Our verdict
The best time to visit Shetland Islands is June-September
During the warmer months, temperatures in Shetland Islands can rise to a maximum of 15℃ (59℉). The weather at night in the winter can get down to temperatures as low as 2℃ (36℉).
If you want to get the most out of your time visiting Shetland Islands, or you’re just afraid of the dark, the days in June are usually the longest between sunrise and sunset. December sees the most amount of rain in a month if you’re ok with chancing getting drenched, so if you’re looking to stay dry, visit in June instead.
Continue reading to find out loads more about when to travel to Shetland Islands, then use the handy tools below to search for the best flight and hotel options that are right for you.
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Shetland Islands seasons
Before you continue, it’s important to know when the seasons are in Shetland Islands as they might be different to yours depending on where in the world you’re travelling from. Shetland Islands is in the Northern Hemisphere, so the seasons fall during these months:
| Season | Months |
|---|---|
| Summer | June to August |
| Autumn/fall | September to November |
| Winter | December to February |
| Spring | March to May |
Average temperatures in Shetland Islands
If the temperature is a big factor for you to help you decide when to visit, the chart below shows the average minimum and maximum temperatures in Shetland Islands for each month side-by-side so you can easily see the difference in weather throughout the year. To see the temperatures in both Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F), hover or tap the shaded boxes on the graph.
Shetland Islands climate by month
If you already have a rough idea about which months you might want to travel, the section below shows a detailed breakdown of the climate in Shetland Islands for each month so you can see if it all suits your wants and needs. Scroll down, or use the quick menu below to jump to your preferred month.
Jump to:
Shetland Islands in January
- Average temperature: 7℃ (44℉)
- Average high temperature: 7℃ (45℉)
- Average low temperature: 5℃ (42℉)
- Average humidity: 76%
- Average sunny days: 3 days
- Average rainfall: 79mm (3") over 25 days
- Average snow days: 1 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Shetland Islands in January, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.
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Shetland Islands in February
- Average temperature: 6℃ (43℉)
- Average high temperature: 7℃ (44℉)
- Average low temperature: 5℃ (41℉)
- Average humidity: 76%
- Average sunny days: 3 days
- Average rainfall: 64mm (3") over 21 days
- Average snow days: 2 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Shetland Islands in February, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.
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Shetland Islands in March
- Average temperature: 6℃ (44℉)
- Average high temperature: 7℃ (45℉)
- Average low temperature: 5℃ (42℉)
- Average humidity: 77%
- Average sunny days: 4 days
- Average rainfall: 67mm (3") over 23 days
- Average snow days: 2 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Shetland Islands in March, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.
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Shetland Islands in April
- Average temperature: 7℃ (45℉)
- Average high temperature: 8℃ (47℉)
- Average low temperature: 6℃ (43℉)
- Average humidity: 78%
- Average sunny days: 9 days
- Average rainfall: 36mm (1") over 17 days
- Average snow days: 1 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Shetland Islands in April, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.
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Shetland Islands in May
- Average temperature: 9℃ (48℉)
- Average high temperature: 9℃ (49℉)
- Average low temperature: 8℃ (46℉)
- Average humidity: 81%
- Average sunny days: 12 days
- Average rainfall: 42mm (2") over 17 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Shetland Islands in May, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.
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Shetland Islands in June
- Average temperature: 11℃ (52℉)
- Average high temperature: 12℃ (53℉)
- Average low temperature: 10℃ (50℉)
- Average humidity: 84%
- Average sunny days: 12 days
- Average rainfall: 32mm (1") over 15 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Shetland Islands in June, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.
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Shetland Islands in July
- Average temperature: 13℃ (55℉)
- Average high temperature: 13℃ (56℉)
- Average low temperature: 12℃ (54℉)
- Average humidity: 86%
- Average sunny days: 9 days
- Average rainfall: 44mm (2") over 18 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Shetland Islands in July, make sure you pack a light jumper or hoodie.
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Shetland Islands in August
- Average temperature: 13℃ (56℉)
- Average high temperature: 14℃ (57℉)
- Average low temperature: 13℃ (55℉)
- Average humidity: 84%
- Average sunny days: 7 days
- Average rainfall: 61mm (2") over 21 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Shetland Islands in August, make sure you pack a light jumper or hoodie.
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Shetland Islands in September
- Average temperature: 12℃ (54℉)
- Average high temperature: 13℃ (55℉)
- Average low temperature: 12℃ (53℉)
- Average humidity: 83%
- Average sunny days: 7 days
- Average rainfall: 56mm (2") over 20 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Shetland Islands in September, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.
Shetland Islands in October
- Average temperature: 10℃ (51℉)
- Average high temperature: 11℃ (52℉)
- Average low temperature: 9℃ (49℉)
- Average humidity: 80%
- Average sunny days: 5 days
- Average rainfall: 74mm (3") over 23 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Shetland Islands in October, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.
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Shetland Islands in November
- Average temperature: 8℃ (47℉)
- Average high temperature: 9℃ (48℉)
- Average low temperature: 7℃ (45℉)
- Average humidity: 77%
- Average sunny days: 2 days
- Average rainfall: 66mm (3") over 25 days
- Average snow days: 1 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Shetland Islands in November, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.
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Shetland Islands in December
- Average temperature: 7℃ (45℉)
- Average high temperature: 8℃ (46℉)
- Average low temperature: 6℃ (42℉)
- Average humidity: 75%
- Average sunny days: 2 days
- Average rainfall: 90mm (4") over 26 days
- Average snow days: 2 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Shetland Islands in December, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.
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