Last updated: March 17, 2025
January in Lerwick, United Kingdom, offers a refreshing winter experience, characterized by temperatures that typically range from a maximum of 11°C (52°F) to a minimum of 2°C (35°F), settling at an average of 6°C (44°F). This chilly month features significant precipitation, with 96 mm (3.8 in) rain spread across 18 rainy days, contributing to the area's lush, green landscape. With a humidity level of 79%, residents and visitors alike can expect brisk, damp conditions that underscore the region’s robust maritime climate. Embrace the unique charm and beauty of Lerwick as it transforms into a winter wonderland this January.
In Lerwick, United Kingdom, January temperatures reveal a mild winter climate, with minimums dipping to 2°C (35°F) and averages hovering around 6°C (44°F). This month typically peaks at around 11°C (52°F), presenting a relatively moderate start to the year. As the winter transitions into February and March, temperatures experience a slight decline, particularly with March recording minimums plummeting to -2°C (29°F), hinting at the arrival of colder days. However, the overall average remains consistent at 6°C (43°F) across these months, suggesting that while occasional chills are felt, the winter remains forgiving. By April, Lerwick begins to welcome milder conditions once again, as temperatures gradually rise, setting the stage for the warmer months ahead.
January in Lerwick, United Kingdom, sets the tone for the wetter months ahead, with precipitation reaching 96 mm (3.8 in) over approximately 18 days of rain. This marks a consistent start to the year, pairing with February's slight increase to 97 mm (3.8 in) while maintaining a similar number of rainy days. As the winter progresses into March, precipitation climbs further to 103 mm (4.1 in), heralding one of the wettest months, suggesting a pattern of increasing moisture leading into spring. In stark contrast, rainfall dramatically decreases in April and May, where average precipitation drops to 51 mm (2.0 in) and 47 mm (1.8 in) respectively, signaling a brief respite before the wetter months resume in late summer. The overall trend illustrates Lerwick's distinctive maritime climate, with moisture-heavy winter months paving the way for drier, yet still variable, late spring and summer periods.
In January, Lerwick experiences a substantial humidity level of 79%, which sets the tone for a damp winter. This figure remains consistent into February, but begins to rise slightly in March, reaching 81%. As spring approaches, humidity gradually increases, peaking at 82% in April and climbing further to 84% by May and June. The summer months see a significant spike, with July hitting a high of 89%, making it the most humid month of the year. Although humidity slightly declines in August to 87%, it maintains this level through September, October, and November. Finally, December brings a dip back to 78%, wrapping up the year with a reprieve from the otherwise elevated moisture levels. Overall, Lerwick's humidity trend underscores an escalation during summer, while winter and early spring showcase more moderate conditions.
In January, Lerwick experiences a low UV Index of 1, indicating minimal risk from sun exposure, with a burn time of 45 minutes for fair-skinned individuals. This trend of low UV levels persists into February, maintaining the same index and burn time. As the seasons transition into March, the UV Index slightly increases to 2, still within the low exposure category, while burn time remains constant at 45 minutes. The spring months bring a noticeable uptick in UV intensity, particularly in April and May, as the index climbs to 4 and 5, respectively, signaling a shift to moderate exposure levels and reducing safe sun exposure to 30 minutes. As summer arrives, the UV Index peaks in June at 7, reflecting high sunlight intensity, demanding even shorter burn times of 25 minutes. This high exposure persists into July before tapering off in August and September as the index returns to moderate levels. As autumn approaches, the UV Index drops back to low levels in the following months, returning to 1 in November and December, rounding out the year with the same cautious approach to sun exposure as seen in January. Embrace the unique patterns of sunlight in Lerwick throughout the year to enjoy the outdoors safely. For more details on the monthly UV Index trends, check out Lerwick UV Index.
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In Lerwick, United Kingdom, January greets residents with a modest 50 hours of sunshine, setting a stark contrast against the more radiant months that follow. As winter gives way to spring, February sees a significant uptick to 127 hours, hinting at the brighter days ahead. By March, sunlight nearly triples to 192 hours, paving the way for April’s remarkable 335 hours. This trend continues, peaking in the summer months, where July shines brightest with an impressive 430 hours. However, as the year winds down, the sunshine gradually retreats, falling to 89 hours in November and dwindling to just 58 hours in December. Such a pattern highlights Lerwick’s seasonal warmth, providing a vibrant reminder of the fleeting nature of sunlight during the colder months.
