -19.9 °C (-3.8 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it reached 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) in December 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 160 mm (6.3 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 5 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 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (50 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.