The islands on the edge of the British Isles offer great extremes – not only of interest throughout the year but also of weather. Late April to the end of June is probably the best time to visit the Outer Hebrides. The days quickly become much longer – although you are some way
south of the midnight sun, it never gets completely dark in mid June – and wildlife, on a mission to breed and rear young, is at its richest. April can often be a fine month for weather. A ridge of high pressure driven by anticyclones is a recognised, if not consistent, phenomenon across the islands at the end of May and the start of June. July and August herald the striking spectacle of carpets of wild flowers along the grasslands, known as the machair, along the west coast. Summer
also brings many outdoor events, such as Gaelic singing festivals, agricultural shows and local versions of Highland games. It can be hard to get accommodation at short notice during the summer holidays (Scotland’s school holidays run from the start of July to mid August), and there is even more pressure on car rental, with prices to match. Autumn triggers a mass shift in the wildlife of the islands, with birds either migrating south or fleeing the approaching Arctic winter. The dark days
of winter are not for the faint-hearted but bring a sporting chance of seeing the northern lights and are a superb time to see hardy wildlife toughing things out. At this season, time your visit for a break in the stormy weather and you may witness some of the most extraordinarily wild and battered landscapes you’ll ever see. The low winter sun can also show off the distinctively corrugated appearance of undulating moors and age-old farming furrows. February and March are the prime time to
witness the territorial behaviour of golden eagles, which pair-bond at this time, soaring together and locking talons in a breathtaking display. For walkers and cyclists, the same opportunities and guidance that are relevant elsewhere in the UK apply here: check the weather whatever the season, and acknowledge that a good day out in winter can be as wonderful as anything in summer. The Outer Hebrides are regularly exposed to the extremes of wind and rain but – relatively
speaking – enjoy a mild climate, with frosts rare. Many places where you stay will helpfully print out the weather forecast for you to peruse over breakfast: it’s not uncommon for such forecasts to predict winds to be ‘minimum 2mph, maximum 58mph’. Not only can you experience all four seasons in one day here; stand on a headland in sunshine watching hail across the sea, and it can feel as though you can experience them all at once. In Stornoway, winter temperatures average 7°C by
day and lows of 1.8°C at night; spring time temperatures climb to 9.9°C in the afternoon with overnight lows of 3.8°C. Summer’s average high temperatures are 15.2°C, though they can reach the mid-20s°C any time between April and September, with lows of 9.3°C. Come autumn, temperatures typically drop to 11.5°C during the day and lows of 6°C. Rainfall averages 46.2 inches (1,173mm), and Harris and Lewis – with the exception of Ness – have had significantly higher rainfall over the past 30
years than the southern islands; they are also wetter than most places on the mainland, with the exception of the western Highlands, the Lake District and Snowdonia. On average, there are 1,234 hours of sunshine per year: Stornoway sees just 50 minutes sunlight per day in December. On Midsummer’s Day the islands enjoy 18 1/4 hours of daylight, the sun rising at 04.20 and setting at 22.35, though the nautical twilight continues all night, so it doesn’t ever really get pitch black.When to visit
Climate
The best times to visit Outer Hebrides for ideal weather are
June 11th to September 16th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Other Outer Hebrides Travel Info
Weather in Outer Hebrides
Temperature
Average temperatures in Outer Hebrides 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 less temperate than some — in the 14th 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 Outer Hebrides, the hottest months are July, August, and then September. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally late July where highs are regularly around 62.7°F (17.1°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 53.4°F (11.9°C) at night.
Outer Hebrides Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
KeyHigh
Average
Low
Outer Hebrides Temperatures (Celsius)
KeyHigh
Average
Low
“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.
Outer Hebrides Perceived Temperature (F)
KeyHigh
Average
Low
Outer Hebrides Perceived Temperature (C)
KeyHigh
Average
Low
Average Outer Hebrides 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
| Jan | 45.6 | 42.5 | 38.1 |
| Feb | 46 | 42.5 | 38.2 |
| Mar | 47.8 | 43.9 | 39.1 |
| Apr | 51.7 | 47.1 | 42 |
| May | 54.9 | 50.1 | 45.1 |
| Jun | 58.8 | 54.1 | 49.6 |
| Jul | 61.3 | 56.8 | 52.4 |
| Aug | 60.8 | 56.4 | 52.1 |
| Sep | 58.5 | 54.7 | 50.4 |
| Oct | 54.6 | 50.8 | 46 |
| Nov | 49.9 | 46.5 | 41.9 |
| Dec | 46.2 | 42.6 | 37.7 |
Show Celsius
| Jan | 7.6 | 5.8 | 3.4 |
| Feb | 7.8 | 5.8 | 3.4 |
| Mar | 8.8 | 6.6 | 3.9 |
| Apr | 10.9 | 8.4 | 5.6 |
| May | 12.7 | 10.1 | 7.3 |
| Jun | 14.9 | 12.3 | 9.8 |
| Jul | 16.3 | 13.8 | 11.3 |
| Aug | 16 | 13.6 | 11.2 |
| Sep | 14.7 | 12.6 | 10.2 |
| Oct | 12.6 | 10.4 | 7.8 |
| Nov | 9.9 | 8.1 | 5.5 |
| Dec | 7.9 | 5.9 | 3.2 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Outer Hebrides 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 early December with an average of 5 days of significant precipitation the week of December 3rd.
