Climate of Belfast

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The climate of Belfast features a temperate maritime climate (Köppen: Cfb) with relatively mild summers, cool winters and abundant rainfall throughout the year. There are several weather stations in Belfast, with the main stations being at Stormont Castle which since 1959 has been recording temperature and rainfall records. Another weather station closer to the city centre at Newforge has been recording observations since 1982. Further afield, another station is located at Belfast International Airport, which has been recording observations since 1930.

Quick facts Belfast, United Kingdom, explanation) ...
Belfast, United Kingdom
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
89
 
 
8
2
 
 
70
 
 
9
2
 
 
71
 
 
10
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60
 
 
13
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60
 
 
16
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69
 
 
18
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74
 
 
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85
 
 
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96
 
 
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102
 
 
11
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93
 
 
8
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Met Office[1]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
3.5
 
 
47
36
 
 
2.8
 
 
48
36
 
 
2.8
 
 
51
38
 
 
2.4
 
 
55
40
 
 
2.3
 
 
60
45
 
 
2.7
 
 
65
49
 
 
2.9
 
 
68
53
 
 
3.3
 
 
67
53
 
 
2.7
 
 
63
49
 
 
3.8
 
 
57
44
 
 
4
 
 
51
40
 
 
3.7
 
 
47
36
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
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River Lagan in Belfast during the Summer

Within the Belfast City District, the highest temperature recorded is 31.2 °C (88.2 °F) at Ravenhill Road on 21 July 2021,[2] and the lowest temperature recorded is −13.5 °C (7.7 °F) at Newforge on 22 December 2010.[2] Although at Belfast International Airport located 12 miles west of the city, a temperature of 30.8 °C (87.4 °F) was recorded on 18 July 2022[3] whilst a temperature of −14.9 °C (5.2 °F) was recorded on 22 December 2010.[4]

Classifications

More information Climatic scheme, Initials ...
Belfast Climate according to major climate systems
Climatic scheme Initials Description
Köppen system[5] Cfb Oceanic climate[a]
Trewartha system[6] Do Temperate oceanic climate
Alisov system[7] N/a Temperate climate[b]
Strahler system[8] N/a Marine west-coast
Thornthwaite system[9]
C2 B'1
 Moist subhumid
Neef system[10] N/a West side/maritime climate
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Temperature

The average yearly high temperature in Belfast is 13.7 °C (56.7 °F) and the average yearly low is 6.3 °C (43.3 °F). The average daily mean is 9.9 °C (49.8 °F).

Averages

More information 40 m (131 ft) amsl, 1991–2020 normals, Month ...
Climate data for Belfast (Newforge),[c] 40 m (131 ft) amsl, 1991–2020 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8.2
(46.8)		 8.8
(47.8)		 10.5
(50.9)		 12.8
(55.0)		 15.7
(60.3)		 17.2
(63.0)		 19.7
(67.5)		 19.4
(66.9)		 17.3
(63.1)		 13.8
(56.8)		 10.7
(51.3)		 8.4
(47.1)		 13.7
(56.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.2
(41.4)		 5.5
(41.9)		 6.8
(44.2)		 8.8
(47.8)		 11.4
(52.5)		 14.0
(57.2)		 15.6
(60.1)		 15.4
(59.7)		 13.5
(56.3)		 10.4
(50.7)		 7.4
(45.3)		 5.4
(41.7)		 9.9
(49.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.2
(36.0)		 2.1
(35.8)		 3.1
(37.6)		 4.7
(40.5)		 7.0
(44.6)		 9.7
(49.5)		 11.6
(52.9)		 11.5
(52.7)		 9.6
(49.3)		 6.9
(44.4)		 4.2
(39.6)		 2.3
(36.1)		 6.3
(43.3)
Source: Met Office[11]
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More information 40 m (131 ft) amsl, 1961–1990 normals, Month ...
Climate data for Belfast (Newforge),[d] 40 m (131 ft) amsl, 1961–1990 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.3
(45.1)		 7.4
(45.3)		 9.5
(49.1)		 11.7
(53.1)		 14.6
(58.3)		 17.6
(63.7)		 19.0
(66.2)		 18.7
(65.7)		 16.6
(61.9)		 13.6
(56.5)		 9.6
(49.3)		 8.1
(46.6)		 12.8
(55.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.5
(40.1)		 4.6
(40.3)		 6.1
(43.0)		 8.0
(46.4)		 10.6
(51.1)		 13.5
(56.3)		 15.1
(59.2)		 14.8
(58.6)		 12.9
(55.2)		 10.4
(50.7)		 6.6
(43.9)		 5.3
(41.5)		 9.4
(48.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.8
(35.2)		 1.8
(35.2)		 2.8
(37.0)		 4.2
(39.6)		 6.7
(44.1)		 9.4
(48.9)		 11.1
(52.0)		 10.9
(51.6)		 9.2
(48.6)		 7.3
(45.1)		 3.6
(38.5)		 2.5
(36.5)		 6.3
(43.3)
Source: Met Office[11]
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Extremes

