The Best Time to Visit Stornoway, the United Kingdom for Weather, Safety, & Tourism

The best times to visit Stornoway for ideal weather are

June 25th to August 19th

based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.

Weather in Stornoway

Temperature

Average temperatures in Stornoway vary somewhat. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for most of the year with a chance of rain or snow throughout most of the year. The area is far less temperate than some — in the 4th 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 Stornoway, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally late July where highs are regularly around 64.2°F (17.9°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 49.2°F (9.6°C) at night.

“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.

Average Stornoway 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.

Precipitation (Rain or Snow)

If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Stornoway are June, April, and then July. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early to mid June. For example, on the week of June 11th there is 1 day of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in late October to early November with an average of 5 days of significant precipitation the week of October 29th.

When can you find snow in Stornoway? Weather stations report far greater snow than most tourist destinations snow through most of the year likely to be deepest around October, especially close to early to mid February. The best time to ski (if at all) in Stornoway is often around around December 17th 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.

Average Rain and Snow by Month

Humidity and Wind

Stornoway has some very humid months, and high humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is May (71.5% relative humidity), and the most humid month is December (78.7%).

Wind in Stornoway is usually stronger than many places. The windiest month is January, followed by December and March. January’s average wind speed of around 13.6 knots (15.6 MPH or 25.1 KPH) is considered “a moderate breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in late January and early February where average top sustained speeds reach 27 knots, which is considered a strong breeze.

Average Wind Speeds

Is it Safe to Travel to Stornoway?

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 Stornoway, the United Kingdom is July, followed by January and September. 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 Stornoway in December. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.

Estimated Tourism by Month

Overall Stornoway Travel Experience by Season

Spring (March through May)

Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderately cold. Highs range from 58.8°F (14.9°C) and 47.2°F (8.4°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is very common with 9 to 12 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the slowest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for deals.

Summer (June through August)

The middle-year months have comfortably cool weather with high temperatures that are brisk. These months see the least precipitation with 6 to 11 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Stornoway, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.

Fall (September through November)

Fall daily highs range from 60.9°F (16.1°C) and 46.4°F (8°C), which will feel chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a great amount: 11 to 17 days per month. Tourism is fairly slow during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be lower priced.

Winter (December through February)

Weather is too cold this time of year in Stornoway to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 47.2°F (8.4°C) and 44.4°F (6.9°C). On average, it rains or snows a very great amount: 12 to 17 times per month. These times of year are the second busiest with tourists.

Best Times to Travel› the United Kingdom › Stornoway, the United Kingdom