In January, Lerwick offers a 32% chance of enjoying some sunny moments, making it one of the more promising months for sunshine during the year. Notably, this slight uptick in sunny days is almost on par with February's 33%, creating a brief window of brighter days before the weather takes a notable turn. As spring approaches, the likelihood of sun dips significantly with only 18% in March, highlighting a contrasting trend where winter months occasionally deliver glimpses of sunlight while the onset of spring may feel more overcast. This fluctuation suggests that while January is not a sun-seeker's paradise, its potential for sunny spells provides a refreshing optimism as the new year begins.
In January, Lerwick experiences a mere 6 hours of daylight, inviting the embrace of winter's long nights. As the month transitions into February, the days gradually lengthen to 9 hours, hinting at the coming spring. By March, the daylight extends to 11 hours, and with April's arrival, it blossoms into 14 hours, energizing the landscape as nature begins to awaken. The progression continues into May, where the sun gifts 17 hours of daylight, peaking in June at a remarkable 18 hours, illuminating this northern gem nearly around the clock. However, the trend begins to reverse in July, bringing 17 hours once again, before tapering into 15 hours in August. As autumn approaches, daylight diminishes steadily, offering 12 hours in September and dropping to 10 hours in October. November and December see Lerwick return to its winter rhythms, with daylight dwindling to 7 hours and a stark 5 hours, reminding us of the cyclical dance between light and darkness throughout the year.
January brings average wind speeds of 8.8 m/s (20 mph) in Lerwick, setting the tone for the winter months. While this is a strong start to the year, February ups the ante with gusts averaging 10.1 m/s (23 mph), marking it as the windiest month of the first quarter. As spring approaches, March sees a slight dip to 9.3 m/s (21 mph) before dropping further in April to 8.7 m/s (19 mph), hinting at a gentle transition. The winds ease considerably by May and June, holding steady at 6.4 m/s (14 mph), while the summer months show a notable decline, with July and August experiencing their calmest periods at 5.3 m/s (12 mph) and 5.9 m/s (13 mph), respectively. As autumn sets in, the breeze picks up again in September with a moderate 7.6 m/s (17 mph), followed by a notable surge in November, peaking at 10.7 m/s (24 mph), just before the year concludes with a robust 9.2 m/s (21 mph) in December. Overall, Lerwick’s wind patterns illustrate a fascinating interplay between seasonal changes, with January kicking off a dynamic cycle of breezy highs and lows.
The weather in Lerwick changes throughout the year, offering a unique experience in each season. Below is a month-by-month comparison of January's weather with other months, highlighting differences in temperature, precipitation, and other key factors. Click on each section to discover seasonal trends in Lerwick and find detailed weather information for every month.
January and February exhibit similar weather patterns, but there are some notable differences. In January, the minimum temperature averages at 2°C (35°F), while February sees a slight decrease to 0°C (33°F). The average temperatures remain consistent between the two months, both hovering around 6°C (44°F) for January and 6°C (43°F) for February. Precipitation levels are comparable, with January receiving 96 mm (3.8 in) over 18 days and February slightly edging out with 97 mm (3.8 in) over 19 days. Humidity stays consistent at 79% throughout both months, making the overall feel quite similar. For more specific insights, you can check out Lerwick weather in February.
In comparing the weather between January and March, we see some notable differences. January typically has a mild temperature range from a minimum of 2°C (35°F) to a maximum of 11°C (52°F), with an average of 6°C (44°F). The month experiences 96 mm (3.8 in) of precipitation over 18 days, paired with a humidity level of 79%.
March, on the other hand, introduces slightly cooler minimum temperatures, dipping to -2°C (29°F), while maintaining the same average of 6°C (43°F) and a maximum of 9°C (49°F). Precipitation increases to 103 mm (4.1 in), falling across 20 days, and humidity rises marginally to 81%.
For more detailed insights, you can visit Lerwick weather in March.
In January, the weather is characterized by a chilly average temperature of 6°C (44°F), with maximum highs reaching 11°C (52°F) and lows dropping to 2°C (35°F). This month experiences considerable precipitation, with 96 mm (3.8 in) falling across 18 days, and a humidity level of 79%. In contrast, April sees a slightly lower average temperature of 6°C (44°F) as well, but with min temperatures dipping to 0°C (31°F) and a maximum of 10°C (51°F). The precipitation is also less, totaling 51 mm (2.0 in) over 13 days, and humidity nudges up to 82%. For a more detailed look at Lerwick's weather in April, check out Lerwick weather in April.
In January, the weather is typically colder with average temperatures ranging from a minimum of 2°C (35°F) to a maximum of 11°C (52°F). This month experiences significant precipitation, totaling 96 mm (3.8 in) over 18 days, and a humidity level of 79%. In contrast, May brings slightly warmer temperatures, with average lows at 2°C (36°F) and highs reaching 12°C (54°F). Precipitation decreases to 47 mm (1.8 in) across 13 days, while humidity rises slightly to 84%. For more detailed insights, you can check Lerwick weather in May.
