Weather

Given just how far north it lies you might expect Edinburgh's climate to be colder than it is, but the Gulf Stream (a warm Atlantic current) keeps the prevailing westerly winds pleasantly mild. May and June are generally the best bet for dry, sunny weather with average temperatures between 6-16°C (61-43°F), but you can expect rain at any time. The weather changes quickly too - a rainy morning can often be followed by a sunny afternoon. A distinctive feature of Edinburgh's weather is the 'haar' - a dense, chilly fog that often blows in from the North Sea when the wind is in the east. You can usually escape it by heading just a few miles inland.