Editing South Ayrshire (section)

==Geography==
{{multiple image|total_width = 250
| align             = left
| direction         = vertical
| image1            = Firth of Clyde at Pinbain - geograph.org.uk - 3245790.jpg
| alt1              = Firth of Clyde at Pinbain
| caption1          = South Ayrshire coastline on the [[Firth of Clyde]].
| image2            = Turnberry Sundown - geograph.org.uk - 5274856.jpg
| alt2              = South Ayrshire coastline with Ailsa Craig
| caption2          = South Ayrshire coastline showing [[Ailsa Craig]] in the background.
}}

Geographically, South Ayrshire is located on the western coast of Scotland, sharing borders with neighbouring local authorities [[East Ayrshire]], [[Dumfries and Galloway]] and [[North Ayrshire]]. The climate in South Ayrshire, typical of that in western Scotland, is milder than that of eastern Scotland due to the stronger maritime influence, as the prevailing winds blow from the sea into South Ayrshire, which is located primarily on the western coast of Scotland. The warm [[Gulf Stream]] also has a strong influence on western Scotland. With winds mainly blowing from the sea the annual mean temperatures are in the range {{convert|9.5|to|9.9|°C|°F}} in coastal areas of South Ayrshire such as [[Ayr]] and [[Troon]].

The sea reaches its lowest temperature in February or early March so that on average February is the coldest month in some coastal parts of South Ayrshire along with the [[Rhins of Galloway]], [[Kintyre]] and the [[Hebrides]]. In February the mean daily minimum temperature varies from about 2&nbsp;°C in most of the islands, 1 to 2&nbsp;°C along most of the Solway Firth and lowland inland areas, but less than &minus;1&nbsp;°C in parts of the Southern Uplands and central Highlands. Inland, where the influence of the sea is less, January is the coldest month with mean daily minimum temperatures generally between −3 and 0&nbsp;°C.<ref name="metoffice.gov.uk">{{OGL-attribution|version=3.0|{{cite web|url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/regional-climates/ws|title=Western Scotland: climate|website=Met Office}}}}</ref>

The number of hours of natural sunshine in South Ayrshire is controlled by the length of day and by cloudiness. In general, December is the dullest month and May or June the sunniest. Sunshine duration decreases with increasing altitude, increasing latitude and distance from the coast. Local topography also exerts a strong influence and in the winter deep glens and north-facing slopes can be in shade for long periods. Industrial pollution and smoke haze can also reduce sunshine amounts, but the decline in heavy industry in the Ayrshire area, primarily in Ayr in South Ayrshire along with Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire, has resulted in an increase in sunshine duration particularly in the winter months.<ref name="metoffice.gov.uk"/>

Average annual rainfall totals range from less than {{convert|1000|mm|abbr=on}} in the upper Clyde valley and along the coasts of Ayrshire and [[Dumfries and Galloway]] to on average over {{convert|3500|mm|abbr=on}} over the higher parts of the west Highlands, approaching the maximum values found in the UK (over {{convert|4000|mm|disp=or|abbr=off}} further north).<ref name="metoffice.gov.uk"/>