When to go

York: month by month

Average temperature, rainfall, sunshine and daylight for each month, what to pack, and the bank holidays that can change crowds and prices. Averages are Met Office 1991-2020 figures, not a forecast.

York guide · Rainy-day ideas in York

York Minster seen over trees and rooftops from the city walls
York Minster seen over trees and rooftops from the city wallsPhoto: Chris Gorringe, CC BY-SA 2.0
Rowntree Park, Micklegate and Bishopthorpe Road
Outdoors: Rowntree ParkPhoto: DS Pugh, CC BY-SA 2.0
York Castle Museum, Castle, Fossgate and Walmgate
Under a roof: York Castle MuseumPhoto: Jitka Erbenová (cheva), CC BY-SA 3.0

For a dry day and a wet one: photos from our guide, with where to find each place.

York climate by month

Warmest month: July (highs about 22°C). Coolest: January (about 7°C). Wettest: August (62 mm). Driest: March (41 mm).

Station: Church Fenton. Mean daily maximum and minimum, rainfall, days with 1 mm or more, sunshine hours and day length.
MonthMax °CMin °CRain mmRain daysSun hoursDaylight
January7.31.34911557 h 56
February8.11.2429869 h 37
March10.52.541911411 h 49
April13.34.143916214 h 01
May16.46.943918816 h 03
June19.110.055918017 h 07
July21.511.952919616 h 32
August21.011.9621017914 h 46
September18.39.756913212 h 31
October14.26.9581010610 h 20
November10.23.75912708 h 26
December7.51.45811567 h 24

Source: Met Office, Church Fenton, 1991-2020 averages (Open Government Licence v3.0). Daylight is calculated from the latitude of York for the 15th of each month. Church Fenton is the Met Office station page for the area around York (it lies south-west of the city, not in it); no station page for the city center was found.

Pick a month

Choose a month for what to expect, what to pack and the bank holidays. Without JavaScript every month is listed below.

January in York

1–7°CTypical night to day
49 mmRain, 11 days
7 h 56Daylight
55 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 7.3°C at the warmest and nights 1.3°C at the coolest.
  • About 49 mm of rain falls over roughly 11 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 55 hours of sunshine in the month and 7 h 56 of daylight in the middle of the month.
  • This is the coolest month on average.

Planning

  • Short days (about 7 h 56 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 55 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 11 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Jan

  • Fri, Jan 1, 2027: New Year’s Day
  • Mon, Jan 3, 2028: New Year’s Day

February in York

1–8°CTypical night to day
42 mmRain, 9 days
9 h 37Daylight
86 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 8.1°C at the warmest and nights 1.2°C at the coolest.
  • About 42 mm of rain falls over roughly 9 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 86 hours of sunshine in the month and 9 h 37 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 9 h 37 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 9 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Feb

No bank holidays in England in February for the next two years.

March in York

3–11°CTypical night to day
41 mmRain, 9 days
11 h 49Daylight
114 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 10.5°C at the warmest and nights 2.5°C at the coolest.
  • About 41 mm of rain falls over roughly 9 days with 1 mm or more, the driest month of the year here.
  • Expect about 114 hours of sunshine in the month and 11 h 49 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 11 h 49 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a sweater or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 9 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Mar

  • Fri, Mar 26, 2027: Good Friday
  • Mon, Mar 29, 2027: Easter Monday

April in York

4–13°CTypical night to day
43 mmRain, 9 days
14 h 01Daylight
162 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 13.3°C at the warmest and nights 4.1°C at the coolest.
  • About 43 mm of rain falls over roughly 9 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 162 hours of sunshine in the month and 14 h 01 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 14 h 01 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a sweater or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A packable waterproof, just in case: a drier month on average, but showers still happen.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Apr

  • Fri, Apr 14, 2028: Good Friday
  • Mon, Apr 17, 2028: Easter Monday

May in York

7–16°CTypical night to day
43 mmRain, 9 days
16 h 03Daylight
188 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 16.4°C at the warmest and nights 6.9°C at the coolest.
  • About 43 mm of rain falls over roughly 9 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 188 hours of sunshine in the month and 16 h 03 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Long days (about 16 h 03 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a sweater or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A packable waterproof, just in case: a drier month on average, but showers still happen.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in May

  • Mon, May 3, 2027: Early May bank holiday
  • Mon, May 31, 2027: Spring bank holiday
  • Mon, May 1, 2028: Early May bank holiday
  • Mon, May 29, 2028: Spring bank holiday

June in York

10–19°CTypical night to day
55 mmRain, 9 days
17 h 07Daylight
180 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 19.1°C at the warmest and nights 10.0°C at the coolest.
  • About 55 mm of rain falls over roughly 9 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 180 hours of sunshine in the month and 17 h 07 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Long days (about 17 h 07 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a sweater or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 9 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Jun

No bank holidays in England in June for the next two years.

