Weather
Ireland
Moist winds from the Atlantic Ocean and frequent winter rains maintain Ireland’s emerald landscape. The average winter temperature ranges 35 F–45 F. The average summer temperature a mild 65 F–75 F. In May and June the days offer about seven hours of sunshine. Go Ahead suggests July and August are the months to travel to Ireland for the driest, warmest weather.
Spring and autumn are also good times to travel if you prefer smaller crowds. Unfortunately, the weather at this time can be rainy with less daylight. The average annual rainfall in Ireland ranges from 31- to 41-inches—less annual rainfall than Florida.
Wales
Most of Great Britain has a temperate climate in the summer months. The most sunshine in Wales occurs between May and August. The average summer temperature ranges from 52 F (11 C) to 56 F (13 C). The southwestern area of Wales receives an average of 1,700 hours of sunshine.
The mountainous regions of Wales receive the most annual rainfall. In the northwest, Snowdonia has the highest accounts of rain, averaging 118 inches. Overall October—January is the wettest time in Wales. Although there are high accounts of rain throughout Great Britain, Wales does not have a high occurrence of thunderstorms. Winter temperatures are dependent upon your elevation. In low level areas temperatures are around 45 F (7 C) and in high elevations, such as Snowdon, they are 41 F (5 C).
England
Your best chance of good weather is, of course, at the height of summer in July and August, but there’s certainly no guarantee of sun even in those months—plus it’s when you can expect the biggest crowds and highest prices. Receiving more than 79 inches of annual rainfall, the Lake District is the wettest region of England. Though it receives heavy rainfall, the Lake District does not have a high occurrence of thunderstorms, on average only eight days a year. A good rule of thumb is to expect one out of three days to rain, especially in the winter. However, the driest season is spring and the wettest season, autumn.
The Lake District’s maritime climate fluctuates between 38 F (3 C) in January and 59 F (15 C) in July. The higher the altitude the greater the fluctuations are in temperature. In the winter, England does have snow but rarely around sea level areas.
Scotland
Outdoor activities offer much of the attraction to the Scottish Highlands. From water sports on the crisp waters of Loch Lomond to traversing Glencoe, sunny weather offers the best escape in the Highlands. Due to Scotland’s location at the top of Great Britain, it experiences cooler temperatures. Highs in the winter are around 41 F (5 C). In the summer, Scotland experiences highs around 66 F (19 C) with July and August offering the most consistent sunshine.
The Highlands also have a history of being relatively cloudy and rainy year-round, which accounts for its lush landscapes. Fortunately, much of the heavy cloud coverage occurs in the winter months. In the winter, the Highlands’ snowfall varies. Some winters only receive six days of snow; other years receive 36–105 days of snow. Heavy depressions from the Atlantic Ocean known as European windstorms are most common in the autumn and winter.