Due to Belfast having an oceanic climate, extremes of temperatures are rare. Furthermore, as the city is located on the coast of the Irish Sea, wind chill is enhanced as a result of stronger winds as well as heat indexes being higher than areas further inland as a result of the higher humidity found close to bodies of water.

More information Month, Jan ...
Climate data for Belfast, 1959–present extremes[e]
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 15.0
(59.0)		 16.4
(61.5)		 20.2
(68.4)		 23.1
(73.6)		 26.2
(79.2)		 30.0
(86.0)		 31.2
(88.2)		 29.3
(84.7)		 25.8
(78.4)		 21.5
(70.7)		 17.8
(64.0)		 15.6
(60.1)		 31.2
(88.2)
Record low °C (°F) −12.6
(9.3)		 −12.2
(10.0)		 −9.6
(14.7)		 −6.0
(21.2)		 −5.0
(23.0)		 −0.1
(31.8)		 1.7
(35.1)		 0.8
(33.4)		 −1.1
(30.0)		 −3.2
(26.2)		 −8.0
(17.6)		 −13.5
(7.7)		 −13.5
(7.7)
Source 1: Met Office[12]
Source 2: Starlings Roost Weather[13][14]
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More information Period, Record temperature ...
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More information Period, Record temperature ...
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More information Period, Record mean ...
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Precipitation

Precipitation is fairly regular throughout the year in Belfast, with no wet or dry season as a result of its oceanic climate. All extreme rainfall records were recorded at Stormont Castle since 1961.

Averages

More information 40 m (131 ft) amsl, precipitation 1991–2020 normals, Month ...
Climate data for Belfast (Newforge),[f] 40 m (131 ft) amsl, precipitation 1991–2020 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average precipitation mm (inches) 88.5
(3.48)		 70.3
(2.77)		 71.4
(2.81)		 60.4
(2.38)		 59.6
(2.35)		 69.0
(2.72)		 73.6
(2.90)		 85.0
(3.35)		 69.6
(2.74)		 95.8
(3.77)		 102.3
(4.03)		 93.3
(3.67)		 938.7
(36.96)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 14.4 12.7 12.6 11.3 11.5 11.4 13.0 13.5 11.6 13.8 15.5 14.8 156.2
Source: Met Office[11]
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More information Stormont Castle), elevation: 56 m (184 ft), precipitation 1991–2020 normals, Month ...
Climate data for Belfast (Stormont Castle),[g] elevation: 56 m (184 ft), precipitation 1991–2020 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average precipitation mm (inches) 92.5
(3.64)		 71.6
(2.82)		 73.9
(2.91)		 64.4
(2.54)		 67.7
(2.67)		 74.4
(2.93)		 77.0
(3.03)		 86.0
(3.39)		 74.6
(2.94)		 97.2
(3.83)		 102.5
(4.04)		 95.2
(3.75)		 976.9
(38.46)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 15.3 13.1 13.3 11.6 12.3 11.5 12.4 13.6 11.5 13.3 15.4 14.5 157.8
Source: ECA&D[15][16][17]
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Extremes

More information Period, Record rainfall ...
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Other Phenomena

Sunshine, UV and daylight

Like most of the British Isles, Belfast sees frequent overcast and cloudy skies due to the oceanic controlled climate and high latitude.

