Climate of Guernsey

Climate of Guernsey

The island of Guernsey is one of the Channel Islands. Like Jersey, it is fairly close to the French coast. The temperate maritime climate is therefore very similar to the climate of the Brittany region in France. Guernsey has milder weather in the winter months compared to the interior of Brittany. Under the influence of the relatively warm seawater, it cools less in winter than on the European mainland. Due to its favorable location on the east coast of Guernsey, the capital Saint Peter Port even has a remarkably low number of days that it actually comes to frost. Even in the coolest months, temperatures often remain above freezing at night. With an average of 4 to 6 degrees above zero, it is about five to seven degrees warmer in Guernsey than in the Netherlands.

Mild winters

The mild winters and the fairly stable precipitation pattern ensure that subtropical plants such as palm trees can survive on the island of Guernsey. Although it could theoretically be possible, Guernsey does not produce wine on a large scale. The winter months are not only fairly warm, the sun also shows itself regularly for this region. In the darkest months, at least about two hours of sunshine per day are recorded. The summer months are good for an average of eight hours of sunshine per day. With an average of 35 to 45 millimeters of precipitation per month, the summer is drier than the rest of the year. In fact, in terms of precipitation statistics, Guernsey does significantly better than many Western European countries in the summer.

Mild summers

Summers are rarely hot in Guernsey. If you are looking for tropical temperatures, it is better to choose another holiday destination. However, those looking for sunny and dry weather with pleasant temperatures between 18 and 23 degrees during the day will find it in Guernsey. During the summer months, the island is therefore ideal for all kinds of outdoor activities such as hiking or cycling. It is not without reason that you will find many walking and cycling routes on the island where you can enjoy yourself. Various festivals and other events are also organized in the summer months.

Climate figures

The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).

Maximum temperature Minimum temperature Hours of sunshine per day Days of rainfall per month Water temperature
January 10℃ 8℃ 4 12 11℃
February 9℃ 7℃ 5 11 10℃
March 10℃ 8℃ 6 9 9℃
April 11℃ 9℃ 9 8 10℃
May 13℃ 11℃ 9 6 12℃
June 15℃ 14℃ 10 6 14℃
July 17℃ 15℃ 10 6 16℃
August 18℃ 16℃ 9 6 17℃
September 17℃ 16℃ 8 7 17℃
October 16℃ 14℃ 6 12 16℃
November 13℃ 11℃ 4 14 14℃
December 11℃ 9℃ 4 13 12℃

Best time to visit Guernsey

Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to Guernsey? You can determine the best time to travel to a destination based on the weather and climate. In addition, there are other factors that are not directly related to the weather and that can influence the best travel periods for a travel destination. Think, for example, of holidays or festive periods, which makes traveling more interesting or not, because daily life comes to a standstill as a result. Guernsey is located in the English Channel and therefore belongs to the Channel Islands. It is a so-called bailiwick and is seen as British Crown property. Guernsey is not part of the United Kingdom and does not belong to the European Union. Besides the island of Guernsey, the islands of Alderney, Herm and Sark also belong to Guernsey. The location between England and France ensures that there is a moderate maritime climate. Winters are quite mild and summers are on the cool side. Precipitation falls throughout the year without a marked dry or wet period. Because the sun is relatively infrequent from November to March, winters in Guernsey are gloomy and gray.

Best months for Guernsey

The best time to visit Guernsey is from June to September. The months of July and August are the best within this period, because the temperatures are the highest and these two months are quite sunny. The average maximum temperature is then around twenty degrees. Summer temperatures of 25 degrees or higher are not very common in Guernsey. Whoever goes on holiday in Guernsey will not do so as quickly as the goal to make it a holiday in the sun. If you would travel to Guernsey outside the summer, it has the advantage that it is low season or mid-season. The accommodations are cheaper then, but the landscape is no less beautiful in that period. Especially April and October can be attractive for people who mainly want to walk in Guernsey. April is the best month of these two months in terms of rainfall. about half of what normally falls from the sky in October falls.

Guernsey