our_weather

Our weather

It's not all rain and fog!

The climate in the Northern Ireland is moderate: summers are fairly cool and winters are quite mild. And despite what you might have heard, UK weather is not all rain and fog – it is actually more comfortable, more varied and more interesting than that. What you can look forward to in the way of rain, sun, temperature and even daylight depends on where you are living. What is it like today?

Here are some typical figures for Northern Ireland:

Average daily temperatures Northern Ireland

	January	February	March	April	May	June
degrees Celcius	5	5	5	7	10	17

	July	August	September	October	November	December
degrees Celcius	15	14	12	10	7	5

Changeable weather

International students who are used to tropical or equatorial climates are often intrigued by the sheer variety of the weather in the UK. Weather in the early spring tends to be especially changeable. You could be treated to rain, snow, thunder and lightning, hail, and glorious spring sunshine – all in the course of a single day.

The best way to cope with these unpredictable changes is to be prepared for anything. Here is how:

Make a habit of carrying an umbrella. If you buy a collapsible type, it will be small enough to keep in your backpack or book bag, or even in the pocket of your jacket.
Wear a waterproof, windproof jacket. There are lots of different weatherproof jackets available in the UK, so if you do not already have one, it probably makes sense to wait and buy one when you get here.
Learn to layer your clothing, especially on the top half of your body. For example, if you wear a cotton shirt underneath a woollen sweater and your weatherproof jacket, you will be able to add or remove layers as the weather changes.
Wear sturdy, well-made shoes with rubber soles and a good tread – they will stop you from slipping in wet or frosty conditions.

Seasons

Spring runs from March to May. At this time of the year the sun rises earlier and sets later in the afternoon. The days feel warmer and the plants start to grow. Weather in spring can be very varied. There may be days when it is cold enough to snow, and days when it is warm enough to play out in the garden. Spring months can also be very windy.
Summer runs from June to August. If we are lucky, we will see plenty of sunshine but often the weather can be very changeable. People often carry light coats and umbrellas just in case there's a shower. People like to sit outside in cafes and make the most of the sun.

Autumn runs from September to November. The days get shorter and although often it can be mild during the day, it can be chilly at night. It is the time of year when leaves fall off the trees and hedges. Autumn can bring strong winds and a lot of rain.
Winter runs from December to February. The days are short and sometimes very cold. Sometimes the winter rain will turn to sleet and snow, and often we wake up to frost and ice on the ground. Winter weather in the UK is often cold and wet.

Daylight hours