What Are Winters Like In Shetland?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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In fact, Shetland’s winters are

far milder than

you might expect. Despite being so far north, Shetland’s winters are relatively temperate due to the Gulf Stream warming the sea around the isles. The temperature in December rarely dips below freezing point, with the average temperature being around 2°C.

How many hours of daylight does Shetland have in the winter?

Because Shetland is so far north (its latitude is the same as Norway, Sweden and Finland), it experiences extremes of daylight hours. So at the peak of summer, islanders can enjoy almost 19 hours of sunshine a day while in the depths of winter they see

fewer than six hours of daylight

.

How cold does it get in Shetland?

In Shetland, the summers are short, cool, and windy; the winters are long, very cold, wet, and extremely windy; and it is mostly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies

from 37°F to 59°F

and is rarely below 30°F or above 63°F.

What’s it like to live in Shetland?

Shetland – living life to the full

It’s a safe place to raise a family, offering children great freedom, but Shetland is

lively

, with a bustling social and sports scene and activities for everyone. … And while Shetland may seem far away, it’s well connected.

How many days of sunshine does Shetland Islands get?

Month Average Total February 2 55 March 3 95 April 4.5 130 May

6


180

Why are there no trees on Shetland?

There are numerous shelter belts around the islands and many gardens have a good selection of trees and shrubs. … The real reasons for the lack of trees are

to do with clearance for firewood and the presence of sheep

, which have prevented natural regeneration.

Can anyone live in Shetland?

Eleanor Doughty explores life on Scotland’s myriad beautiful islands. No man is an island, as John Donne wrote, but,

north of the border, you can live on one

.

How long is the shortest day in Shetland?

To connect with Promote Shetland, join Facebook today. Today is the shortest day of the year. At the winter solstice sunrise is at 9.08am and sunset at 2.57pm in Shetland. So the sun is above horizon for just

five hours 49 minutes

which makes the day exactly two hours shorter than in London!

How long is the longest day in Shetland?

On 21 June 2018, sunrise in Shetland – the most northerly point in Scotland – took place at 03.38 and the sun set at 22.34, meaning the longest day of the year was

18 hours, 55 minutes and 30 seconds long

.

How long is the shortest day of the year in Shetland?

December Solstice (Winter Solstice) is on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 3:59 pm in Lerwick (Shetland Islands). In terms of daylight, this day is

13 hours, 6 minutes

shorter than on June Solstice. In most locations north of Equator, the shortest day of the year is around this date.

Is it expensive to live on the Shetland Islands?

Talking to people on the streets of Lerwick, the capital of Shetland, there’s pretty much unanimous agreement.

Living in the islands costs more than living down south – on the Scottish mainland

.

Can you move to Shetland?

The first thing to do before planning a move to Shetland is to see

if you need to apply for a UK visa

. You can do this on the UK government website. For the latest vacancies, see our Jobs in Shetland page. You will need to prove to your employer that you have the right to work in the UK.

Does Shetland get snow?

Question: Does Shetland get a lot of snow? Answer:

No

, but we do get lots of wind. The (relatively) warm sea air means that snow is only occasional during winter, being most common in January & February. When it does fall it rarely stays for long.

Can you see the northern lights in Shetland?


As Shetland lies closer to the North Pole

than any other part of Britain, it’s the best place to see the Northern Lights. … Even if the aurora is present, thick cloud may stop you seeing it.

Are there midges on Shetland?

I have lived in Shetland for 6 years and I have had no problem with midges – it’s

too windy and they are rare

. Do not worry! You will have a great time here!

What language is spoken in the Shetland Islands?

The Shetland language or dialect is described as

Modern Shetlandic Scots (a form of the Scots language)

by some linguists.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.