Scotland: rainfall by month 2023 | Statista (2024)

FAQs

What months are rainiest in Scotland? ›

In Glasgow, one of the U.K.'s rainiest cities, average monthly rainfall during the wettest months—between September and January—is about 21 inches, and the daily chance of rain hovers around 50 percent.

2023 was relatively wet with 1,290mm of rainfall, making it the UK's 11th wettest year in a series going back to 1836. The few wintery cold spells of the year were relatively short-lived. 2023-24 has seen the most active start to the storm season since naming storms began in 2015.

Scotland is the coldest part of the UK throughout the year, and has average minimum temperatures of just -0.2^oC during the winter. It is also the wettest place every month of the year except May, June and December, and almost always the cloudiest too.

Wind direction

Most of the wind in Scotland come from the west, known as westerly winds or westerlies. Westerlies bring warm moist air from over the North Atlantic Ocean. Warm wet air is perfect for forming clouds - meaning more rain! That's why the west coast of Scotland is often rainier than the east coast.

June, July and August are normally the warmest months in Scotland, with average maximum temperatures around 17°C (or 63 °F). Scotland's high latitude means that we enjoy lovely long summer days and often an extended twilight.

To have the most sunlight and best weather, many people head to the Scottish Highlands in the summer, between May and September. Starting in October, the weather can be unpredictable — freezing temperatures, gale-force winds, and snowfall are all possible.

Ayr comes in at number one with a total of 14602.86mm of rainfall, while Edinburgh closely follows in second with 14601.33mm. Glasgow and Perth follow behind with 13519.97mm and 13206.28m of rainfall respectivly, while Cardiff rounds out the top five with 12457.21mm.

Rainfall. Rainfall totals vary widely across Scotland— the western highlands of Scotland is one of the wettest places in Europe with annual rainfall up to 4,577 mm (180.2 in).

That year the country recorded approximately 1,863 mm of rain. On average, Scotland receives the highest annual volume of rain in the United Kingdom. This is mostly due to its mountainous landscape in the north. Whilst it rains all year round in Scotland, the wettest periods are autumn and winter.

Which part of Scotland has the best weather? ›

Just south of Glasgow, the coastal town of Dunbar also boasts higher temperatures and lower rainfall than other parts of Scotland, and is even referred to by some as 'Sunny Dunny'. With picturesque beaches, eateries, and shops, Dunbar is enjoyed by many both local and non-local visitors during summer months.

This “rain shadow” is responsible for bringing drier weather to much of eastern Scotland. And as a result, Edinburgh receives only about half the rainfall of Glasgow.

The summer months, of June, July and August, are the most popular time to visit, but the best and driest weather is often found in April/May and September/October.

Rainfall. Rainfall totals vary widely across Scotland— the western highlands of Scotland is one of the wettest places in Europe with annual rainfall up to 4,577 mm (180.2 in).

June, July and August all tend to deliver the warmest temperatures and sunniest conditions in Scotland compared to the rest of the year, with temperatures typically ranging from 15-17°C.