The best time to visit Glasgow is June, July and August, when average highs climb to 17.6 °C in June, 18.5 °C in July and 18 °C in August and daylight stretches long into the evening, with around 10.1 hours of sunshine a day in June. July and August fall in peak season, coinciding with school holidays and the city's busiest weeks. The quieter, colder months run November through February, when highs drop to 6.2 °C in January and sunshine shrinks to just 3.2 hours a day.
Best months JuneJulyAugust
Glasgow month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.2 °C | 1.4 °C | 16 | 3.2 h |
| February | 7.3 °C | 2 °C | 17 | 4.5 h |
| March | 9.1 °C | 2.4 °C | 15 | 6.1 h |
| April | 11.6 °C | 3.7 °C | 11 | 8.6 h |
| May | 15.4 °C | 7.2 °C | 14 | 10 h |
| June | 17.6 °C | 10.1 °C | 17 | 10.1 h |
| July | 18.5 °C | 11.6 °C | 17 | 9.5 h |
| August | 18 °C | 11.4 °C | 18 | 8.8 h |
| September | 16 °C | 9.6 °C | 16 | 7.1 h |
| October | 12.5 °C | 7.1 °C | 16 | 4.8 h |
| November | 8.7 °C | 3.7 °C | 16 | 3.8 h |
| December | 7 °C | 2.5 °C | 18 | 2.4 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
A good-value window for travellers who want brightening days without summer crowds.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The prime window for warmth and festivals — pack a rain jacket regardless.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Best early on for milder days; later months turn grey and wet.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
For city breaks, Christmas markets and indoor culture rather than weather.
Notable events
- January
- Celtic Connections music festival
- March
- Glasgow International Comedy Festival
- June
- West End Festival
- November–December
- George Square Christmas lights and markets
Frequently asked
Is Glasgow too hot in August?
No — August highs average 18 °C, mild and comfortable rather than hot, with 8.8 hours of sunshine a day.
What is the rainiest month in Glasgow?
Rain is spread across the year, but August and December each record 18 rain days, the wettest by count. Bring waterproofs whenever you visit.
Is winter worth visiting?
Winter is cold and dim — January highs reach just 6.2 °C with only 3.2 hours of sunshine a day — but it suits festive markets, Celtic Connections and indoor culture.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Glasgow area guide →
Areas of Glasgow
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Glasgow — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.