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Monthly climate in Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom

Last updated: March 2, 2024

Under the Köppen–Geiger climate classification Kirkwall features a oceanic climate (Cfb). Temperatures typically range between 6 °C (43 °F) and 13 °C (56 °F) through the year, but rarely can drop to -1 °C (31 °F) or can rise to as high as 17 °C (63 °F). The average annual precipitation amounts to about 1132 mm (44.6 inches) and receives 206 rainy days on the 1 mm (0.04 inches) threshold annually. Kirkwall enjoys an average of 3034 hours of sunshine throughout the year, and daylight varies from 6 hours 17 minutes to 18 hours 20 minutes per day.

Monthly average temperatures in Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom §

The warmest months in Kirkwall are July, August and September, with daily mean temperatures ranging from 12 to 13 °C (54 - 56 °F) throughout the day. The coldest temperatures usually occur in January, February and March, when daily mean temperatures range from 6 to 6 °C (43 - 44 °F) throughout the day. On average each year, Kirkwall experiences 0 days above 25 °C (77.0 °F) and 0 days below 0 °C (32.0 °F).

Monthly average temperatures with daily means, minimums and maximums for period, average high and low temperatures in Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom. Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Data for period from January 2017 to June 2022.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum 12°C
(53°F)		 11°C
(51°F)		 10°C
(50°F)		 11°C
(53°F)		 13°C
(56°F)		 14°C
(58°F)		 17°C
(63°F)		 16°C
(61°F)		 16°C
(61°F)		 15°C
(59°F)		 13°C
(56°F)		 11°C
(52°F)
Mean maximum 10°C
(50°F)		 9°C
(49°F)		 9°C
(49°F)		 10°C
(50°F)		 11°C
(53°F)		 13°C
(56°F)		 15°C
(60°F)		 15°C
(60°F)		 15°C
(59°F)		 14°C
(57°F)		 12°C
(55°F)		 11°C
(52°F)
Average high 7°C
(46°F)		 7°C
(45°F)		 7°C
(45°F)		 7°C
(45°F)		 9°C
(48°F)		 11°C
(52°F)		 13°C
(55°F)		 14°C
(57°F)		 13°C
(56°F)		 12°C
(53°F)		 10°C
(50°F)		 8°C
(47°F)
Daily mean 6°C
(44°F)		 6°C
(43°F)		 6°C
(43°F)		 7°C
(44°F)		 8°C
(47°F)		 11°C
(51°F)		 12°C
(54°F)		 13°C
(56°F)		 12°C
(54°F)		 11°C
(51°F)		 9°C
(48°F)		 7°C
(45°F)
Average low 6°C
(42°F)		 5°C
(41°F)		 5°C
(42°F)		 6°C
(43°F)		 8°C
(46°F)		 10°C
(50°F)		 12°C
(53°F)		 12°C
(55°F)		 12°C
(53°F)		 10°C
(50°F)		 8°C
(46°F)		 7°C
(44°F)
Mean minimum 3°C
(37°F)		 2°C
(35°F)		 3°C
(37°F)		 3°C
(37°F)		 5°C
(41°F)		 8°C
(47°F)		 10°C
(50°F)		 11°C
(52°F)		 9°C
(49°F)		 7°C
(44°F)		 5°C
(40°F)		 4°C
(39°F)
Minimum 2°C
(36°F)		 0°C
(33°F)		 -1°C
(31°F)		 0°C
(32°F)		 3°C
(37°F)		 7°C
(45°F)		 9°C
(49°F)		 10°C
(51°F)		 9°C
(48°F)		 5°C
(42°F)		 3°C
(38°F)		 3°C
(37°F)

Compare climate in Kirkwall with other places

Compare temperature, precipitation, sunshine, UV index in Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom with other places around the world.

Monthly average precipitation in Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom §

Kirkwall usually has the most precipitation in September, October and November, with an average of 22 rainy days and 141 mm (5.6 inches) of precipitation per month. The driest months in Kirkwall are April, May and June. On average, 54 mm (2.1 inches) of precipitation falls during these months.

Monthly average precipitation and precipitation days in Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom. Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Data for period from January 2017 to January 2022.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average precipitation mm (inches) 91 (3.6) 99 (3.9) 104 (4.1) 51 (2.0) 55 (2.2) 55 (2.2) 70 (2.8) 72 (2.8) 125 (4.9) 163 (6.4) 136 (5.4) 111 (4.4)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 16 18 20 12 13 11 13 15 19 25 23 21

Monthly sunshine hours in Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom §

The sunniest months in Kirkwall are May, June and July, when the sun shines an average of 13 hours 33 minutes a day. Least sunny months in Kirkwall: January, November and December receive an average of 2 hours 25 minutes of sunshine daily.

Mean monthly sunshine duration, average sunshine hours per day and mean daily daylight hours in Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information. Data for period from January 2017 to January 2022.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Mean monthly sunshine hours 54 141 204 337 406 428 412 384 287 208 94 74
Mean daily daylight hours 7h 3m 9h 16m 11h 52m 14h 31m 16h 57m 18h 20m 17h 35m 15h 20m 12h 45m 10h 8m 7h 41m 6h 17m

Solar UV radiation in Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom §

Kirkwall experiences the highest level of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in June, July and August, when the maximum UV index can reach values of 5 - 7, which corresponds to the Moderate / High category of sun exposure. January, February and November are in the Low exposure category. In these months, the maximum values of the UV index do not exceed 1. For more detailed information, check out our hourly Kirkwall UV Index data.

Average daily maximum UV levels by month for Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information. Data for period from January 2022 to January 2023.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
UV Index (month maximum) 1 1 3 4 5 7 7 5 4 3 1 1

Detailed Monthly Weather Insights for Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom

Discover in-depth weather details for every month in Kirkwall. Click through the links below for comprehensive overviews of temperature trends, precipitation levels, sunshine hours, and solar UV radiation specifics. Whether planning a visit or simply curious about Kirkwall's climate nuances, these monthly breakdowns provide the information you need for an informed understanding of what to expect throughout the year.

Each link leads to a detailed account of the typical weather conditions for that month, providing both locals and tourists with vital information to plan their daily activities, wardrobe, and travel itineraries accordingly.