Alderney has a mild temperate maritime climate with warm summers and mild winters. The weather is generally considered preferable to that on mainland UK. Its slightly more southerly location putting it right between the paths of the northerly Atlantic low pressure systems and the southerly subtropical high pressure systems. It is considered by some to have a subtropical climate, but it really sits on the borderline. Despite being part of the UK, Alderney is much closer to France; it 60 miles from the coast of England and under 10 miles from the coast of Normandie in northern France. It is the northernmost of the Channel Islands that sit in the English Channel.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Summer, from June till September, is quite warm and sunny. The average high temperature increases to 17°C in June and peaks at 19°C in August before getting back down to 17°C in September. It can get into the 20s but the heat is generally tempered by cooling sea winds and high heat is rare. Night times are cool with the average low climbing to 12°C in July, and 14°C for the rest of the season. Rainfall is lowest in the summer months but the odd shower will occur. Sunshine levels are very good at an average of eight hours per day in June and July, getting down to eight for the rest of the season. The sea temperature is just bearable, getting to around 17°C from July till September. As with any
Autumn, in October and November, is cool and often wet. The average high temperature drops to 14°C in October and 11°C in October; the average low to 12°C and 8°C respectively. It rains on more than half of the days in each month. Stormy weather can occur but rain usually falls in moderate showers. It becomes much more overcast and sunshine levels diminish to an average of four hours per day in October and two in November. The sea would be considered by most (sane) people to be too cold for swimming as it gradually drops into the low teens.
Winter, from December till February, is pleasantly mild in comparison to the UK, but could also be described as cool and wet. The average high temperature drops to around 8°C and the average low to around 5°C for most of the season. Frosts are rare, as is snowfall. Rainfall increases in volume though it actually rains less frequently â" this means that it often calls in heavy storms rather than light showers. It can be very windy at this time of year and so conditions are very changeable from moment to moment. Sunshine levels remain at around two hours per day.
Spring, from March till May, is quite dry and bright, and slowly warms up. The average high temperature increases to 12°C in April and 13°C in May, and the average low creeps to 7°C and 9°C respectively. Youâll still need your coat most of the time but later on in the season temperatures can head into the mid teens when the sun is out and the wind drops. Rainfall decreases to the odd light shower and sunshine levels leap up to four hours per day in March, six in April and seven in May. The sea doesnât really get warm enough for a dip, only getting up to an average temperature of 11°C in May.
