Isles of Scilly weather
The Met Office forecast for the islands hour by hour and for the week, any weather warnings, and what the weather is like through the year, so you can plan your days and your crossing.
St Mary's right now
- WindWest 30 mph26 knots, force 6, gusts 51 mph
- Rain89% chanceHumidity 95%
- Sunrise07:59Sunset 18:18
- UV0Low
Next 24 hours
gust 42
gust 39
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gust 39
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gust 21
Wind and gusts in mph. Rain is the chance of rain in that hour.
The week ahead
- Today24 Oct OvercastSunrise 07:59 · sunset 18:18 16° 11° 16% SW 41 mphgusts 56
- Sunday25 Oct CloudySunrise 07:01 · sunset 17:16 15° 11° 94% NW 27 mphgusts 35
- Monday26 Oct CloudySunrise 07:03 · sunset 17:15 17° 12° 59% SW 27 mphgusts 37
- Tuesday27 Oct SunnySunrise 07:04 · sunset 17:13 15° 12° 27% W 27 mphgusts 36
- Wednesday28 Oct CloudySunrise 07:06 · sunset 17:11 16° 12° 5% SW 15 mphgusts 20
- Thursday29 Oct CloudySunrise 07:08 · sunset 17:09 15° 12° 15% S 21 mphgusts 28
- Friday30 Oct CloudySunrise 07:09 · sunset 17:07 16° 12° 18% SW 19 mphgusts 25
Isles of Scilly weather at a glance
What a normal year looks like on the islands, from the Met Office's long term averages for St Mary's.
- Warmest month20°CAverage high in August
- Mildest winter nights6°CAverage low in February, the coldest month
- Rain in a year879 mmOver about 142 wet days
- Sunshine in a year1,708 hrsSunniest in May, about 221 hrs
- Frosty nightsUnder 1A year on average
- Windiest monthJanuaryMean wind about 16 knots
Isles of Scilly weather by month
January on the Isles of Scilly
January is mild for winter but often wild on Scilly: highs around 10°C and lows near 6°C, one of the wetter months with about 93 mm over 15 days, and around 58 hours of sunshine. It is one of the windiest months, so expect some cancelled boats. Sunrise about 08:15, sunset about 16:53.
- High10°C
- Low6°C
- Rain93 mm
- Wet days15
- Sunshine58 hrs
- Mean wind16 kn
- Sunrise08:15
- Sunset16:53
February on the Isles of Scilly
February is mild for winter but often wild on Scilly: highs around 10°C and lows near 6°C, average rainfall with about 76 mm over 13 days, and around 83 hours of sunshine. It is one of the windiest months, so expect some cancelled boats. Sunrise about 07:33, sunset about 17:45.
- High10°C
- Low6°C
- Rain76 mm
- Wet days13
- Sunshine83 hrs
- Mean wind15 kn
- Sunrise07:33
- Sunset17:45
March on the Isles of Scilly
March is mild for winter but often wild on Scilly: highs around 11°C and lows near 7°C, one of the drier months with about 57 mm over 12 days, and around 132 hours of sunshine. Sunrise about 06:36, sunset about 18:31.
- High11°C
- Low7°C
- Rain57 mm
- Wet days12
- Sunshine132 hrs
- Mean wind14 kn
- Sunrise06:36
- Sunset18:31
April on the Isles of Scilly
April is fresh, with warmer spells on Scilly: highs around 13°C and lows near 8°C, one of the drier months with about 50 mm over 10 days, and around 195 hours of sunshine. Sunrise about 06:30, sunset about 20:20.
- High13°C
- Low8°C
- Rain50 mm
- Wet days10
- Sunshine195 hrs
- Mean wind13 kn
- Sunrise06:30
- Sunset20:20
May on the Isles of Scilly
May is fresh, with warmer spells on Scilly: highs around 15°C and lows near 10°C, one of the drier months with about 48 mm over 9 days, and around 221 hours of sunshine. Sunrise about 05:37, sunset about 21:05.
