Edinburgh has a temperate, maritime climate which is relatively mild considering the city's northern latitude, but may still frustrate new expats with plenty of cold, rain, wind, and fog year round. As in the rest of the UK, the weather in Edinburgh is unpredictable, with sunny summer days sometimes rapidly changing into damp, showery bleakness or vice versa.

Summers can be pleasant, with mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine, although days can start out misty. The average temperatures in summer, between June and August, range between 49°F (9°C) and 66°F (19°C). 

Winters are long, damp, and frosty. The winter months of December, January, and February are the rainiest (although rain is likely in any season), but snow is infrequent. The average winter temperatures range from 34°F (1°C) to 45°F (7°C).

Active expats will want to get in their outdoor exploits during spring and summer, between April and August, as the rest of the year tends to be less conducive to an active lifestyle.