In January, the weather tends to be quite chilly, with average temperatures ranging from a minimum of 2°C (35°F) to a maximum of 11°C (52°F). The month is characterized by significant precipitation, with 96 mm (3.8 in) falling over 18 days and humidity levels around 79%. In contrast, June brings milder temperatures, with averages from 6°C (44°F) to 14°C (58°F). Rainfall is reduced to 53 mm (2.1 in) over 12 days, although humidity rises slightly to 84%. For a detailed overview of the conditions, you can check out Lerwick weather in June.
In January, the weather is notably cooler, with average temperatures ranging from a low of 2°C (35°F) to a high of 11°C (52°F), accompanied by substantial precipitation of 96 mm (3.8 in) over 18 days and humidity levels at 79%. In contrast, July offers a milder climate with temperatures that vary from a minimum of 8°C (48°F) to a maximum of 17°C (63°F). Precipitation decreases to 69 mm (2.7 in) across 12 days, and humidity rises slightly to 89%. These differences highlight the temperate shift from winter to summer, offering a much drier and warmer experience in July compared to the damp, chilly days of January. For more details on July weather, visit Lerwick weather in July.
In January, the weather is significantly cooler, with average temperatures ranging from a minimum of 2°C (35°F) to a maximum of 11°C (52°F). The month is characterized by higher precipitation, totaling 96 mm (3.8 in) over approximately 18 days, coupled with a humidity level of 79%. In contrast, August experiences milder temperatures, with averages between 10°C (50°F) and 15°C (60°F). Although it remains relatively humid at 87%, the total precipitation drops to 74 mm (2.9 in) over about 15 days. For those interested in comparing the weather patterns further, Lerwick weather in August provides additional insights.
January and September present distinct contrasts in weather characteristics. In January, temperatures range from a chilly minimum of 2°C (35°F) to a mild maximum of 11°C (52°F), accompanied by significant precipitation of 96 mm (3.8 in) over 18 days, and a humidity level of 79%. In comparison, September experiences slightly warmer conditions with minimum temperatures of 8°C (46°F) and maximum temperatures reaching 15°C (59°F). This month sees an increase in precipitation to 115 mm (4.5 in) over the same number of days, and humidity rises to 87%, creating a more humid atmosphere. For more detailed insights on the September weather specifically, check out Lerwick weather in September.
In comparing the weather between January and October, January tends to be colder with average temperatures ranging from a minimum of 2°C (35°F) to a maximum of 11°C (52°F). The month sees significant precipitation, totaling 96 mm (3.8 in) over approximately 18 days and a humidity level of 79%. In contrast, October experiences milder temperatures, with an average low of 5°C (42°F) and a high of 14°C (57°F). However, it is also wetter, receiving 146 mm (5.8 in) of rain across 23 days, coupled with increased humidity at 87%. For more detailed insights into October weather, check out Lerwick weather in October.
When comparing the weather in January to that of November, January tends to be slightly cooler, with average temperatures ranging from a minimum of 2°C (35°F) to a maximum of 11°C (52°F). In contrast, November boasts a slightly milder average, with temperatures varying from a minimum of 3°C (38°F) to a maximum of 12°C (54°F). Precipitation levels are also higher in November, totaling 133 mm (5.2 in) over 23 days, compared to January's 96 mm (3.8 in) over 18 days. Notably, humidity is elevated in both months, with November reaching 85% compared to January's 79%. For more detailed insights, you can check Lerwick weather in November.
In comparing the weather between January and December, both months exhibit relatively mild temperatures, with average highs peaking at 11°C (52°F). January tends to be slightly cooler, with an average temperature of 6°C (44°F) compared to December's 7°C (45°F). Precipitation levels are notably higher in December, reaching 137 mm (5.4 in) across 25 days, while January sees 96 mm (3.8 in) over 18 days. The humidity remains similar, with January at 79% and December at 78%. For a closer look at December's conditions, you can visit Lerwick weather in December.
As January settles over Lerwick, it brings with it cooler temperatures and a higher likelihood of rain compared to other months. The average chill of 6°C makes it one of the coldest months, with frequent precipitation affecting the already humid atmosphere, which hovers around 79%. While the scenic beauty of Lerwick remains undiminished, visitors should prepare for a wetter experience, as this month sees about 18 days of rain, making it the peak of the winter season. For more detailed insights, check out the full Lerwick Climate.