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Mild autumn keeps 2022 on track to be warmest UK year
The UK would need a December of near-record cold weather to avoid 2022 being the warmest year on record for the UK, according to Met Office statistics.
Read moreKirkwall Youth Hostel (Orkney Islands) weather
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Forecast days
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Today. Maximum daytime temperature: 6 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: -1 degrees Celsius. Cloudy. Sunrise: 08:43; Sunset: 15:20. UV: Low; Pollution: Low; No pollen data.
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Monday 5 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 7 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 4 degrees Celsius. Overcast. Sunrise: 08:45; Sunset: 15:19. UV: Low; Pollution: Low; No pollen data.
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Tuesday 6 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 6 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 3 degrees Celsius. Cloudy. Sunrise: 08:47; Sunset: 15:18. UV: Low; Pollution: Low; No pollen data.
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Wednesday 7 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 4 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 2 degrees Celsius. Light rain changing to cloudy by late morning. Sunrise: 08:49; Sunset: 15:17. UV: Low; Pollution: Low; No pollen data.
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Thursday 8 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 5 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 3 degrees Celsius. Cloudy. Sunrise: 08:50; Sunset: 15:17. UV: Low; Pollution: Low; No pollen data.
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Friday 9 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 6 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 3 degrees Celsius. Cloudy changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime. Sunrise: 08:52; Sunset: 15:16. UV: Low;
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Saturday 10 December. Maximum daytime temperature: 6 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 2 degrees Celsius. Cloudy. Sunrise: 08:53; Sunset: 15:16. UV: Low;
Seven day forecast for Kirkwall Youth Hostel
| Time | 15:00 | 16:00 | 17:00 | 18:00 | 19:00 | 20:00 | 21:00 | 22:00 | 23:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbol |
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|
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Chance of precipitation
|
<5% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | <5% | 10% | <5% | <5% |
|
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
1°
|
|
|
3° | 3° | 2° | 2° | 3° | 2° | 1° | 1° | -1° |
|
|
E
5
|
ESE
5
|
ESE
6
|
ESE
6
|
E
5
|
E
5
|
ESE
5
|
ESE
5
|
SE
4
|
|
|
15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 9 |
|
|
VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG |
|
Humidity
|
81% | 76% | 72% | 75% | 73% | 80% | 77% | 80% | 83% |
|
UV
|
1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 01:00 | 02:00 | 03:00 | 04:00 | 05:00 | 06:00 | 07:00 | 08:00 | 09:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 12:00 | 13:00 | 14:00 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 17:00 | 18:00 | 19:00 | 20:00 | 21:00 | 22:00 | 23:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbol |
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Chance of precipitation
|
<5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 20% | 10% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 10% | <5% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 20% | 30% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
|
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
6°
|
|
|
0° | 0° | 0° | 1° | 1° | 1° | 1° | 2° | 2° | 3° | 3° | 3° | 3° | 3° | 3° | 2° | 2° | 2° | 3° | 2° | 2° | 2° | 1° | 2° |
|
|
SE
4
|
WSW
4
|
W
4
|
W
4
|
W
5
|
WNW
5
|
W
5
|
W
6
|
WSW
6
|
WSW
6
|
W
7
|
NW
8
|
NNW
10
|
NNW
10
|
NNW
9
|
NNW
11
|
NNW
10
|
N
11
|
NNW
10
|
N
11
|
NNW
9
|
NNW
13
|
N
14
|
N
14
|
|
|
7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 24 | 24 |
|
|
E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | E | E | E | E | E | E | VG | E | VG | VG | E |
|
Humidity
|
79% | 77% | 78% | 77% | 78% | 77% | 75% | 74% | 77% | 79% | 80% | 84% | 81% | 75% | 77% | 78% | 79% | 75% | 76% | 79% | 84% | 77% | 77% | 69% |
|
UV
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbol |
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Chance of precipitation
|
10% | 50% | 10% | 20% | 10% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
|
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
|
|
1° | 1° | 0° | 0° | -1° | -1° | -2° | -2° |
|
|
N
15
|
N
15
|
N
18
|
N
18
|
N
20
|
N
21
|
N
22
|
N
22
|
|
|
26 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 33 | 34 | 34 |
|
|
E | E | E | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG |
|
Humidity
|
72% | 75% | 71% | 69% | 71% | 71% | 72% | 70% |
|
UV
|
- | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbol |
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Chance of precipitation
|
20% | 20% | 50% | 20% | 20% | 40% | 40% | 20% |
|
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
|
|
-3° | -3° | -3° | -3° | -4° | -4° | -4° | -3° |
|
|
NNW
23
|
NNW
23
|
NNW
22
|
NNW
22
|
NNW
22
|
N
21
|
N
19
|
N
19
|
|
|
34 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 28 |
|
|
VG | VG | VG | VG | G | VG | VG | VG |
|
Humidity
|
69% | 71% | 71% | 69% | 74% | 67% | 71% | 71% |
|
UV
|
- | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbol |
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|
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|
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|
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|
|
