Cambridge in August
What to expect
In Cambridge, August sits in late summer, with a clear seasonal rhythm running through the month. Most days land in a mild, easygoing zone, with evenings that ease back comfortably. You get long daylight windows for full-day exploring. Comfort is usually predictable, so a standard day plan works well.
August in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Cambridge.
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 14.6 h
- UV index (max)
- 6
- Typical sun hours
- 04:44 - 19:21
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 14 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 64%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 73%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for August. Typical high 22.3°C and low 13.7°C.
Typical disruptions in August
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in August.
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 12% of days (3.7 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.7 days / month
~12% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.7 days / month
- Probability ~12% of days
- Intensity Up to ~22mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 5% of days (1.5 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.5 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.5 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~81km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 12% of days (3.9 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.9 days / month
~12% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.9 days / month
- Probability ~12% of days
- Intensity Up to ~22mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.6 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.6 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~34°C (P95)
Hot days are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Show all disruptions (17 more)
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.6 days/month in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.6 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.6 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~23mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~71km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 5% of days (1.4 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.4 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.4 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~28mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.3 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.3 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~36°C (P95)
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 62% of days (19.3 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
19.3 days / month
~62% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 19.3 days / month
- Probability ~62% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~19 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 60% of days (18.7 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
18.7 days / month
~60% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 18.7 days / month
- Probability ~60% of days
- Intensity Up to ~12mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~19 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 43% of days (13.3 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
13.3 days / month
~43% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 13.3 days / month
- Probability ~43% of days
- Intensity Up to ~65km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~13 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 41% of days (12.7 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
12.7 days / month
~41% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 12.7 days / month
- Probability ~41% of days
- Intensity Up to ~16h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~13 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 30% of days (9.2 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
9.2 days / month
~30% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 9.2 days / month
- Probability ~30% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~9 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 24% of days (7.5 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.5 days / month
~24% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.5 days / month
- Probability ~24% of days
- Intensity Up to ~17h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~7 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 19% of days (6.0 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
6.0 days / month
~19% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 6.0 days / month
- Probability ~19% of days
- Intensity Up to ~91% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~6 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.5 days / month
~8% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.5 days / month
- Probability ~8% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 2% of days (0.8 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.8 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.8 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~34km/h (P95)
Breezy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~93% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~93 (P95)
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~19°C (P95)
Humid conditions are possible on ~0 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 0.1 days/month in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.1 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.1 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~33°C (P95)
Heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Frequently asked questions
Is August a good time to visit Cambridge?
Typical August days in Cambridge reach highs of 22°C (72°F) with nights around 13°C (55°F). It usually feels mild by day and cool after dark. It is among the wetter months, so it is wise to have some indoor backup plans or flexible activities.
What are temperatures like in August?
In August, you can usually expect highs of 22°C (72°F) and lows near 13°C (55°F). That means mild days and cool nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.
How much does it rain in August?
Rainfall in August averages 59 mm (2.3 in) across roughly 14 days. Overall it is a very wet time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.
How many hours of daylight are there in August?
You can expect about 15 hours of daylight in August. Sunrise is typically around 04:44 and sunset near 19:21. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.
How strong is the sun in August?
UV levels are often high (around 6). Regular sunscreen and a hat are recommended.
Is it windy in August?
In August, average wind speeds are around 14 km/h (9 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 54 km/h (34 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.