Weather Overview

The weather in Edinburgh is full of surprises and the sunny days should not be taken for granted - having said that we have been rather sunburnt out filming in the evening!

The key to a successful stay in Edinburgh is to be wary and prepared, and you will not be disappointed or caught off guard by the haphazard Scottish weather!

This is the latest picture of Edinburgh Castle from the webcam at the top of Sheraton Hotel.

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And here is the webcam from the South of the City.

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The climate is temperate, meaning that the area does not experience significant temperature changes between the seasons.

The average temperature is 8.7°C (48°F).

The highest monthly average high temperature is 18°C (64°F) in July and August.

The lowest monthly average low temperature is 1°C (34°F) in January and February.

Edinburgh receives an average of 676 mm (26.6 in) of rainfall per year, or 56 mm (2.2 in) per month.

On average, there are 1384 hours of sunlight per year with an average of 3.8 hours of sunlight per day.

Because of a comparatively large amount of rain, it is wise to always carry a poncho or some other kind of waterproof jacket. Rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, rather than in any particular month or season, receiving less than 700mm of rainfall annually. Edinburgh’s location does give it a reputation of a windy city, although the prevailing wind direction – from the south-west – does mean that it tends to be moderately warm air, rather than freezing blasts. In Edinburgh, you can sometimes experience four seasons in one day, especially during spring and autumn.

Summers nights never get truly dark, but summers can be the most difficult in terms of clothing because in 30 minutes of sunshine you can get pretty warm and then be reminded of the power of the cloud covering the sun. Sightseeing in Edinburgh is a good exercise, not only because of the geography of the city, which is characterised by many hilly walks, but also because of the constant strip-cover up routine. 

Winter can make it hard to walk up and down the hilly streets as the pavement gets very slippery. Do not make the mistake of copying the locals wearing their light jackets when it’s cold. The air in Edinburgh is very humid, which means that the cold and the damp will try to get under your clothes. Wrap up well!

Stay assured that Edinburgh also treats us with beautiful, sunny days. They sometimes come in twos or threes and are very much appreciated by the locals and the visitors. It is highly unlikely to be staying in Edinburgh for a couple of days and not have even one dry or sunny day.

When coming to Edinburgh it is important to keep in mind that photographs taken on a grey, overcast, rainy day, fully express the dramatic history and landscape of the Scottish capital! The weather in a destination is a part of its charm and character.