More information 40 m (131 ft) amsl, sun 1991–2020 normals, Month ...
Climate data for Belfast (Newforge),[h] 40 m (131 ft) amsl, sun 1991–2020 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean monthly sunshine hours 40.1 65.2 97.7 157.1 185.1 151.1 146.3 141.9 112.0 92.4 52.9 35.3 1,277
Mean daily daylight hours 8.0 9.7 11.9 14.1 16.1 17.2 16.6 14.9 12.7 10.5 8.5 7.4 12.3
Average ultraviolet index 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 3 3 2 2 3
Source 1: Met Office[1]
Source 2: WeatherAtlas[18]
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Wind

The mean yearly wind speed at 10m in Belfast is 9.8 mph (8.5 kn). Records were recorded at Belfast International Airport.

More information Period, Mean wind speed at 10m ...
Period Mean wind speed at 10m[1]
Annual 9.8 mph (8.5 kn)
January 11.3 mph (9.8 kn)
February 11.3 mph (9.8 kn)
March 10.8 mph (9.4 kn)
April 10.0 mph (8.7 kn)
May 9.4 mph (8.2 kn)
June 8.7 mph (7.6 kn)
July 8.3 mph (7.2 kn)
August 8.3 mph (7.2 kn)
September 8.9 mph (7.7 kn)
October 9.9 mph (8.6 kn)
November 10.2 mph (8.9 kn)
December 10.5 mph (9.1 kn)
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Station Data

