WordPress fields (do not paste into the post body) Title: Edinburgh Weather by Month and What to Pack Slug: edinburgh-weather-by-month-what-to-pack Meta description: What is Edinburgh’s weather like each month? Typical temperatures, daylight, rain and wind, plus a practical packing list for every season. Category: Plan Your Trip Featured image alt: Visitors in waterproof jackets on a bright but windy day on Calton Hill Internal links: Edinburgh in the Rain · Three-Day Itinerary · Christmas and Hogmanay Verification required before publishing: The temperature figures below are rounded approximations. Confirm them against the Met Office long-term averages for Edinburgh/Gogarbank and adjust the table if needed.
Edinburgh Weather by Month and What to Pack
Edinburgh has a mild, changeable climate. Winters are cool rather than freezing, summers are rarely hot, and the weather can change within the hour. Wind is a regular feature. The big seasonal difference is daylight, which runs from roughly 17 hours in June to about seven hours around midwinter. This guide gives a month-by-month picture and a packing list for every season.
Last updated: October 2026. The temperatures below are rounded, typical figures, not forecasts. For the exact long-term averages, see the Met Office’s Edinburgh/Gogarbank climate page, linked at the end.
The short version
- Mild but changeable. Expect to wear layers at any time of year.
- Wind and showers can arrive on any day, including in summer.
- Cool summers. Highs are typically in the high teens °C in July and August.
- Short winter days. Daylight lasts only about seven hours around midwinter.
- Better in spring and early autumn if you want fewer crowds and easier prices, outside festival weeks.
Month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | about 7°C | about 1°C | Cold and short days; frost is possible; Christmas decorations come down |
| February | about 7°C | about 1°C | Still cold; days start to lengthen |
| March | about 9°C | about 2°C | Cool, changeable, a mix of sun and showers |
| April | about 12°C | about 3°C | Spring arrives; bright spells and showers |
| May | about 14°C | about 6°C | One of the pleasant months; long evenings begin |
| June | about 17°C | about 9°C | Very long days, with light into the late evening |
| July | about 19°C | about 11°C | Warmest month; still mild rather than hot |
| August | about 18°C | about 11°C | Warm but showery; the festival month, so very busy |
| September | about 16°C | about 9°C | Often settled; fewer crowds after the festivals |
| October | about 12°C | about 6°C | Autumn colour; days shorten quickly |
| November | about 9°C | about 3°C | Cold and dark early; Christmas markets start mid-month |
| December | about 7°C | about 2°C | Short days; festive events and Hogmanay |
These are typical daytime highs and night-time lows. Individual days can be several degrees warmer or colder.
Daylight
Edinburgh’s northern latitude makes a big difference to your day:
- Around the June solstice: roughly 17 hours of daylight, with a long twilight.
- Around the December solstice: only about seven hours, with sunrise in the late morning and sunset in the mid-afternoon.
In winter, do your outdoor sightseeing around midday and keep museums and indoor attractions for the afternoon and evening.
Rain and wind
Edinburgh is on the east coast and is generally drier than western Scotland, but showers are possible all year round. Wind is common, particularly on the Royal Mile, the Mound, Calton Hill, and Arthur’s Seat. A windproof, waterproof jacket is more useful than an umbrella, which can be hard to use in gusts. See Edinburgh in the Rain for indoor plans.
What to pack
All year
- A waterproof, windproof jacket
- Comfortable shoes with good grip, since the Old Town is steep and cobbled
- Layers you can add or remove (T-shirt, jumper, fleece)
- A small day bag
- A phone charger and a UK plug adaptor, if you need one
Winter (November to February)
- A warm coat, hat, scarf, and gloves
- Waterproof shoes or boots
- Thermal layers if you will be outside for long, for example at Hogmanay or the Christmas market. See Christmas and Hogmanay in Edinburgh.
Spring (March to May)
- A light jacket plus a warm layer
- Waterproof shoes
- A hat for windy days on the hills
Summer (June to August)
- A light waterproof jacket, even if it is sunny
- Sunscreen and sunglasses, since long days mean a lot of sun exposure
- A warm layer for evenings, which can be cool
Autumn (September to October)
- A medium-weight jacket
- Waterproof shoes
- Layers for a mix of mild afternoons and cold mornings
When is the best time to visit?
- For good weather and long days: late May to September.
- For fewer crowds and lower prices: April, May, and September to October, outside school holidays.
- For atmosphere in winter: late November to early January, with the Christmas markets and Hogmanay.
- For the festivals: August is the busiest and most expensive month. See our festival planning guide.
Related guides
- Edinburgh in the Rain: The Best Indoor Things to Do
- Edinburgh in 3 Days
- Christmas and Hogmanay in Edinburgh
Sources and official links
- Met Office, Edinburgh/Gogarbank long-term averages: https://metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcvw5vmsn
- Check the daily forecast with the Met Office before you travel.