Editing Outer Hebrides (section)

== Climate ==

The Outer Hebrides have a cool temperate climate that is remarkably mild and steady for such a northerly [[latitude]], due to the influence of the [[North Atlantic Current]]. The average temperature is 6&nbsp;°C (44&nbsp;°F) in January and 14&nbsp;°C (57&nbsp;°F) in summer. The average annual rainfall in Lewis is {{convert|1100|mm|in}} and sunshine hours range from 1,100 to 1,200 per year. The summer days are relatively long and May to August is the driest period.<ref>Thompson (1968) pp.&nbsp;24–26</ref> Winds are a key feature of the climate and even in summer there are almost constant breezes. According to the writer [[W. H. Murray]] if a visitor asks an islander for a weather forecast "he will not, like a mainlander answer dry, wet or sunny, but quote you a figure from the [[Beaufort Scale]]."<ref>Murray (1973) p. 79</ref> There are gales one day in six at the [[Butt of Lewis]] and small fish are blown onto the grass on top of 190&nbsp;metre (620&nbsp;ft) high cliffs at [[Barra Head]] during winter storms.<ref>Murray (1973) pp.&nbsp;79–81</ref>