When is the best time to go to Orkney
The chart above shows the best time of year to visit Orkney, United Kingdom. These are based on an analysis of weather averages such as temperature, rainfall and number of hours of sunshine. These ratings are based solely on the climate and do not take into account other factors such as accommodation prices and how busy it is likely to be.
Average temperatures in Orkney
Orkney weather by month
Please note our recommendations for when to visit Orkney are based solely on the weather and do not take into accounts accommodation prices, how busy it will be and what events are on.
January
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5°C | 102mm | 1.2hrs | 8.8hrs | 8°C |
January in Orkney is generally damp with the temperature being cool.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Orkney for your holidays. The weather is often not a good and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
January is in the winter in Orkney and is typically the coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cold 6°C (43°F), whilst at night 2°C (35°F) is normal.
On average January is the driest month of the year in Orkney with around 102mm 4 inches of rain making it a damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 25 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 1.2 hours of sunshine per day.
February
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5°C | 71mm | 2.6hrs | 10.7hrs | 7°C |
February in Orkney is generally reasonably dry with the temperature being cool.
Although outside the main holiday season, there is still plenty of reasonably acceptable weather around this time of year. This makes it an okay time to visit Orkney.
February is in the winter in Orkney and is typically the 2nd coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cold 6°C (43°F), whilst at night 1°C (35°F) is normal.
On average February is the 2nd driest month of the year in Orkney with around 71mm 2.8 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 19 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 2.6 hours of sunshine per day.
March
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6°C | 81mm | 3.5hrs | 13.1hrs | 7°C |
The weather in March in Orkney is characteristically cool and a little damp.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Orkney for your holidays. The weather is often not a good and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
March is in the spring in Orkney and is typically the 3rd coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cold 7°C (45°F), whilst at night 2°C (36°F) is normal.
On average March is the 3rd driest month of the year in Orkney with around 81mm 3.2 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 22 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 3.5 hours of sunshine per day.
April
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8°C | 55mm | 5hrs | 15.9hrs | 7°C |
Orkney's weather in April is typically cool and reasonably dry in nature.
Although outside the main holiday season, there is still plenty of quite acceptable weather around this time of year. This makes it an okay time to visit Orkney.
April is in the spring in Orkney and is typically the 4th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 9°C (48°F), whilst at night 3°C (38°F) is normal.
On average April is the 4th driest month of the year in Orkney with around 55mm 2.2 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 18 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 5 hours of sunshine per day.
May
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10°C | 49mm | 5.9hrs | 18.8hrs | 9°C |
May is a reasonably dry month in Orkney and the temperature is generally cool.
It is perhaps a good month to visit Orkney, with some surprisingly good weather at this time of year.
May is in the spring in Orkney and is typically the 5th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 12°C (53°F), whilst at night 6°C (42°F) is normal.
On average May is the 5th driest month of the year in Orkney with around 49mm 1.9 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 16 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 5.9 hours of sunshine per day.
June
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13°C | 51mm | 6.1hrs | 8.8hrs | 11°C |
The climate in Orkney during June can be summarized as mild and reasonably dry.
It is perhaps a good month to visit Orkney, with some surprisingly good weather at this time of year.
June is in the summer in Orkney and is typically the 6th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 14°C (58°F), whilst at night 8°C (47°F) is normal.
On average June is the 6th driest month of the year in Orkney with around 51mm 2 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 16 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 6.1 hours of sunshine per day.
July
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14°C | 55mm | 4.7hrs | 10.7hrs | 13°C |
July in Orkney is generally reasonably dry with the temperature being mild.
It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Orkney, with some surprisingly good weather at this time of year.
July is in the summer in Orkney and is typically the 6th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 15°C (59°F), whilst at night 10°C (49°F) is normal.
On average July is the 6th wettest month of the year in Orkney with around 55mm 2.2 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 18 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 4.7 hours of sunshine per day.
August
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14°C | 77mm | 4.7hrs | 13.1hrs | 13°C |
The weather in August in Orkney is characteristically mild and reasonably dry.
It is perhaps a good month to visit Orkney, with some particularly good weather at this time of year.
August is in the summer in Orkney and is typically the 5th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 15°C (60°F), whilst at night 10°C (50°F) is normal.
On average August is the 5th wettest month of the year in Orkney with around 77mm 3 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 19 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 4.7 hours of sunshine per day.
September
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12°C | 99mm | 3.6hrs | 15.9hrs | 13°C |
Orkney's weather in September is typically mild and a little damp in nature.
Although outside the main holiday season, there is still plenty of reasonably acceptable weather around this time of year. This makes it an okay time to visit Orkney.
September is in the fall / autumn in Orkney and is typically the 4th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 14°C (57°F), whilst at night 8°C (47°F) is normal.
On average September is the 4th wettest month of the year in Orkney with around 99mm 3.9 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 22 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 3.6 hours of sunshine per day.
October
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10°C | 111mm | 2.8hrs | 18.8hrs | 12°C |
October is a damp month in Orkney and the temperature is generally cool.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Orkney for your holidays. The weather is often pretty bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
October is in the fall / autumn in Orkney and is typically the 3rd warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 12°C (53°F), whilst at night 7°C (44°F) is normal.
On average October is the 3rd wettest month of the year in Orkney with around 111mm 4.4 inches of rain making it a damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 23 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 2.8 hours of sunshine per day.
November
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7°C | 119mm | 1.5hrs | 8.8hrs | 11°C |
Cool and damp weather often prevails in Orkney during the month of November
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Orkney for your holidays. The weather is often pretty bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
November is in the fall / autumn in Orkney and is typically the 2nd warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 8°C (47°F), whilst at night 4°C (38°F) is normal.
On average November is the 2nd wettest month of the year in Orkney with around 119mm 4.7 inches of rain making it a damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 24 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 1.5 hours of sunshine per day.
December
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6°C | 109mm | 0.9hrs | 10.7hrs | 9°C |
December in Orkney is generally damp with the temperature being cool.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Orkney for your holidays. The weather is often not a good and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
December is in the winter in Orkney and is typically the warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cold 7°C (44°F), whilst at night 2°C (36°F) is normal.
On average December is the wettest month of the year in Orkney with around 109mm 4.3 inches of rain making it a damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 25 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 0.9 hours of sunshine per day.
Other monthly averages
Orkney weather stats
| Hottest month: | August | 15.3°C 59.5°F |
|---|---|---|
| Driest month: | May | 49mm 1.9ins |
| Sunniest month: | April | 5hrs |
| Coldest month: | February | 5.9°C 42.6°F |
| Wettest month: | November | 119mm 4.7ins |
| Warmest sea: | August | 13.4°C 56.1°F |
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