The average annual temperature is 11.6 °C (for comparison the average in London is 11.0°C). Winters are amongst the warmest in the country due to southerly latitude and moderating effects of the ocean. Summers are not as warm as on the mainland.

This is perhaps the sunniest area in the UK with on average 7.6 hours per day in July.

On average there are less than 2 days of air frost per year. This balmy climate has resulted in the islands developing a thriving flower industry.