Anglesey has a mild temperate climate with all four seasons and no extremes of temperature. Sitting off the northwest coast of Wales the island is subject to the brunt of the Atlanticâs westerly winds, only very slightly protected by Ireland. These make it cooler and wetter than more easterly regions of the UK.
Summer, from mid June till mid September, could only be called summer by the Brits. Luckily, Anglesey has a beautiful, hilly green landscape to explore and the mild summer is perfect for the hiking, climbing and cycling that are so suited to this place. The average high temperature sidles up to 15°C in June, peaks at 17°C in July and August and slouches to 16°C in September. Night times see average lows of 12°C in the hottest months of summer.
Rainfall levels are low for the area at the start of the month but rain is still frequent and quite heavy. It increases in August and September. Sunshine levels are best at the beginning of the season at six hours per day and not awful by the end of the season at four hours per day. The sea temperature peaks in August at 16°C, which is debatably warm enough for swimming.
Autumn, in October and November, is cool and wet. The average high temperature drops to 13°C in October and 10°C in November and night times become positively chilly. The clouds hustle in, bargaining the sun down to a measly two hours per day in November. It rains all the time. Bring your coat, your wellies, your laminated maps.
Winter, between December and February, is technically mild but is no more pleasant for this label. The average high temperature drops to 7°C which is chilly but the average lows only gets to 3°C. It can get down to freezing; frosts regularly develop away from the shore but snow is uncommon and rarely settles for long. The clouds rob the sky of sun for all but one hour per day in December and January, slackening its hold in February when three hours per day can be expected. Rainfall levels decrease but rain still falls in a persistent drizzle on most days.
Spring, from March till May, is a cool improvement. The temperature climbs slowly, getting to an average high of 13°C in May; night times remain cold though frosts rarely occur. However, sunshine levels steadily increase and rainfall lessens. The sea does not get anywhere near warm enough for swimming but visitors return to the hills.
Anglesey is perhaps not the best place for a winter break but throughout the rest of the year if youâre sensible about your clothing thereâs plenty of fun to be had. What would fell walking in the British Isles be if not for the mud?