- High15°C
- Low10°C
- Rain48 mm
- Wet days9
- Sunshine221 hrs
- Mean wind11 kn
- Sunrise05:37
- Sunset21:05
June on the Isles of Scilly
June is mild and often bright on Scilly: highs around 17°C and lows near 12°C, one of the drier months with about 50 mm over 9 days, and around 211 hours of sunshine. Winds are usually at their lightest. Sunrise about 05:13, sunset about 21:37.
- High17°C
- Low12°C
- Rain50 mm
- Wet days9
- Sunshine211 hrs
- Mean wind8 kn
- Sunrise05:13
- Sunset21:37
July on the Isles of Scilly
July is the warmest stretch of the year on Scilly: highs around 19°C and lows near 14°C, average rainfall with about 69 mm over 9 days, and around 205 hours of sunshine. Winds are usually at their lightest. Sunrise about 05:31, sunset about 21:31.
- High19°C
- Low14°C
- Rain69 mm
- Wet days9
- Sunshine205 hrs
- Mean wind8 kn
- Sunrise05:31
- Sunset21:31
August on the Isles of Scilly
August is the warmest stretch of the year on Scilly: highs around 20°C and lows near 14°C, average rainfall with about 77 mm over 10 days, and around 197 hours of sunshine. Sunrise about 06:13, sunset about 20:45.
- High20°C
- Low14°C
- Rain77 mm
- Wet days10
- Sunshine197 hrs
- Mean wind11 kn
- Sunrise06:13
- Sunset20:45
September on the Isles of Scilly
September is mild and often bright on Scilly: highs around 18°C and lows near 13°C, average rainfall with about 71 mm over 10 days, and around 165 hours of sunshine. Sunrise about 06:59, sunset about 19:41.
- High18°C
- Low13°C
- Rain71 mm
- Wet days10
- Sunshine165 hrs
- Mean wind10 kn
- Sunrise06:59
- Sunset19:41
October on the Isles of Scilly
October is mild and often bright on Scilly: highs around 15°C and lows near 11°C, one of the wetter months with about 89 mm over 14 days, and around 117 hours of sunshine. It is one of the windiest months, so expect some cancelled boats. Sunrise about 07:45, sunset about 18:36.
- High15°C
- Low11°C
- Rain89 mm
- Wet days14
- Sunshine117 hrs
- Mean wind14 kn
- Sunrise07:45
- Sunset18:36
November on the Isles of Scilly
November is fresh, with warmer spells on Scilly: highs around 12°C and lows near 9°C, one of the wetter months with about 100 mm over 16 days, and around 72 hours of sunshine. Sunrise about 07:36, sunset about 16:43.
- High12°C
- Low9°C
- Rain100 mm
- Wet days16
- Sunshine72 hrs
- Mean wind13 kn
- Sunrise07:36
- Sunset16:43
December on the Isles of Scilly
December is mild for winter but often wild on Scilly: highs around 11°C and lows near 7°C, one of the wetter months with about 100 mm over 16 days, and around 52 hours of sunshine. It is one of the windiest months, so expect some cancelled boats. Sunrise about 08:14, sunset about 16:25.
- High11°C
- Low7°C
- Rain100 mm
- Wet days16
- Sunshine52 hrs
- Mean wind14 kn
- Sunrise08:14
- Sunset16:25
All months in a table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Wet days | Sunshine | Wind | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°C | 6°C | 93 mm | 15 | 58 hrs | 16 kn | 08:15 | 16:53 |
| February | 10°C | 6°C | 76 mm | 13 | 83 hrs | 15 kn | 07:33 | 17:45 |
| March | 11°C | 7°C | 57 mm | 12 | 132 hrs | 14 kn | 06:36 | 18:31 |
| April | 13°C | 8°C | 50 mm | 10 | 195 hrs | 13 kn | 06:30 | 20:20 |
| May | 15°C | 10°C | 48 mm | 9 | 221 hrs | 11 kn | 05:37 | 21:05 |
| June | 17°C | 12°C | 50 mm | 9 | 211 hrs | 8 kn | 05:13 | 21:37 |
| July | 19°C | 14°C | 69 mm | 9 | 205 hrs | 8 kn | 05:31 | 21:31 |
| August | 20°C | 14°C | 77 mm | 10 | 197 hrs | 11 kn | 06:13 | 20:45 |
| September | 18°C | 13°C | 71 mm | 10 | 165 hrs | 10 kn | 06:59 | 19:41 |
| October | 15°C | 11°C | 89 mm | 14 | 117 hrs | 14 kn | 07:45 | 18:36 |
| November | 12°C | 9°C | 100 mm | 16 | 72 hrs | 13 kn | 07:36 | 16:43 |
| December | 11°C | 7°C | 100 mm | 16 | 52 hrs | 14 kn | 08:14 | 16:25 |
The best time to visit the Isles of Scilly
Spring
March to MayThe driest months come in April and May, with only about 50 mm of rain each, and May is the sunniest month of the year. The islands are full of flowers and the puffins arrive. Sea fog can drift in on calm days and hold up the flights.
