Located on the island of Great Britain and washed by seas on three sides, Scotland has a humid temperate oceanic climate. It is considerably cooler than the more southerly regions of the UK. Precipitation is most intense in summer and fall, and it is also unevenly distributed: the southern regions and the coast receive less rainfall than the north and the mountains. Southwesterly winds often cause severe storms. The warm Gulf Stream, which passes north of Scotland, makes Scotland’s climate much milder, but the highlands and inland areas have lower average daily temperatures. Summers are rainy and not too warm, while winters are cool and wet in the south, and even sub-zero temperatures in the north.
Spring
Early spring is cooler in the north of the island of Britain, although daytime temperatures do rise. The weather remains very capricious and you can see almost all the seasons during the day. On the coast in southern Scotland, rainfall becomes less and less compared to the winter months, but in the north-east of the country heavy snowfall is not uncommon even in early April. Recent years have been particularly noteworthy in terms of late snowfalls, as nature has started to deliver such surprises more frequently. Temperatures continue to rise reluctantly in April.
The second half of spring on the coast is the driest time of the year. At the same time, primroses and daffodils begin to bloom, and the first leaves begin to appear on the trees. The air warms up to +10 degrees during the day.
Summer
Scottish summer even by our standards is considered cooler. When July or August comes, even in the hottest days the air here is not warmer than +23 degrees Celsius. In addition, frequent rains, especially in the west of the country, often lead to cold weather, so it is better to travel there with a jacket or sweater in your luggage. There is a big difference between day and night temperatures – after sunset the air cools down by 7-9 degrees. In mid-summer, the meadows and heathlands are covered with the cherry and pink haze of blooming heather, and the air is filled with its aroma. But enjoy the mountain nature here at temperatures no higher than +15 degrees Celsius.
Autumn
In September, the temperature regime is almost the same as in May, except for precipitation, which is quite abundant in the western regions of the country. For example, in Glasgow there are daily rains with thunderstorms, which, however, stop quite quickly. It is much nicer in Cardiff, where it is more often possible to walk without an umbrella. The average daily temperature in September fluctuates around +15 degrees Celsius. But in October the weather deteriorates sharply – the sky is constantly covered with low rain clouds, which more and more often pour down prolonged rain. The humidity is very high and strong winds and fogs are common on the coast at this time. In November, the first snow falls in the mountainous areas and temperatures sometimes fall below freezing. Severe storms are not uncommon in the south of the country. Although the air warms up to +8 degrees Celsius during the day, even this temperature is uncomfortable due to winds and dampness.
Winter
Since Scotland’s climate is determined by moist and warm Atlantic air currents, local winters are much milder than in the regions of Russia or Norway located at the same latitude. But compared to other parts of the UK, Scottish average daily winter temperatures are the lowest. The north and center of the country are much colder than the coast. It is slightly warmer in the west than in the east as colder air masses from the North Sea arrive. The air in the south of Scotland warms up to +4-6 degrees Celsius during the day, but at night it can freeze to -1 degrees Celsius. The weather is usually rainy and windy, often with wet snow. Significant cold spells are likely, although temperatures do not drop below -6 degrees Celsius. But in northeastern cities and in the mountains, frosts can get as low as minus 8-10 degrees Celsius. Snow cover remains stable throughout the winter, and avalanches are possible in the mountains. It can be relatively cold in the center of the country, but with less winds and vagaries of weather.