Cornwall weather from the balmy days of summer to the wave lashed days of winter

What is the weather in Cornwall? Not surprisingly given its location on the southwesterly tip of England, and being surrounded by sea on its north and south coasts, Cornwall is well known for its climate, helped by mild prevailing winds from the west or south westerly driven over the Atlantic Ocean. Indeed the saying often quoted in Cornwall tourist brochures is "spring comes early and autumn lingers longer", with snow and frost in winter exceptionally rare except for inland locations high on Bodmin Moor.

By May temperatures are climbing to a daily maximum of around 14 or 15 C, and Cornwall is alive with the lush growth of Spring. In fact late May and early June are known for their often warm sunny days yet few tourist are able to enjoy the County at what is to many locals one of the nicest times of the year.

Cornwall Sea Temperatures

With the coming of Summer temperatures continue to climb, peaking in July and August. Mean maximum temperatures are at their highest hovering around the 16 to 19 deg. C mark depending on location, inland sheltered locations being highest, though beaches out of any sea breeze are also likely to be real suntraps too. Daytime temperatures in the mid twenties Celsius are often recorded. Nighttime temps rarely dip below 10 degrees in July and August. Sea temperatures in the summer months reach as high as 16 C, with 18 degrees not unheard of in late August or early September in shallow water on an incoming tide.

The coldest months are of course those of Winter - January and February, has daily maximums of around 5 to 7 degrees and average minimums that only dip below zero in inland higher ground locations such as Bodmin Moor. In February the sea is also at its coldest.

May is the sunniest month, with often some of the clearest skies, with over 200 hours of sunshine often recorded during the month in coastal resorts such as Newquay, that is over 8 hours a day. Conversely January sees only 50 or so hours of sunshine on average. Indeed many locations receive over 1600 hours a year or more of sunshine.

Surfing forecast

Days are calmest in August, but average wind speeds pick up noticeably in September and October, offering often good surfing conditions. For those with experience some of the cleanest breaks of the year occur during those two months. Given the number of deep depressions often driven across the Atlantic particularly in autumn and winter, the average number of days in any one year when gale force conditions prevail is surprisingly few - only 20 or so. The strongest winds are usually recorded in January or February, and the sea at its messiest, often blown out-not the best surfing conditions particularly given the sea is coldest at that time- water temperatures down to a chilly 7 or 8 degrees Celsius. Even the hardiest and experienced amongst you will need that 6mm or 7mm full wet suit. Such sea conditions are not for the novice. Cornwall Surfing Forecast

Cornwall Weather Forecast

Cornwall Weather Forecast Cornwall Weather Forecast Met Office | BBC