Best Time to Visit
🇬🇧 Edinburgh, United Kingdom · Europe
Based on 30-year climate data (1991-2020) from Open-Meteo
Jan
6°
2°
Poor
Feb
6°
2°
Fair
Mar
8°
3°
Fair
Apr
10°
4°
Great
May
13°
7°
Good
Jun
16°
10°
Great
Jul
18°
12°
Great
Aug
17°
11°
Great
Sep
15°
10°
Great
Oct
12°
7°
Good
Nov
8°
4°
Poor
Dec
6°
2°
Poor
| Month | High | Low | Rain Days | Sunshine | Humidity | UV | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°C | 2°C | 14 | 4h | 65% | 1 | Poor | View |
| February | 6°C | 2°C | 12 | 5h | 65% | 1 | Fair | View |
| March | 8°C | 3°C | 13 | 7h | 65% | 6 | Fair | View |
| AprilRecommended | 10°C | 4°C | 12 | 9h | 65% | 6 | Great | View |
| May | 13°C | 7°C | 13 | 11h | 65% | 10 | Good | View |
| JuneRecommended | 16°C | 10°C | 14 | 10h | 65% | 10 | Great | View |
| JulyRecommended | 18°C | 12°C | 14 | 10h | 65% | 10 | Great | View |
| AugustRecommended | 17°C | 11°C | 13 | 9h | 65% | 10 | Great | View |
| SeptemberRecommended | 15°C | 10°C | 11 | 8h | 65% | 6 | Great | View |
| October | 12°C | 7°C | 13 | 6h | 65% | 6 | Good | View |
| November | 8°C | 4°C | 14 | 4h | 65% | 1 | Poor | View |
| December | 6°C | 2°C | 14 | 3h | 65% | 1 | Poor | View |
Data source: Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis archive, 30-year historical normals (1991-2020). Temperatures in Celsius. Sunshine hours are daily averages.
Avg: 10°C high, 5°C low
Cool to cold at 10°C (50°F), warm clothing essential. Rain is frequent, waterproof gear recommended. Nights cool to 5°C (41°F).
Avg: 17°C high, 11°C low
Mild conditions at 17°C (63°F), layers recommended. Rain is frequent, waterproof gear recommended. Nights cool to 11°C (52°F).
Avg: 12°C high, 7°C low
Mild conditions at 12°C (54°F), layers recommended. Rain is frequent, waterproof gear recommended. Nights cool to 7°C (45°F).
Avg: 6°C high, 2°C low
Cool to cold at 6°C (43°F), warm clothing essential. Rain is frequent, waterproof gear recommended. Nights cool to 2°C (36°F).
The least favorable time to visit Edinburgh is December and January. During this period, you can expect cold weather, frequent rain, very limited sunshine.
December
Challenges: cold weather, frequent rain, very limited sunshine
January
Challenges: cold weather, frequent rain
November
Challenges: cold weather, frequent rain
Note: visiting during off-peak months often means lower prices, fewer crowds, and a more authentic experience.
Packing recommendations for visiting Edinburgh during the best travel months (September, April, June), when temperatures range from 8°C to 14°C:
Edinburgh has a temperate oceanic climate (Koppen classification: Cfb). The warmest month is July with highs of 18°C, while the coldest month is December at just 6°C. Annual rainfall averages 817mm across approximately 157 rain days.
| Metric | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 6 |
| Low °C | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
| Rain Days | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
| Rain mm | 74 | 62 | 60 | 54 | 57 | 68 | 73 | 77 | 61 | 81 | 73 | 77 |
| Sun h/day | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Humidity % | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| UV Index | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
Considering alternatives to Edinburgh? Compare the best travel months for nearby cities:
For a complete day-by-day weather breakdown including packing lists, activities, and local events, explore each month individually:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Explore weather guides for other popular destinations: