Shetland Climate
Exposed Shores
Image by David Gifford
Although Shetland lies on the same latitude as southern Greenland and southern Alaska the climate is much milder than may be expected due to the insulating effect of the surrounding seas and the warming oceanic current known as the Gulf Stream.
Shetland's high latitude means that in mid-summer the sun does not set for long enough for darkness to fall: calm, clear days at this time of year highlight the beauty of the landscape and provide the possibility of round-the-clock outdoor activity.
In winter, the nights are long and the weather can be unpredictable. However, snow is fairly uncommon and rainfall is much less than on the west coast of the UK mainland. The wind can, occasionally, be quite strong. The spectacular Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, are visible from Shetland during the winter months.
