Orkney weather
At 9:00 PM local time it was clear and 25°C (76°F). Light rain for 4 of the next 24 hours (under 1 mm/h, 1.2 mm total) — cloudy, but fine to be out. Best months for weather: May–Sep. Orkney sits 1309 m (4,295 ft) above sea level, which keeps it cooler than the coast. Below: today's sky, the hour-by-hour rain chance and the 16-day forecast for Orkney, North West, South Africa.
Current conditions
- Clouds
- 18%
- Chance of rain
- 1%
- Rain
- 0.0 mm/h
Hourly Forecast
Light rain for 4 of the next 24 hours (under 1 mm/h, 1.2 mm total) — cloudy, but fine to be out
Daily Forecast
Best Time to Visit
Peak season May–SepOff season Dec–Feb
About Orkney weather
Is it raining in Orkney right now?
No. It’s clear and 25° right now. Light rain for 4 of the next 24 hours (under 1 mm/h, 1.2 mm total) — cloudy, but fine to be out.
What’s the weather like in Orkney this week?
Over the next 7 days, expect highs of 28–34° and lows of 16–19°. Rain is likely on 3 of 7 days (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday). The driest day looks like Saturday.
Has it been raining in Orkney lately?
In the past 7 days, Orkney had 2 rainy days and 6.6 mm of rain in total.
What should I pack for Orkney?
For the coming week, bring an umbrella or rain jacket, light, breathable clothes and sunscreen.
Orkney weather by month
When is the best time to visit Orkney?
Based on weather alone, the best time to visit Orkney is May–Sep, according to NASA's 2001–2025 climate averages. Dec–Feb tends to be the least pleasant. Average highs run from 18°C (65°F) in July to 32°C (89°F) in January.
What is the rainiest month in Orkney?
December is the wettest month, with about 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain on average. July is the driest, with about 3 mm (0.1 in).
What is the hottest month in Orkney?
January is the warmest, with average highs of 32°C (89°F) and lows of 17°C (63°F). July is the coolest, with highs of 18°C (65°F) and lows of 2°C (35°F).
Does Orkney have a rainy season?
Not a strong one. No month averages more than 150 mm of rain; the wettest is December at about 96 mm (3.8 in).
Sources: 2001–2025 monthly averages from NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), forecast and current conditions from Open-Meteo. Page updated . How we rate months