It doesn’t always rain in Scotland
In fact, rainfall varies widely, ranging from over 3,000mm per year in the western Highlands (similar to rainfall over the mountains of the English Lake District and Snowdonia in Wales) to under 800mm per year near the east coast (similar to the Midlands of England).
The number of thunderstorms in Scotland, around three to nine days a year, is relatively low compared with an average of up to 15 days over England.
Measurable rainfall (an amount of 0.2mm or more) occurs on over 250 days per year over much of the Highlands, decreasing to around 175 days per year on the Angus, Fife and East Lothian coasts.
In comparison, the driest part of Britain, along with the Thames Estuary in south-east England, averages around 150 days per year with measurable rainfall.
Average summer temperatures
Temperatures in Scotland are generally a few degrees cooler than in England. For example, the average daily maximum temperature at Glasgow in July is 19°C compared with 22°C in London.
July and August are normally the warmest months in Scotland. The highest temperatures normally occur inland.
The highest air temperature recorded in Scotland was 32.9°C at Greycrook in the Borders in August 2003.
Average winter temperatures
To a large extent, winter temperature in the British Isles is influenced by the surface temperature of the surrounding sea, and as the North Sea is cooler than the waters off the west coast, the east coast is generally slightly cooler in winter than the west coast.
January and February are the coldest months. The daytime maximum temperatures over low ground in January and February average around 5 to 7°C, but can reach up to around 15°C when an airflow warms up after crossing the mountains, an Alpine effect known as the föhn.
The lowest temperatures occur inland, away from the moderating influence of the sea. In 1982 the temperature fell to -27°C, the lowest recorded in Britain, at Braemar in Aberdeenshire. Coastal areas do not experience such cold nights.
The average number of days with sleet or snow falling in Scotland ranges from around 20 or less near the west coast to over 100 days in the Cairngorm Mountains and some other high peaks.
On Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, snow cover can last for six or seven months of the year.