Although a relatively small catchment, it is climatically diverse from the Cairngorm mountains to the North Sea; temperature, rainfall and other weather conditions can vary greatly. The results of an Angus-wide Climate Risk & Vulnerability Assessment are due for publication in 2026.  This will provide a greater understanding of catchment specific climate change at 2°c and 4 °c temperature increase above pre-industrial levels across a range of weather event scenarios.

The following information provides a snapshot of climatic conditions from across the catchment. 

Temperature

January is typically the coldest month in Angus with an average daytime temperature of ~6/7°c. July is the warmest month with an average daytime temperature of ~18/19°c.

Sunshine

Eastern Scotland typically sees the most sunshine in Scotland. It is possible to experience up to 10 hours of sunshine per day in July, however if sea fog or 'haar' blows inland from the North Sea, it will block out the sun and lead to a dramatic difference in temperature between coastal and upland areas.

Rainfall

Unsurprisingly, the mountainous western Highlands typically experiences the highest rainfall in Scotland with ~3,000 mm per year, making it one of the wettest places in Europe.  In contrast, Scotland’s east coast is considerably drier with as little as 800 mm per year. Because the headwaters of catchment begin in the mountains, we see a significant difference in rainfall between the upper and lower catchment. 

Snowfall

Snowfall typically occurs November to April, although the Cairngorms may experience snowfall in September, right through until May. The lower, coastal areas of the catchment rarely experience significant snowfall.

Wind

Eastern Scotland is one of the windier parts of the UK, due to its proximity to the track of Atlantic depressions. The frequency and strength of these depressions is greatest during winter, particularly from December to February; this is when average wind speeds and gusts are at their highest. Coastal areas of the catchment can experience significant wind chill at this time due to winds traveling south from the Arctic.

The relatively dry climate and long, sunny days together with fertile soils, provide the ideal growing conditions for crops and is the reason arable farming is extensive across eastern Scotland. Climate change is expected to negatively impact farming by reducing water availability in summer, increasing the risk of wildfires and increasing the prevalence of pest species as frost days decrease. The growing season however, is likely to extend which means we are likely to see an increase in the range of crops grown in the area.