July in York

12–22°CTypical night to day
52 mmRain, 9 days
16 h 32Daylight
196 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 21.5°C at the warmest and nights 11.9°C at the coolest.
  • About 52 mm of rain falls over roughly 9 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 196 hours of sunshine in the month, the sunniest of the year and 16 h 32 of daylight in the middle of the month.
  • This is the warmest month on average.

Planning

  • Long days (about 16 h 32 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light, breathable clothes.
  • One warmer layer for the evenings, when it cools to around 12°C.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 9 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Jul

No bank holidays in England in July for the next two years.

August in York

12–21°CTypical night to day
62 mmRain, 10 days
14 h 46Daylight
179 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 21.0°C at the warmest and nights 11.9°C at the coolest.
  • About 62 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more, the wettest month of the year here.
  • Expect about 179 hours of sunshine in the month and 14 h 46 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 14 h 46 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • Light, breathable clothes.
  • One warmer layer for the evenings, when it cools to around 12°C.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Aug

  • Mon, Aug 30, 2027: Summer bank holiday
  • Mon, Aug 28, 2028: Summer bank holiday

September in York

10–18°CTypical night to day
56 mmRain, 9 days
12 h 31Daylight
132 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 18.3°C at the warmest and nights 9.7°C at the coolest.
  • About 56 mm of rain falls over roughly 9 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 132 hours of sunshine in the month and 12 h 31 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 12 h 31 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a sweater or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A packable waterproof, just in case: a drier month on average, but showers still happen.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Sep

No bank holidays in England in September for the next two years.

October in York

7–14°CTypical night to day
58 mmRain, 10 days
10 h 20Daylight
106 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 14.2°C at the warmest and nights 6.9°C at the coolest.
  • About 58 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 106 hours of sunshine in the month and 10 h 20 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 10 h 20 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a sweater or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Oct

No bank holidays in England in October for the next two years.

November in York

4–10°CTypical night to day
59 mmRain, 12 days
8 h 26Daylight
70 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 10.2°C at the warmest and nights 3.7°C at the coolest.
  • About 59 mm of rain falls over roughly 12 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 70 hours of sunshine in the month and 8 h 26 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Short days (about 8 h 26 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 70 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a sweater or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 12 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Nov

No bank holidays in England in November for the next two years.

December in York

1–8°CTypical night to day
58 mmRain, 11 days
7 h 24Daylight
56 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 7.5°C at the warmest and nights 1.4°C at the coolest.
  • About 58 mm of rain falls over roughly 11 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 56 hours of sunshine in the month and 7 h 24 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Short days (about 7 h 24 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 56 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 11 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Dec

  • Fri, Dec 25, 2026: Christmas Day
  • Mon, Dec 28, 2026: Boxing Day
  • Mon, Dec 27, 2027: Christmas Day
  • Tue, Dec 28, 2027: Boxing Day

Holidays and busy periods

Bank holidays (public holidays) for England come from GOV.UK, listed for the next two years in each month above. Many Britons travel on bank holiday weekends, so book transport and rooms early.

School vacations are set by each local council, so we do not list dates here. Check School term and holiday dates (GOV.UK).

From our York guide

York works all year. The Minster, museums and walls are busiest in summer and school vacations.

  • Spring (March to May): Good weather for the walls and the Museum Gardens, with fewer crowds than summer.
  • Summer (June to August): Long days for walking the walls and the river. Book popular attractions and rooms ahead.
  • Fall (September to November): Quieter streets once the school vacations end, and good light on the Minster.
  • Winter (December to February): Short days, but museums, tea rooms and old pubs come into their own.

We do not publish crowd or price seasonality: none of the sources used for this page states it.

How we work this out

  • Temperatures, rainfall, rain days and sunshine are the Met Office 1991-2020 monthly averages for one weather station (Church Fenton). They describe a typical month, not a forecast. We never call a live weather service for this page.
  • Packing: warm coat below 10°C highs, warm jacket below 15°C, light layers below 20°C. A full waterproof when a month has 12 or more days with 1 mm of rain or at least 80 mm; a light waterproof from 9 days; sunscreen and a hat from May to September. Shoes with grip when typical nights are 3°C or colder.
  • Daylight is the astronomical day length, including the usual allowance for atmospheric refraction, on the 15th of the month at the latitude of York.

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