The best time to visit York is June, July and August, when average highs sit in the comfortable low twenties and the days are long and bright. July reaches an average high of 21 °C with 14 rain days, while June is a touch cooler at 19.2 °C with 12 rain days and 10.7 hours of sunshine a day — the strongest stretch of the year. July and August fall in peak season, coinciding with school holidays and the city's busiest weeks. For quieter streets and lower prices, the shoulder months of spring and autumn stay comfortable without the summer crush.
Best months JuneJulyAugust
York month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 °C | 1.5 °C | 11 | 3.9 h |
| February | 8.6 °C | 2.4 °C | 11 | 5.3 h |
| March | 10.5 °C | 3.1 °C | 13 | 6.7 h |
| April | 12.6 °C | 4.1 °C | 10 | 9.5 h |
| May | 16.2 °C | 7.7 °C | 11 | 10.4 h |
| June | 19.2 °C | 10.9 °C | 12 | 10.7 h |
| July | 21 °C | 12.8 °C | 14 | 10.8 h |
| August | 20.6 °C | 12.8 °C | 12 | 10.1 h |
| September | 18.1 °C | 10.7 °C | 13 | 7.8 h |
| October | 14.2 °C | 8.1 °C | 14 | 5.6 h |
| November | 9.9 °C | 4.5 °C | 13 | 4.2 h |
| December | 7.9 °C | 3.1 °C | 13 | 3 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)
Great for mild sightseeing before the summer rush.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The all-round best time, if you don't mind crowds.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is a fine, calmer alternative to peak.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Worth it for festive atmosphere, not for weather.
Notable events
- February
- Jorvik Viking Festival
- July
- York Early Music Festival
- September
- York Food and Drink Festival
- November–December
- St Nicholas Fair Christmas Market
Frequently asked
Is August too hot in York?
No. August averages a high of 20.6 °C, comfortably within the pleasant band, with 12 rain days and 10.1 hours of sunshine a day.
What is the rainiest month?
July and October are the wettest, each with 14 rain days, though summer still delivers the longest sunshine hours.
Is winter worth visiting?
For the St Nicholas Christmas market, yes. But expect cold days — January highs of 7 °C and only 3 hours of sunshine a day in December.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our York area guide →
Areas of York
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 York — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.