Climate - Stornoway (Scotland)

The climate of Stornoway 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 north of the Isle of Lewis and Harris, which is part of the Outer Hebrides, located to the north-west of Scotland.

Winter is long and runs from mid-November to mid-April, and it is cold but not freezing: the average temperature is a few degrees above freezing (0 °C or 32 °F). Wind and humidity, however, together with the lack of sunshine, exacerbate the sensation of cold.
Owing to the latitude, the days are very short from November to January. On December 21, the shortest day of the year, the sun rises at 9:11 am and sets at 3:35 pm.
Snowfalls are quite frequent, though not abundant. Cold winds of polar origin blow quite often, but owing to the presence of the sea, the temperature does not drop by much, so there can be light frosts, but it rarely drops below -5/-6 °C (21/23 °F). Furthermore, even during cold periods, the maximum temperature almost always exceeds freezing. The coldest record is -12.2 °C (10 °F) and was set in January 1960.
On the other hand, in periods when the mild westerlies blow, the temperature remains a few degrees above freezing, and can even reach 10/12 °C (50/54 °F), however, in these situations, the sky remains cloudy, and wind and rain are frequent. Intense Atlantic depressions, which often occur in this area, can bring gale-force winds, and cause sea storms.

The short spring, from mid-April to late May, is cold: the temperature remains low, and wintery periods are still possible, with snow showers, even in the first half of May. However, the days are long, the wind slows down a bit, and every so often, you can see the sun.

Summer, from June to August, is very cool, humid and rainy, and sometimes windy. Sometimes fog can form.
On the warmest days of the year, the temperature typically rises to 23/24 °C (73/75 °F), although the highest record is 26.3 °C (79.3 °F), set in August 1999.
On the other hand, the days are very long. On June 21, the longest day of the year, the sun rises at 4:20 am and sets at 10:34 pm. Since we are at a high latitude (at the 58h parallel), the white nights occur from May 19 to July 24, in which it is not completely dark even at midnight.
In addition, summer is the least windy season, even though some days with strong wind are still possible.

Autumn, from September to mid-November, is cloudy, rainy and windy, and it gets progressively colder.

Best Time

The best time to visit Stornoway 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.

Stornoway - Climate data

In Stornoway, the average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of 5.0 °C (40.9 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 13.6 °C (56.6 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Stornoway, precipitation amounts to 1235 millimeters (48.6 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 65 mm (2.6 in) in the driest month (June) to 145 mm (5.7 in) in the wettest one (January). Here is the average precipitation.
At Stornoway, the sea temperature ranges from 7 °C (45 °F) in March to 13.5 °C (56 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Stornoway, there are on average around 1255 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Stornoway - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Stornoway is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.1 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 2.7 °C (36.9 °F) and a maximum of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.2 °C (24.4 °F) in January 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it reached 14.4 °C (57.9 °F) in January 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 145 mm (5.7 in), distributed over 21 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are short.
There is an average of 1 hour of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 14% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 25 kph (16 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Stornoway is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.0 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 2.4 °C (36.4 °F) and a maximum of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5.2 °C (22.6 °F) in February 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it reached 13.5 °C (56.3 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 23% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 25 kph (15 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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In March, the weather in Stornoway is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.8 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 3.2 °C (37.7 °F) and a maximum of 8.5 °C (47.3 °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 -6.4 °C (20.5 °F) in March 2001.
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 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 24 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (45 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Stornoway is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.5 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 4.6 °C (40.2 °F) and a maximum of 10.4 °C (50.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in April 2016.
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 20.8 °C (69.4 °F) in April 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (13 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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In May, the weather in Stornoway is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 6.4 °C (43.4 °F) and a maximum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) in May 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 23.2 °C (73.8 °F) in May 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 50 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 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 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 Stornoway is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.8 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 9 °C (48.3 °F) and a maximum of 14.5 °C (58.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1.6 °C (34.9 °F) in June 2015.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) in June 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 18 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 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% 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 10.5 °C (51.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Stornoway is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.6 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 10.8 °C (51.5 °F) and a maximum of 16.3 °C (61.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 26.2 °C (79.2 °F) in July 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 4.5 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 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Stornoway is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.6 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.7 °F) and a maximum of 16.4 °C (61.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4.4 °C (39.9 °F) in August 2016.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it reached 26.3 °C (79.3 °F) in August 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 4.5 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 (11 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 September, the weather in Stornoway is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.1 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 9.5 °C (49 °F) and a maximum of 14.7 °C (58.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.8 °C (33.4 °F) in September 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) in September 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Stornoway is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 7 °C (44.5 °F) and a maximum of 12 °C (53.6 °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 -1 °C (30.2 °F) in October 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (60.5 °F). However, it reached 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) in October 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 20 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (13 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 Stornoway is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.0 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 4.5 °C (40.2 °F) and a maximum of 9.5 °C (49.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.7 °C (25.3 °F) in November 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (56 °F). However, it reached 16.3 °C (61.3 °F) in November 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 21 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 50 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 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 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 December, the weather in Stornoway is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.3 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 2.8 °C (37.1 °F) and a maximum of 7.8 °C (46.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.4 °C (18.7 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it reached 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) in December 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 140 mm (5.5 in), distributed over 21 days.
The day lasts on average 6 hours and 30 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 13% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.