The climate of the Hebrides island archipelago (Scotland)
The Hebrides form a large island archipelago off the west coast of
Scotland. The archipelago consists of approximately 500 islands of
which 100 are inhabited. Lewis and Harris is one of the largest
inhabited islands with a population of almost 20.000 residents. The
Hebrides can be divided into the Inner-Hebrides and the
Outer-Hebrides. The Little Minch, a strait, forms the borderline
between these two groups of islands. Most of the islands can be
reached by ferry. Most of the islands are connected with each other by
ferry lines. Hebrides’ moderate sea climate is dominated by a slow
cooling effect of the Gulf. Despite its northern location winters are
seldom cold on the coast and summers are seldom warm. Wind and rain
are abundant here. May is the driest month with about 17 rainy days.
December is the wettest month with about 25 rainy days. During the
month of January the wind usually picks up. The larger islands and the
Highlands are influenced to a smaller degree by the effects of the
Gulf Stream. During the summer as well as the winter nights can be
cold after a bright day. Subzero temperatures are not uncommon then.
The climate also is influenced by the height of the mountains. The
highest summits have an Arctic climate.
Climate information
The figures below are based on long term weather and climate records.
They are an average for the Hebrides: Local deviations may occur
average maximum
temperature (°C)
average
minimum
temperature (°C)
average
hours of sunshine
per day
average days with
precipitation
per month
average
mm precipitation
per month
average
sea
temperature (°C)
January
4
-1
1
25
8
February
5
-1
2
20
7
March
6
0
3
21
7
April
10
1
4
19
8
May
13
4
5
19
10
June
16
7
5
19
12
July
16
8
4
21
14
August
16
8
4
21
15
September
14
7
3
24
14
October
11
5
2
25
13
November
7
1
1
24
12
December
5
0
1
26
10
= 0-5 mm ●
= 6-30 mm ●
= 31-60 mm ●
= 61-100 mm ●
= 101-200 mm ●
=
over 200 mm = 0-0.2 inches ● = 0.2-1.2 inches ● = 1.2-2.4 inches ● = 2.5-4 inches ● = 4.1-8 inches ● = over 8 inches
More climate information
Climate figures are very useful but don’t present a general impression
of the climate and the eventual weather circumstances within a certain
period. The figures don’t always reflect the chance of wintry weather,
extreme heat or hurricanes. That is why we offer useful extra climate
information for each month of the year:
Disclaimer
The information at this site was carefully composed from climate data collected by meteorological services, meteorological offices, climate experts and other sources. “More climate info” is based on statistics, climate data and personal experience. No rights can be derived from this site. Weather has no memory and gives no guaranties. Nothing is as changeable and unpredictable as the weather. The authors of this site feel in no way responsible for any damages caused by misinterpretation or other circumstances that may influence your holiday or trip to a certain destination. We provide information, it’s up to the reader to use it to it’s benefit.
this site in Dutch
= 0-5 mm ●
= 6-30 mm ●
= 31-60 mm ●
= 61-100 mm ●
= 101-200 mm ●
=
over 200 mm