When can you find snow in Outer Hebrides? Weather stations report no annual snow. 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 Outer Hebrides.
KeyDays with precipitation
Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Outer Hebrides (in).
KeySnow depth
Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Jan | 53% | 0 | 5.7 |
| Feb | 39% | 0 | 3.6 |
| Mar | 36% | 0 | 3.4 |
| Apr | 27% | 0 | 2.5 |
| May | 32% | 0 | 3 |
| Jun | 22% | 0 | 2.2 |
| Jul | 28% | 0 | 2.6 |
| Aug | 37% | 0 | 4.3 |
| Sep | 33% | 0 | 3.4 |
| Oct | 44% | 0 | 5.3 |
| Nov | 53% | 0 | 5.4 |
| Dec | 57% | 0 | 5.6 |
Show Centimeters
| Jan | 53 | 0 | 14.5 |
| Feb | 39 | 0 | 9.1 |
| Mar | 36 | 0 | 8.6 |
| Apr | 27 | 0 | 6.4 |
| May | 32 | 0 | 7.6 |
| Jun | 22 | 0 | 5.6 |
| Jul | 28 | 0 | 6.6 |
| Aug | 37 | 0 | 10.9 |
| Sep | 33 | 0 | 8.6 |
| Oct | 44 | 0 | 13.5 |
| Nov | 53 | 0 | 13.7 |
| Dec | 57 | 0 | 14.2 |
Humidity and Wind
Outer Hebrides has some extremely humid months, and high humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is May (73.1% relative humidity), and the most humid month is August (82%).
Wind in Outer Hebrides is usually stronger than many places. The windiest month is January, followed by December and March. January’s average wind speed of around 18 knots (20.7 MPH or 33.3 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 to mid January where average top sustained speeds reach 28.3 knots, which is considered high wind or moderate gale winds.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Outer Hebrides.
KeyAvg. Relative Humidity
Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
KeyMax Sustained Wind
Average Daily Wind
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 | Strong breeze | 27.1 | Very strong breeze |
| Feb | 16 | Significant breeze | 23.9 | Very strong breeze |
| Mar | 16.5 | Significant breeze | 24.3 | Very strong breeze |
| Apr | 13.8 | Significant breeze | 20.6 | Strong breeze |
| May | 14.3 | Significant breeze | 20.7 | Very strong breeze |
| Jun | 12.4 | Significant breeze | 17.7 | Strong breeze |
| Jul | 12.2 | Significant breeze | 17.9 | Very strong breeze |
| Aug | 13 | Significant breeze | 18.9 | Strong breeze |
| Sep | 14.7 | Significant breeze | 20.9 | Very strong breeze |
| Oct | 15.2 | Significant breeze | 23.1 | Very strong breeze |
| Nov | 16.2 | Significant breeze | 24.3 | Very strong breeze |
| Dec | 17.4 | Strong breeze | 26.2 | Very strong breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Jan | 79.2% |
| Feb | 80.1% |
| Mar | 76.2% |
| Apr | 75.8% |
| May | 73.1% |
| Jun | 77.6% |
| Jul | 81.5% |
| Aug | 82% |
| Sep | 80.8% |
| Oct | 79.4% |
| Nov | 78.5% |
| Dec | 78.2% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Outer Hebrides?
Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. As of Oct 07, 2019 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 Sep 06, 2019.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Outer Hebrides, the United Kingdom is July, followed by January and August. 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 Outer Hebrides in April. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
KeyTourists Seeking Accommodations
Tourism graph is based on Google searches for services used by tourists relative to the rest of the year. Tourism data for this area is extrapolated based on nearby areas. Displayed data is calculated relative to the peak, so a score of 71.3 in April means 71.3% of the tourists vs. July.
Overall Outer Hebrides Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderately cold. Highs range from 57.5°F (14.2°C) and 46.9°F (8.3°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 8 to 11 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 7 to 12 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Outer Hebrides, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 59.6°F (15.3°C) and 46.5°F (8.1°C), which will feel chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a great amount: 10 to 16 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 Outer Hebrides to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 46.9°F (8.3°C) and 44.8°F (7.1°C). On average, it rains or snows a very great amount: 11 to 18 times per month. These times of year are the second busiest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› the United Kingdom › Outer Hebrides, the United Kingdom
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