More information 40 m (131 ft) amsl, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1982–present, Month ...
Climate data for Belfast (Newforge),[i] 40 m (131 ft) amsl, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1982–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 15.0
(59.0)		 16.4
(61.5)		 19.7
(67.5)		 22.1
(71.8)		 25.4
(77.7)		 28.6
(83.5)		 30.2
(86.4)		 28.1
(82.6)		 23.7
(74.7)		 20.5
(68.9)		 17.1
(62.8)		 15.2
(59.4)		 30.2
(86.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8.2
(46.8)		 8.8
(47.8)		 10.5
(50.9)		 12.8
(55.0)		 15.7
(60.3)		 17.2
(63.0)		 19.7
(67.5)		 19.4
(66.9)		 17.3
(63.1)		 13.8
(56.8)		 10.7
(51.3)		 8.4
(47.1)		 13.7
(56.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.2
(41.4)		 5.5
(41.9)		 6.8
(44.2)		 8.8
(47.8)		 11.4
(52.5)		 14.0
(57.2)		 15.6
(60.1)		 15.4
(59.7)		 13.5
(56.3)		 10.4
(50.7)		 7.4
(45.3)		 5.4
(41.7)		 9.9
(49.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.2
(36.0)		 2.1
(35.8)		 3.1
(37.6)		 4.7
(40.5)		 7.0
(44.6)		 9.7
(49.5)		 11.6
(52.9)		 11.5
(52.7)		 9.6
(49.3)		 6.9
(44.4)		 4.2
(39.6)		 2.3
(36.1)		 6.3
(43.3)
Record low °C (°F) −10.1
(13.8)		 −7.1
(19.2)		 −6.5
(20.3)		 −3.8
(25.2)		 −2.6
(27.3)		 1.3
(34.3)		 4.2
(39.6)		 2.5
(36.5)		 0.8
(33.4)		 −3.0
(26.6)		 −7.6
(18.3)		 −13.5
(7.7)		 −13.5
(7.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 88.5
(3.48)		 70.3
(2.77)		 71.4
(2.81)		 60.4
(2.38)		 59.6
(2.35)		 69.0
(2.72)		 73.6
(2.90)		 85.0
(3.35)		 69.6
(2.74)		 95.8
(3.77)		 102.3
(4.03)		 93.3
(3.67)		 938.7
(36.96)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 14.4 12.7 12.6 11.3 11.5 11.4 13.0 13.5 11.6 13.8 15.5 14.8 156.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours 40.1 65.2 97.7 157.1 185.1 151.1 146.3 141.9 112.0 92.4 52.9 35.3 1,277
Source 1: Met Office[19]
Source 2: Starlings Roost Weather[13][14]
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More information Sea temperature data for Belfast, Month ...
Sea temperature data for Belfast
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average sea temperature °C (°F) 9.1
(48.4)		 8.3
(46.9)		 8.2
(46.8)		 8.9
(48.0)		 10.2
(50.4)		 11.9
(53.4)		 13.7
(56.7)		 14.3
(57.7)		 14.2
(57.6)		 13.4
(56.1)		 12.3
(54.1)		 10.6
(51.1)		 11.2
(52.2)
Source: seatemperature.org [20]
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More information Stormont Castle), elevation: 56 m (184 ft), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1959–present, Month ...
Climate data for Belfast (Stormont Castle),[j] elevation: 56 m (184 ft), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1959–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14.7
(58.5)		 15.8
(60.4)		 20.1
(68.2)		 20.9
(69.6)		 25.0
(77.0)		 29.0
(84.2)		 29.7
(85.5)		 28.2
(82.8)		 25.0
(77.0)		 20.6
(69.1)		 17.5
(63.5)		 15.0
(59.0)		 29.7
(85.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.9
(46.2)		 8.6
(47.5)		 10.3
(50.5)		 12.6
(54.7)		 15.3
(59.5)		 17.6
(63.7)		 19.2
(66.6)		 18.9
(66.0)		 16.9
(62.4)		 13.6
(56.5)		 10.4
(50.7)		 8.3
(46.9)		 13.3
(55.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.2
(41.4)		 5.5
(41.9)		 6.8
(44.2)		 8.8
(47.8)		 11.3
(52.3)		 13.8
(56.8)		 15.5
(59.9)		 15.3
(59.5)		 13.4
(56.1)		 10.5
(50.9)		 7.6
(45.7)		 5.6
(42.1)		 9.9
(49.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.5
(36.5)		 2.5
(36.5)		 3.4
(38.1)		 5.0
(41.0)		 7.2
(45.0)		 10.0
(50.0)		 11.7
(53.1)		 11.6
(52.9)		 10.0
(50.0)		 7.5
(45.5)		 4.7
(40.5)		 2.9
(37.2)		 6.6
(43.9)
Record low °C (°F) −9.9
(14.2)		 −6.1
(21.0)		 −7.2
(19.0)		 −5.6
(21.9)		 −1.7
(28.9)		 1.7
(35.1)		 5.6
(42.1)		 4.9
(40.8)		 1.1
(34.0)		 −0.9
(30.4)		 −3.4
(25.9)		 −9.1
(15.6)		 −9.9
(14.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 92.5
(3.64)		 71.6
(2.82)		 73.9
(2.91)		 64.4
(2.54)		 67.7
(2.67)		 74.4
(2.93)		 77.0
(3.03)		 86.0
(3.39)		 74.6
(2.94)		 97.2
(3.83)		 102.5
(4.04)		 95.2
(3.75)		 976.9
(38.46)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 15.3 13.1 13.3 11.6 12.3 11.5 12.4 13.6 11.5 13.3 15.4 14.5 157.8
Source: KNMI[15][16][17]
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More information 8 m (26 ft) amsl, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1986–present, Month ...