Chance of precipitation
|
40% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
|
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
|
|
-3° | -2° | -2° | -2° | -2° | -1° | -1° | -1° |
|
|
NNW
20
|
NNW
21
|
NNW
21
|
NNW
20
|
NNW
20
|
NNW
17
|
NNW
16
|
NNW
15
|
|
|
29 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 23 | 22 |
|
|
VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG |
|
Humidity
|
71% | 70% | 71% | 72% | 74% | 77% | 80% | 80% |
|
UV
|
- | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbol |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation
|
10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
|
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
|
|
-1° | -1° | -1° | -1° | 0° | 0° | -1° | -1° |
|
|
NNW
14
|
NNW
13
|
NNW
13
|
NNW
13
|
NNW
12
|
NNW
12
|
N
12
|
NNE
12
|
|
|
21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
|
|
VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG |
|
Humidity
|
80% | 80% | 79% | 80% | 78% | 79% | 79% | 79% |
|
UV
|
- | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbol |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation
|
10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | <5% | <5% |
|
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
|
|
-1° | -1° | -1° | -1° | 0° | -1° | -1° | -1° |
|
|
NNE
11
|
NE
11
|
N
11
|
NE
11
|
NE
11
|
NNE
11
|
NNE
11
|
NNE
10
|
|
|
17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
|
|
VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG |
|
Humidity
|
80% | 78% | 77% | 78% | 78% | 78% | 79% | 79% |
|
UV
|
- | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | - |
Chance of precipitation represents how likely it is that rain (or other types of precipitation, such as sleet, snow, hail and drizzle) will fall from the sky at a certain time.
This number shows the air temperature for the time period. You can see the temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit by using the dropdown menu.
Feels like temperature considers other factors, such as wind speed and humidity. This gives you a better idea of how the temperature will actually feel at the time.
Wind gust shows the highest wind speed that you should encounter at that time, as winds peak and lull.
Strong winds are shown in bold for speeds of 29 mph or more.
The arrow shows the direction the wind is blowing. The letters show the direction the wind is blowing from (on a standard 16-point compass).
The number represents the average wind speed expected at that time.
Visibility measures the distance at which an object can be clearly seen.
| VP (Very Poor) | Less than 1 km |
| P (Poor) | 1.1 km to 4 km |
| M (Medium) | 4.1 km to 10 km |
| G (Good) | 10.1 km to 20 km |
| VG (Very Good) | 20.1 km to 40 km |
| E (Excellent) | Greater than 40 km |
Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. If there is a lot of water vapour, the humidity will be high. The higher the percentage of humidity, the wetter it will feel outside.
UV exposure index and the protection required to help keep you safe:
No risk of UV - It’s safe to stay outside. Low - You can safely stay outside. Consider sunscreen in direct sunlight. Moderate - Take care during midday hours and do not spend too much time in the sun unprotected. Sunscreen advised. High - Seek shade during midday hours, cover up and wear sunscreen. Very high - Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm. Shirt, sunscreen and hat are essential. Extreme - Avoid being outside during midday hours. Shirt, sunscreen and hat essential.
Kirkwall Youth Hostel weather map
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Orkney & Shetland weather forecast
Headline:
Sunny spells and a few showers
Today:
A bright day with sunny spells and a few showers around, these tending to die out from the north through the afternoon. The mainly southeasterly breeze will ease. Maximum temperature 7 °C.
Tonight:
Dry with clear spells this evening, and across Orkney overnight where a touch of frost is possible. However cloud increases overnight across Shetland with rain later as southwesterly winds freshen. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
Monday:
Cloud and occasional rain across Shetland edges south through the morning with sunny spells developing. Bright start across Orkney but cloudier with some rain around the middle of the day. Maximum temperature 7 °C.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Turning colder with frequent showers, these turning increasing to snow through Tuesday with lying snow likely Wednesday and Thursday. Lying snow drifting in strong northerly winds, these easing later Thursday.
Updated:
UK long range weather forecast
It is expected to remain cold on Friday, with occasional showers especially in the north near the coasts, these likely falling as sleet or snow. Many inland areas will remain fine and dry, especially in the south. Into the weekend, conditions remain cold, with wintry showers mainly affecting windward coasts, any accumulations of snow away from northern Scotland likely confined to higher hills. Many inland areas could well stay fine and dry throughout although there will be some sharp overnight frosts along with the odd patch of freezing fog which could be slow to clear. Some bands of rain may push into the south after the weekend, possibly wintry, especially over higher ground. Temperatures remaining cold throughout with a chance of a short spell of very cold weather.
Updated:
It remains very uncertain in the second half of December, but the signal for below average temperatures does weaken, especially in southern and western areas, where it could also be wetter and windier at times, with the north and east most likely to hold on to colder conditions for longest. Any transition between the cold and mild conditions would bring a risk of rain, with sleet and snow especially over the hills.
Updated:
