Weather & Climate in Kirkwall, United Kingdom
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kirkwall experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 54°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 41.8 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 10 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
54°F Jul (12°C)
| Annual Average | 46.0°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 54°F (12°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 5,300/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 58.9848°N, 2.9587°W |
| Timezone | Europe/London |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.7.
| Mar 22, 2007 | 75 km WSW of Sandwick, United Kingdom | M2.7 | 79 km | 16 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 4.3 in | |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| March | 40°F (5°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 2.1 in | Driest |
| June | 51°F (10°C) | 2.2 in | |
| July | 54°F (12°C) | 2.4 in | |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 2.9 in | Warmest |
| September | 52°F (11°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 4.6 in |
Kirkwall has a seasonal temperature swing of 15°F / from 39°F in February to 55°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 41.8 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.0") and May the driest (2.1").