The best times to visit Lerwick for ideal weather are
May 28th to July 1st
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Lerwick Travel Guide
Other Lerwick Travel Info
Weather in Lerwick
Temperature
Average temperatures in Lerwick vary somewhat. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold all year with a chance of rain or snow throughout most of the year. The area is far less temperate than some — in the bottom 1 percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Lerwick, the hottest months are August, July, and then September. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally late July where highs are regularly around 59.3°F (15.2°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 47°F (8.3°C) at night.
Lerwick Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Lerwick Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Lerwick Perceived Temperature (F)
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Lerwick Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Lerwick Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42.5 | 39.6 | 34.3 |
| Feb | 42.5 | 39.6 | 34 |
| Mar | 44.4 | 40.8 | 34 |
| Apr | 47.5 | 43.2 | 36.5 |
| May | 50.7 | 46.1 | 38.1 |
| Jun | 54.4 | 50.1 | 43.2 |
| Jul | 57.7 | 53.6 | 45.9 |
| Aug | 58.2 | 54.2 | 46.2 |
| Sep | 55.2 | 51.6 | 44.3 |
| Oct | 50.9 | 47.7 | 40.2 |
| Nov | 46.6 | 43.8 | 38.5 |
| Dec | 43.1 | 39.9 | 34.5 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.8 | 4.2 | 1.3 |
| Feb | 5.8 | 4.2 | 1.1 |
| Mar | 6.9 | 4.9 | 1.1 |
| Apr | 8.6 | 6.2 | 2.5 |
| May | 10.4 | 7.8 | 3.4 |
| Jun | 12.4 | 10.1 | 6.2 |
| Jul | 14.3 | 12 | 7.7 |
| Aug | 14.6 | 12.3 | 7.9 |
| Sep | 12.9 | 10.9 | 6.8 |
| Oct | 10.5 | 8.7 | 4.6 |
| Nov | 8.1 | 6.6 | 3.6 |
| Dec | 6.2 | 4.4 | 1.4 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Lerwick are June, July, and then May. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early June. For example, on the week of June 4th there is 1 day of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in mid December with an average of 5 days of significant precipitation the week of December 17th.
When can you find snow in Lerwick? Weather stations report a good amount of seasonal snow likely to be deepest around February, especially close to late February and early March. The best time to ski (if at all) in Lerwick is often around around December 3rd when fresh powder is deepest. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Lerwick.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Lerwick (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56% | 1.8 | 6.2 |
| Feb | 51% | 2.9 | 4.6 |
| Mar | 39% | 1.5 | 3.5 |
| Apr | 31% | 0.5 | 2.6 |
| May | 29% | 0.4 | 2.5 |
| Jun | 16% | 0 | 1.9 |
| Jul | 26% | 0 | 3 |
| Aug | 33% | 0 | 4.5 |
| Sep | 38% | 0 | 4.1 |
| Oct | 46% | 0.4 | 4.9 |
| Nov | 51% | 1.6 | 5.5 |
| Dec | 53% | 2.1 | 5.4 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56 | 4.6 | 15.7 |
| Feb | 51 | 7.4 | 11.7 |
| Mar | 39 | 3.8 | 8.9 |
| Apr | 31 | 1.3 | 6.6 |
| May | 29 | 1 | 6.4 |
| Jun | 16 | 0 | 4.8 |
| Jul | 26 | 0 | 7.6 |
| Aug | 33 | 0 | 11.4 |
| Sep | 38 | 0 | 10.4 |
| Oct | 46 | 1 | 12.4 |
| Nov | 51 | 4.1 | 14 |
| Dec | 53 | 5.3 | 13.7 |
Humidity and Wind
Lerwick has some extremely humid months, and high humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is March (77.6% relative humidity), and the most humid month is July (86.2%).
Wind in Lerwick is usually stronger than many places. The windiest month is January, followed by December and February. January’s average wind speed of around 18.4 knots (21.1 MPH or 34 KPH) is considered “a fresh breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early March where average top sustained speeds reach 29.2 knots, which is considered high wind or moderate gale winds.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Lerwick.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 18.4 | Strong breeze | 27.8 | Very strong breeze |
| Feb | 17.2 | Strong breeze | 25.4 | Very strong breeze |
| Mar | 16.5 | Significant breeze | 24.7 | Very strong breeze |
| Apr | 14 | Significant breeze | 21.1 | Strong breeze |
| May | 12.7 | Significant breeze | 18.7 | Very strong breeze |
| Jun | 11.6 | Significant breeze | 17 | Strong breeze |
| Jul | 11.8 | Significant breeze | 17.3 | Very strong breeze |
| Aug | 11.6 | Significant breeze | 17.8 | Strong breeze |
| Sep | 14.1 | Significant breeze | 20.7 | Very strong breeze |
| Oct | 16 | Significant breeze | 24.1 | Very strong breeze |
| Nov | 16.4 | Significant breeze | 24.8 | Very strong breeze |
| Dec | 17.3 | Strong breeze | 26.7 | Very strong breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 79.6% |
| Feb | 80.3% |
| Mar | 77.6% |
| Apr | 80.1% |
| May | 78.4% |
| Jun | 79.5% |
| Jul | 86.2% |
| Aug | 85.5% |
| Sep | 83.4% |
| Oct | 81.3% |
| Nov | 79.7% |
| Dec | 77.6% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Lerwick?
Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings for the United Kingdom; exercise a high degree of caution. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Nov 27, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Lerwick, the United Kingdom is July, followed by September and June. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Lerwick in December. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Lerwick Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderately cold. Highs range from 53.5°F (11.9°C) and 43.6°F (6.4°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is very common with 9 to 12 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is fairly slow for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for deals.
Summer (June through August)
The middle-year months have cold weather with high temperatures that are brisk. These months see the least precipitation with 5 to 10 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Lerwick, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 56.4°F (13.6°C) and 43.6°F (6.4°C), which will feel chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a great amount: 11 to 15 days per month. Tourism is the second busiest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be slightly higher priced.
Winter (December through February)
Weather is too cold this time of year in Lerwick to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 43.8°F (6.6°C) and 41.3°F (5.2°C). On average, it rains or snows a very great amount: 14 to 17 times per month. These times of year are the slowest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› the United Kingdom › Lerwick, the United Kingdom