Madhumitha Jaganmohan
Research expert covering climate and environmental sustainability
Get in touch with us nowMonthly average daily sun hours in the United Kingdom (UK) 2015-2021
The lowest average daily sun hours in the United Kingdom typically occur in January and December. The highest daily sun hours recorded since 2015 was in May 2020, at an average of 9.7 hours per day. This was an increase of 3.3 hours per day when compared to the 10-year mean for this month.
High levels of monthly sunlight in 2018
Since 2014, the pattern of monthly hours of sunlight remained relatively similar up until 2018. In this year there was a noticeable increase in sunlight hours in May, June and July, with May recording 246 hours of sunlight. The following year the pattern returned to normal, but recorded a significant increase in 2020.
Annual sun hours
The average annual number of daily sun hours in the UK has remained above 4 hours per day since 2001, but has not increased above 5. Daily sun hours were highest in 2003 at 4.9 hours per day. The following years saw sun hours remain at a similar level, until an increase to 4.7 hours in 2018.
High levels of monthly sunlight in 2018
Since 2014, the pattern of monthly hours of sunlight remained relatively similar up until 2018. In this year there was a noticeable increase in sunlight hours in May, June and July, with May recording 246 hours of sunlight. The following year the pattern returned to normal, but recorded a significant increase in 2020.
Annual sun hours
The average annual number of daily sun hours in the UK has remained above 4 hours per day since 2001, but has not increased above 5. Daily sun hours were highest in 2003 at 4.9 hours per day. The following years saw sun hours remain at a similar level, until an increase to 4.7 hours in 2018.