Climate data for Belfast (Ravenhill Road),[k] 8 m (26 ft) amsl, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1986–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14.5
(58.1)		 15.6
(60.1)		 20.2
(68.4)		 22.7
(72.9)		 26.2
(79.2)		 30.0
(86.0)		 31.2
(88.2)		 29.3
(84.7)		 24.5
(76.1)		 20.0
(68.0)		 16.7
(62.1)		 15.3
(59.5)		 31.2
(88.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.7
(45.9)		 8.3
(46.9)		 10.4
(50.7)		 13.3
(55.9)		 16.2
(61.2)		 18.6
(65.5)		 20.1
(68.2)		 19.8
(67.6)		 17.4
(63.3)		 13.4
(56.1)		 10.1
(50.2)		 8.0
(46.4)		 13.6
(56.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.2
(41.4)		 5.5
(41.9)		 7.1
(44.8)		 9.4
(48.9)		 12.1
(53.8)		 14.7
(58.5)		 16.4
(61.5)		 16.1
(61.0)		 13.8
(56.8)		 10.5
(50.9)		 7.4
(45.3)		 5.5
(41.9)		 10.3
(50.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.7
(36.9)		 2.6
(36.7)		 3.8
(38.8)		 5.5
(41.9)		 8.0
(46.4)		 10.8
(51.4)		 12.6
(54.7)		 12.4
(54.3)		 10.3
(50.5)		 7.6
(45.7)		 4.8
(40.6)		 3.0
(37.4)		 7.0
(44.6)
Record low °C (°F) −8.3
(17.1)		 −5.8
(21.6)		 −4.9
(23.2)		 −2.2
(28.0)		 0.6
(33.1)		 2.4
(36.3)		 6.1
(43.0)		 4.2
(39.6)		 2.2
(36.0)		 −2.5
(27.5)		 −5.0
(23.0)		 −11.3
(11.7)		 −11.3
(11.7)
Source: Starlings Roost Weather[13][14]
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More information Month, Jan ...
Climate data for Belfast International Airport
WMO ID: 03917; coordinates 54°39′50″N 6°13′30″W; elevation: 63 m (207 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1930–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14.5
(58.1)		 15.6
(60.1)		 20.2
(68.4)		 21.8
(71.2)		 26.1
(79.0)		 29.5
(85.1)		 30.8
(87.4)		 28.0
(82.4)		 27.1
(80.8)		 21.8
(71.2)		 17.1
(62.8)		 15.0
(59.0)		 30.8
(87.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.3
(45.1)		 7.9
(46.2)		 9.7
(49.5)		 12.3
(54.1)		 15.2
(59.4)		 17.6
(63.7)		 19.1
(66.4)		 18.7
(65.7)		 16.6
(61.9)		 13.1
(55.6)		 9.8
(49.6)		 7.6
(45.7)		 12.9
(55.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.7
(40.5)		 4.9
(40.8)		 6.3
(43.3)		 8.5
(47.3)		 11.2
(52.2)		 13.8
(56.8)		 15.4
(59.7)		 15.2
(59.4)		 13.2
(55.8)		 10.2
(50.4)		 7.1
(44.8)		 5.0
(41.0)		 9.6
(49.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.1
(35.8)		 2.0
(35.6)		 3.0
(37.4)		 4.7
(40.5)		 7.1
(44.8)		 9.9
(49.8)		 11.8
(53.2)		 11.7
(53.1)		 9.9
(49.8)		 7.2
(45.0)		 4.4
(39.9)		 2.4
(36.3)		 6.4
(43.5)
Record low °C (°F) −12.8
(9.0)		 −11.7
(10.9)		 −12.2
(10.0)		 −5.1
(22.8)		 −3.3
(26.1)		 −1.2
(29.8)		 2.2
(36.0)		 1.1
(34.0)		 −2.2
(28.0)		 −4.4
(24.1)		 −8.6
(16.5)		 −14.9
(5.2)		 −14.9
(5.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 77.0
(3.03)		 63.3
(2.49)		 60.6
(2.39)		 55.6
(2.19)		 55.9
(2.20)		 68.0
(2.68)		 78.8
(3.10)		 84.5
(3.33)		 69.2
(2.72)		 88.0
(3.46)		 87.7
(3.45)		 83.5
(3.29)		 872.0
(34.33)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 14.7 13.2 13.0 12.0 11.6 11.9 14.1 14.2 12.1 14.0 15.5 15.2 161.3
Average snowy days 5 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 19
Average relative humidity (%) 89 87 88 89 90 90 90 92 92 91 90 89 91
Mean monthly sunshine hours 48.7 72.1 108.4 157.8 197.9 167.6 152.0 146.4 121.5 91.2 61.3 47.1 1,372
Source 1: Met Office[21] NOAA (relative humidity and snow days 1961–-1990)[22]
Source 2: KNMI[23][24] Starlings Roost Weather[25][26]
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Notes

  1. [a]
    Also called marine west coast.
  2. [b]
    Mid-latitude temperate maritime climate
  3. [c]
    Weather station is located 2.6 miles (4.2 km) from the Belfast city centre.
  4. [d]
    Weather station is located 2.6 miles (4.2 km) from the Belfast city centre.
  5. [e]
    Extremes are recorded from all stations within the Belfast City District, including Black and Divis Mountains.
  6. [f]
    Weather station is located 2.6 miles (4.2 km) from the Belfast city centre.
  7. [g]
    Weather station is located 3.9 miles (6.3 km) from the Belfast city centre.
  8. [h]
    Weather station is located 2.6 miles (4.2 km) from the Belfast city centre.
  9. [i]
    Weather station is located 2.6 miles (4.2 km) from the Belfast city centre.
  10. [j]
    Weather station is located 3.9 miles (6.3 km) from the Belfast city centre.
  11. [k]
    Weather station is located 1.2 miles (1.9 km) from the Belfast city centre.

References

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