The Yorkshire Weather Guide
If you’ve ever been to Yorkshire — or you’re planning a trip up or over ’ere — you’ll need to know two extremely important things:
Yorkshire tea is always strong enough to revive the dead.
The weather changes faster than a toddler’s mood.
To help southerners, tourists and those of us who are permanently confused, I’ve put together this month-by-month guide to Yorkshire weather — including what you should wear, what you’ll actually end up wearing, and how to interpret the famous Yorkshire Stone Weather Forecast.
Imagine a stone sat on top of your garden wall. That’s our weather station. Trust it. It’s more accurate than the BBC.
January:
It’s dark. It’s damp. It’s cold. The sort of cold that sneaks into your bones and sets up camp in your joints. You will be reaching for that tube of Deep Heat
What to wear: Bring your big coat. It’s Yorkshire cold, not southern cold — you won’t know what’s hit you when you step outside. Thick socks are essential (the sort from a ski shop in Alaska, not Amazon), and make sure you pack a woolly hat. The bigger the bobble — the better.
Stone Forecast: If the stone is frozen solid — perfect ice scraper. (But do not use it on your car windows!)
February:
Like January… but we’re fair grumpier.
What to wear: Same as January, with an extra jumper under your big coat. Put an extra coat on the dog too. And bring a raincoat.
Stone Forecast: If the stone is rattling — wind’s strong enough to send your wheelie bin to Whitby.
March:
Hope briefly arrives. Sunshine appears, fools everyone, disappears.
What to wear: Layers. Loads of ’em. You’ll take them off at 10am and put them all back on at 11. Bring a raincoat. Don’t forget one for the dog.
Stone Forecast: If the stone is wet but the sky is blue — classic Yorkshire prank weather.
April:
Rain. Sun. Hail. Rain again. Sometimes all at once — no one else does it like we do.
What to wear: Waterproof everything. Coats, wellies, waterproof trousers, maybe waders. If you’re wearing it, Yorkshire weather will soak it. Lifejackets for kids recommended.
Stone Forecast: If the stone is underwater — it’s April.
May:
“Don’t stop believing.”
We already have, but you don’t have to.
The month we think summer might happen. Birds sing. Barbecues appear. We get sunburn in 9°C.
What to wear: T-shirt (never too early), shorts (worn 365 days a year here), goosebumps, and yes — bring a raincoat.
Stone Forecast: If the stone is slightly warm — Yorkshire celebration day.
June:
Light nights, warm days, and everyone suddenly starts gardening.
What to wear: Anything summery, plus a cardigan for emergencies. Raincoat too.
Stone Forecast: If the stone is dry — take photos. Could be the last time this year.
July:
At last — summer! Well… sometimes. Occasionally. For a bit.
What to wear: Shorts, sunglasses, factor 500, and a raincoat.
Stone Forecast: If the stone is too hot to sit on — miracle.
August:
Hot and wet at the same time. Sunshine for days — until you plan a day out. Then it lashes it down.
What to wear: Clothes you can run to the car in. Quickly. Raincoat, wellies, maybe a scarf.
Stone Forecast: If the stone has vanished — hurricane… or someone’s nicked it.
September:
Beautiful golden days… followed by fog thick enough to lose your own legs in.
What to wear: Light jumper, then a big jumper, then a bigger one, then back to light jumper. Raincoat (just in case).
Stone Forecast: If the stone is damp around the edges with a leaf on top — autumn has clocked in.
October:
Wind. Leaves. More wind. More leaves. Trees bending sideways. Bins halfway down the street and everyone out looking for theirs.
What to wear: A hood that works — not the decorative one that flips inside-out. Bring a raincoat (and a spare). Do not bring a brolly unless you’re Mary Poppins.
Stone Forecast: If the stone is spinning — hold onto your dog.
November:
Cold again, but with fireworks. Rain with attitude.
What to wear: Gloves (you’ll lose them), a spare pair, thick hat, misery-coat. And yes… raincoat.
Stone Forecast: If the stone is glowing — someone’s set a sparkler off too close.
December:
Magical. Freezing. Beautiful. Miserable. Usually all at once.
What to wear: Hideous Christmas jumper, thermal socks, and that raincoat your mum keeps reminding you to take.
Stone Forecast: If the stone has snow on top — stunning. Until you have to drive.
Final Yorkshire Weather Advice
Here in Yorkshire, we’re proud that we can treat you to the four seasons in a day. No matter the month, always carry:
A coat
A raincoat (did I mention this?)
A scarf
A woolly hat wi’ a big pom-pom
Sunglasses
An umbrella
A spare umbrella
Welly boots
Spare underwear
And most importantly —you had best bring a strong sense of humour
Because in Yorkshire, the weather isn’t something you predict — it’s something you survive.
Despite all that, we wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s part of the charm, part of the character, and part of what makes Yorkshire… well, Yorkshire.
Fancy a visit? Bring a raincoat. You’ll be reyt.