When is the best time to go to Shetland
The chart above shows the best time of year to visit Shetland, 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 Shetland
Shetland weather by month
Please note our recommendations for when to visit Shetland 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 | 129mm | 0.9hrs | 8.6hrs | 8°C |
The weather in January in Shetland is characteristically cool and wet.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Shetland for your holidays. The weather is often pretty bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
January is in the winter in Shetland and is typically the coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cold 5°C (42°F), whilst at night 1°C (34°F) is normal.
On average January is the driest month of the year in Shetland with around 129mm 5.1 inches of rain making it a wet time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 26 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 0.9 hours of sunshine per day.
February
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5°C | 89mm | 2.2hrs | 10.6hrs | 8°C |
February in Shetland is generally a little damp with the temperature being cool.
Although outside the main holiday season, there is still plenty of fairly acceptable weather around this time of year. This makes it an okay time to visit Shetland.
February is in the winter in Shetland and is typically the 2nd coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cold 5°C (42°F), whilst at night 1°C (34°F) is normal.
On average February is the 2nd driest month of the year in Shetland with around 89mm 3.5 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 20 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 2.2 hours of sunshine per day.
Shetland weather in February »
March
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6°C | 110mm | 3.1hrs | 13.1hrs | 8°C |
The weather in March in Shetland is characteristically cool and damp.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Shetland for your holidays. The weather is often relatively bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
March is in the spring in Shetland and is typically the 3rd 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 March is the 3rd driest month of the year in Shetland with around 110mm 4.3 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 3.1 hours of sunshine per day.
April
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7°C | 70mm | 4.9hrs | 16.1hrs | 8°C |
Shetland's weather in April is typically cool and reasonably dry 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 Shetland.
April is in the spring in Shetland and is typically the 4th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 8°C (46°F), whilst at night 3°C (37°F) is normal.
On average April is the 4th driest month of the year in Shetland with around 70mm 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 4.9 hours of sunshine per day.
May
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9°C | 60mm | 5.4hrs | 19.3hrs | 9°C |
May is a reasonably dry month in Shetland and the temperature is generally cool.
It is perhaps a good month to visit Shetland, with some inordinately good weather at this time of year.
May is in the spring in Shetland and is typically the 5th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 10°C (51°F), whilst at night 5°C (42°F) is normal.
On average May is the 5th driest month of the year in Shetland with around 60mm 2.4 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 17 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 5.4 hours of sunshine per day.
June
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12°C | 59mm | 6hrs | 8.6hrs | 10°C |
June is a reasonably dry month in Shetland and the temperature is generally mild.
It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Shetland, with some inordinately good weather at this time of year.
June is in the summer in Shetland and is typically the 6th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 13°C (55°F), whilst at night 8°C (46°F) is normal.
On average June is the 6th driest month of the year in Shetland with around 59mm 2.3 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 hours of sunshine per day.
July
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13°C | 62mm | 4.7hrs | 10.6hrs | 12°C |
July in Shetland is generally reasonably dry with the temperature being mild.
It is perhaps a good month to visit Shetland, with some extremely good weather at this time of year.
July is in the summer in Shetland and is typically the 6th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 14°C (57°F), whilst at night 9°C (49°F) is normal.
On average July is the 6th wettest month of the year in Shetland with around 62mm 2.4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13°C | 77mm | 4.6hrs | 13.1hrs | 13°C |
The weather in August in Shetland is characteristically mild and reasonably dry.
It is perhaps a good month to visit Shetland, with some very good weather at this time of year.
August is in the summer in Shetland and is typically the 5th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 14°C (58°F), whilst at night 10°C (49°F) is normal.
On average August is the 5th wettest month of the year in Shetland with around 77mm 3 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 4.6 hours of sunshine per day.
September
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11°C | 115mm | 3.5hrs | 16.1hrs | 12°C |
Shetland's weather in September is typically mild and damp in nature.
Although outside the main holiday season, there is still plenty of pretty acceptable weather around this time of year. This makes it an okay time to visit Shetland.
September is in the fall / autumn in Shetland and is typically the 4th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 13°C (55°F), whilst at night 8°C (47°F) is normal.
On average September is the 4th wettest month of the year in Shetland with around 115mm 4.5 inches of rain making it a 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.
Shetland weather in September »
October
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9°C | 131mm | 2.3hrs | 19.3hrs | 11°C |
October is a wet month in Shetland and the temperature is generally cool.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Shetland for your holidays. The weather is often relatively bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
October is in the fall / autumn in Shetland and is typically the 3rd warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 10°C (51°F), whilst at night 6°C (44°F) is normal.
On average October is the 3rd wettest month of the year in Shetland with around 131mm 5.1 inches of rain making it a wet 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 2.3 hours of sunshine per day.
November
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7°C | 140mm | 1.3hrs | 8.6hrs | 10°C |
The climate in Shetland during November can be summarized as cool and wet.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Shetland for your holidays. The weather is often relatively bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
November is in the fall / autumn in Shetland and is typically the 2nd warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 7°C (45°F), whilst at night 3°C (38°F) is normal.
On average November is the 2nd wettest month of the year in Shetland with around 140mm 5.5 inches of rain making it a wet 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 1.3 hours of sunshine per day.
Shetland weather in November »
December
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5°C | 135mm | 0.6hrs | 10.6hrs | 9°C |
December in Shetland is generally wet with the temperature being cool.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Shetland for your holidays. The weather is often not a good and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
December is in the winter in Shetland and is typically the warmest 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 December is the wettest month of the year in Shetland with around 135mm 5.3 inches of rain making it a wet time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 26 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 0.6 hours of sunshine per day.
Other monthly averages
Shetland weather stats
| Hottest month: | August | 14.2°C 57.6°F |
|---|---|---|
| Driest month: | June | 59mm 2.3ins |
| Sunniest month: | April | 4.9hrs |
| Coldest month: | February | 5.2°C 41.4°F |
| Wettest month: | November | 140mm 5.5ins |
| Warmest sea: | August | 12.9°C 55.2°F |
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