If you’re planning a trip to Scotland, you probably have a lot of outdoor activities planned and want to avoid getting drenched in the rain! For this reason, it’s important to ask, “when does it rain the least in Scotland?”
Generally, it rains the least in Scotland in the late spring and early summer months. You’re least likely to see rain in April, May, and June, and the first few days of July are typically dry as well.
Below, we’ll discuss which months have the least rainfall, and which months to avoid traveling to Scotland if you want to avoid the rain. Keep reading to learn more!
When Does It Rain the Least in Scotland?
According to Trip Savvy, there are a few months in which vacationers are better off planning their trips to Scotland if they want to stay dry.
These months include:
- April
- May
- June
- July
Below, we’ll discuss how much rain you can expect to fall during these months.
April
According to Travel Scoop, April is one of the driest months of the year in Scotland.
During April, Scotland only experiences rainfall on an average of six days. All this rainfall typically only equates to around 2.5 inches total.
Due to the small amount of rain you can expect, traveling to Scotland during April will ensure the lowest chance of getting caught in a thunderstorm.
May
May is a little bit wetter than April in Scotland, but it still experiences a lower average rainfall than other months.
Scotland gets approximately 2.7 inches of rain during the month of May, making it one of the drier months in this country.
June
While June is another dry month in Scotland, those who visit during this time are more likely to get caught in an occasional shower compared to a visit in May.
On average, Scotland receives approximately 2.6 inches of rain throughout June.
July
The beginning of July is another great time to visit Scotland if you want to avoid the rain.
The first few days are typically the driest, and Scotland generally receives an average of 2.9 inches of rain throughout July.
Although this month is the wettest out of all the dry months in Scotland, it is still dry enough for many visitors to enjoy their trip without getting wet.
When Does It Rain the Most in Scotland?
Planning a trip to Scotland during late spring or early summer isn’t possible for everyone.
But, if you don’t want your vacation ruined by rainy weather, there are a few months when you should refrain from traveling to Scotland.
Some of the rainiest months in Scotland can receive up to 5.83 inches of rain. These months include the late fall and early winter months, between October and January.
Below, we’ll discuss how much rain these months receive on average and what the general weather is like during these times.
October
In October, Scotland receives an average rainfall of around 4.2 inches.
This season is wet and cold, making for an uncomfortable environment.
During October in Scotland, it usually rains over half the month.
If you do visit Scotland during October, consider staying in Edinburgh. This is typically the driest area.
November
In the month of November, Scotland usually receives an average of 3.94 inches of rain.
This month is rather unpredictable, and a sunny day can turn stormy without much notice at all.
Similar to October, it rains about half of the month during November in Scotland, and the driest area is Edinburgh.
December
Scotland receives an average of 3.82 inches of rain during December.
Like October and November, it usually rains over half of the month during December.
As with the other months on this list, Edinburgh is the place to be if you wish to stay dry in Scotland in December.
January
During the month of January, Scotland receives an average of 4.13 inches of rain. About half the month consists of rainy days.
As with the other months we have mentioned, Edinburgh is the best place to be in January if you wish to see the least rain during January.
What Contributes to Scotland’s Rainfall?
When we consider what contributes to Scotland’s rainy nature, we must immediately note the surrounding bodies of water, including the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Being surrounded by such large amounts of water increases the sun’s evaporation rate, producing a lot more rain compared to areas not surrounded by the ocean.
In Conclusion
Scotland receives more rainy weather than other areas because it is surrounded by the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, which increases the amount of evaporation in the region.
Although Scotland generally receives a lot of rain because of its geographical location, it still has a few dry months.
If you want to avoid rain during your vacation to Scotland, consider planning your vacation for April, May, June, or the early days of July.
There are also a few months to avoid visiting Scotland due to an increased chance of rain.
To avoid cold, stormy weather, don’t plan your trip to Scotland between October and January.