Summer
June to AugustThe warmest and calmest stretch, with highs of 17 to 20°C and the lightest winds of the year, so the boats run their full timetable. Long evenings: the sun sets after 21:00 in June. A breeze off the sea keeps it from feeling hot.
Autumn
September to NovemberSeptember is often settled, still warm and the sea is at its warmest. October brings more wind and rain, around 90 mm, but also the birdwatchers who come for rare migrants. The Scillonian finishes for the winter in early November.
Winter
December to FebruaryAmong the mildest winters in the UK, with highs around 10°C and frost almost unheard of. It is also the windiest and wettest time, with short days. Getting here is by air while the Scillonian is laid up, and some boats and places close.
Weather on the islands
- Wind decides the day. Strong winds stop the boats between the islands before anything else. Pick a beach facing away from the wind and you can be sheltered and warm on a breezy day.
- Fog and low cloud can settle over the islands on calm spring and summer days. Skybus cannot fly in it, so check Scilly Live before heading to the airport.
- The sea keeps it mild. Winters are rarely cold and summers rarely hot, but the weather can change quickly as showers move through on a westerly wind.
- The sun is stronger than it feels. A sea breeze hides it, and there is little shade on the boats and beaches, so take sun cream even on a cool day.
- High water and big seas can send waves over the sea front at Porthcressa and Town Beach in a gale. Keep back and watch from a safe distance.
Isles of Scilly weather, answered
What is the weather like on the Isles of Scilly?+
Mild all year and often breezy. The islands sit out in the Atlantic, 28 miles south west of Land's End, so winters are among the mildest in the UK and summers are warm rather than hot. Summer highs average around 19 to 20°C in July and August, winter highs around 10°C, and frost is almost unknown. About 880 mm of rain falls in a year, spread over roughly 140 days.
When is the best time to visit the Isles of Scilly?+
May to September for the warmest, longest days. May and June are usually the sunniest and driest, with puffins and the spring flowers, while August and September have the warmest sea. October is quieter, still mild, and the islands fill with birdwatchers.
Is the weather on Scilly warmer than in Cornwall?+
In winter, yes: the sea keeps the islands mild, with January nights averaging about 6°C and frost on less than one night a year. In summer the days are much the same as west Cornwall, often a degree or so cooler because of the sea breeze.
Does bad weather stop the boats and flights?+
It can. Strong winds and rough seas can cancel the Scillonian and the boats between the islands, and fog or low cloud can stop Skybus flying. The helicopter copes with low cloud better but not with strong winds. Scilly Live shows every flight and sailing, the fog and the wind on one page.
What is the wettest month on Scilly?+
November and December are the wettest, each with about 100 mm of rain over 16 days. April to June are the driest, at about 50 mm a month.
Does it snow on the Isles of Scilly?+
Very rarely. Snow that settles is unusual enough to make the news, and frost happens on less than one night a year on average.
Where does this forecast come from?+
The forecast is the Met Office site specific forecast for St Mary's, refreshed every 15 minutes, and the warnings are the Met Office's own. The averages are the Met Office's 1991 to 2020 figures for its St Mary's climate station.
Forecast and warnings: contains Met Office data © Crown copyright, the site specific forecast for St Mary's, refreshed every 15 minutes. Averages: Met Office, Scilly: St Mary's climate station, averages for 1991 to 2020, rounded. Sunrise and sunset worked out for St Mary's on the 15th of each month.
Travelling today?
Boats, flights, the Scillonian, tides and weather for all five islands, in one place.