I should also add that Glasgow is a windy city, so bringing an umbrella is not the best way to protect yourself against the rain; I always recommend bringing waterproof clothing!
What's the weather like in Glasgow?
The temperature here is actually one of the "warmest" in all of Scotland, classified as an oceanic climate, due to the currents that travel over from the Gulf of Mexico. For this reason, the average temperature in winter is 5ºC; although that doesn’t mean the thermometers won’t dip below 0ºC some days! In summer the average temperature is around 20ºC, but it can occasionally reach 27ºC.
Also, most days are cloudy in this city, so a sunny day is indeed a gift. If this happens, don’t waste it! Do all the outdoor activities or tours you can, since it will surely rain the following day.
The coldest months are December and January, with very humid days and few hours of daylight. I don't want to discourage anyone from visiting Glasgow, but I have to tell the truth even if it hurts! However, the beautiful thing about visiting in December is getting to see the Christmas market in George Square (although it didn’t happen in 2020 due to COVID-19).
The warmest months are July and August, although the days can still vary a lot in temperature. One day it could be 25ºC with incredible sun and the next it will be 15ºC, cloudy and raining... seriously, always bring your waterproof clothing!
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Seasonal weather in Glasgow
Winter
Depending on the month, temperatures can range from -14ºC to 17ºC. It’s not always that dramatic of course, so you should always check the weather forecast before visiting Glasgow.
Spring
During this season, if you visit around April you can expect anything between -4ºC to 24ºC. These are the historical minimum and maximum temperatures seen in April, but the usual average is around 9ºC.
In May it rises to an average of 11ºC, and in June to an average of 14ºC.
Summer
Don't let the season fool you, you will see cold and rainy weather on many days during these months. Even in July, the hottest month, the average temperature is only around 16ºC. For me, who's been in the UK for 11 years, this is a day for wearing shorts and a T-shirt; depending on which country you come from, this could feel pretty cold!
Autumn
This is one of my favourite seasons of the year, with those coppery and ochre colours that flood the parks and streets of Glasgow, as the leaves fall from the trees.
Here, humorously, we start saying "Winter is coming" from August onwards since the temperatures begin to drop again in September. October and November continue to get colder, with average temperatures ranging from 6ºC to 9ºC.
In December 1995, the country’s historical lowest temperature was registered at -19.9ºC; the historical highest was registered in June 2018 at 31.9ºC. However, as I say, these are very extreme temperatures and it is not usual for this to happen!
So, I think after all of that, you are now ready to visit Glasgow, whether in the cold winter or the less cold summer, with your waterproof clothing and comfortable, waterproof walking shoes.
