Question 1

Which months are the sunniest in Edinburgh?

Accepted Answer

Edinburgh's sunniest months in 2025 were August and May, with late spring and summer delivering by far the most daylight hours. August topped the list with 297.5 hours of sunshine, closely followed by May with 293.0 hours — both averaging roughly 9.5 hours of sun per day.

April rounded out the top three with 219.3 hours, showing how quickly Edinburgh brightens after a dim winter. Across the full 2025 calendar year, the city recorded 1,959.7 total sunshine hours, averaging about 163 hours per month.

The contrast with winter is striking. February was the darkest month with just 74.8 hours, and the surrounding months of November (78.2 hours), December (77.1 hours), and January (85.9 hours) were almost as gloomy. In other words, Edinburgh's brightest month delivered roughly four times the sunshine of its darkest.

Sunshine in Edinburgh also tends to pair with comfortable conditions. Sunny August 2025 had a mean temperature of 16.1°C (61.0°F) and a high of 26.4°C (79.5°F), with relatively low rainfall of 35.8mm (1.41in). May was cooler but pleasant, averaging 11.8°C (53.2°F) and peaking at 21.0°C (69.8°F).

For visitors planning around daylight, May through August is clearly the best window for outdoor sightseeing, festivals, and walks around Edinburgh, while the short, overcast days from November to February are far less reliable for sun-dependent activities.

Question 2

Which season is the wettest in Edinburgh?

Accepted Answer

Autumn is the wettest season in Edinburgh, with the city recording 288.7 mm (11.4 in) of rainfall during autumn 2025 (September to November) — more than any other meteorological season.

Across 2025, Edinburgh's seasonal precipitation broke down as follows:

- **Autumn (September–November):** 288.7 mm (11.4 in)
- **Summer (June–August):** 225.7 mm (8.9 in)
- **Winter, January–February portion (DJF):** 206.4 mm (8.1 in)
- **Spring (March–May):** 114.9 mm (4.5 in)

Autumn alone accounted for roughly 35% of Edinburgh's 835.7 mm (32.9 in) of annual rainfall in 2025. The single wettest month of the year was November, which delivered a striking 154.3 mm (6.1 in) — over half of the entire autumn total on its own. By contrast, the driest stretch came in spring, with April seeing just 26.8 mm (1.1 in).

For visitors and residents, this means autumn is the season to keep waterproofs close in Edinburgh, especially heading into November when rainfall peaks and average temperatures cool to around 6.6°C (43.8°F). Spring, particularly April, offers the best odds of drier weather for sightseeing and outdoor walks. Wind also stays brisk year-round, averaging about 14 km/h (8.8 mph), so a wind-resistant layer is a sensible companion to a raincoat whatever the season.

Question 3

What is the annual temperature range in Edinburgh?

Accepted Answer

Edinburgh has a notably moderate annual temperature range, with 2025 temperatures spanning from a low of -6.3°C (20.7°F) in January to a high of 27.8°C (82.0°F) in June — an absolute spread of about 34°C (61°F-degrees) across the year.

Despite those extremes on individual days, Edinburgh's month-to-month climate is mild and stable. In 2025 the coldest month was January, averaging just 3.0°C (37.4°F), while the warmest was July at 16.2°C (61.2°F). That gives a typical seasonal swing of only 13.2°C (23.8°F-degrees) between the coldest and warmest months, and an annual mean temperature of 9.9°C (49.8°F).

A few points capture Edinburgh's 2025 temperature pattern:

- **Warmest day:** 27.8°C (82.0°F) in June
- **Coldest day:** -6.3°C (20.7°F) in January
- **Mildest month average:** 16.2°C (61.2°F) in July
- **Coolest month average:** 3.0°C (37.4°F) in January

This relatively compressed range reflects Edinburgh's coastal location, where the surrounding sea keeps summers cool and winters from turning severe. For visitors, it means you rarely face true heat or deep cold, but you should always pack layers — even summer nights can dip toward single digits. Spring and autumn are transitional, so temperatures in Edinburgh shift gradually rather than dramatically, making the city comfortable to explore in almost any month of the year.

Question 4

How windy is Edinburgh, and which months are the windiest?

Accepted Answer

Edinburgh is a consistently breezy city, with an average wind speed of around **14.2 km/h (8.8 mph)** across 2025. Winds are steady rather than extreme, and they stay within a fairly narrow band throughout the year.

The windiest month in Edinburgh in 2025 was **June, averaging 16.9 km/h (10.5 mph)**, followed closely by autumn and late-winter spells. The calmest month was **April at 11.5 km/h (7.1 mph)**, making spring the gentlest time for wind overall.

A few months stood out as noticeably breezier, each averaging 15 km/h (9.3 mph) or more:

- **June:** 16.9 km/h (10.5 mph)
- **October:** 15.8 km/h (9.8 mph)
- **February:** 15.5 km/h (9.6 mph)
- **March:** 15.0 km/h (9.3 mph)

Looking at the meteorological seasons within 2025, the differences are modest: summer (June–August) was the windiest at **14.8 km/h (9.2 mph)**, autumn (September–November) close behind at **14.5 km/h (9.0 mph)**, winter (January–February) at **14.2 km/h (8.8 mph)**, and spring (March–May) the calmest at **13.2 km/h (8.2 mph)**.

For visitors and residents, this means Edinburgh rarely feels still, but its winds are generally manageable for walking, sightseeing, and outdoor activities year-round. If you prefer calmer conditions, April and the wider spring period are your best bet, while breezy June days are worth keeping a light jacket handy for.

Question 5

What is the weather like in Edinburgh in December?

Accepted Answer

December in Edinburgh is cool, damp and grey, with mild daytime temperatures rarely dropping to a hard freeze. In December 2025, the city averaged 6.1°C (43.0°F), confirming its reputation for relatively mild but wet midwinter weather.

Across the month, typical daily highs reached about 8.6°C (47.5°F) and overnight lows settled near 3.3°C (38.0°F). The warmest day was 9 December 2025 at 15.4°C (59.7°F), while the coldest night dipped to just -2.5°C (27.5°F). Sub-zero nights were rare, with only 2 frost nights all month, so prolonged ice or snow is uncommon in Edinburgh at this time of year.

Rain is the defining feature of an Edinburgh December. The city recorded:

- **79.6 mm (3.1 in)** of total precipitation
- **14 days** with measurable rain (1 mm or more) versus 13 completely dry days
- A wettest day of **18.9 mm** on 7 December 2025

Sunshine is in short supply, with only 77.1 hours over the month, averaging about 2.5 hours of sun per day, and humidity stayed high at 86.3%.

For visitors, December in Edinburgh means packing a warm, waterproof coat and layers rather than heavy snow gear. The mild conditions keep the city accessible for Christmas markets and Hogmanay celebrations, but the limited daylight and frequent showers make waterproofs and indoor plans essential. Mornings and evenings feel raw and damp, so warm, water-resistant clothing is the key to enjoying Edinburgh comfortably in midwinter.

Davidsons Mains

Scotland

FAQ

Which months are the sunniest in Edinburgh?

Which season is the wettest in Edinburgh?

What is the annual temperature range in Edinburgh?

How windy is Edinburgh, and which months are the windiest?

What is the weather like in Edinburgh in December?