Dundee enjoys driest weather in Scotland

City has fewest rainy days in Scotland per year, along with Edinburgh, according to Met Office statistics

Dundee has been ranked among the driest cities in Scotland, helping to cement its reputation as the country’s sunniest place to live.

Data from the Met Office showed that the City of Discovery has the fewest rainy days per year (124), together with Edinburgh.

The total annual rainfall is slightly higher than in the capital, at 722mm compared to 704mm, but it was still one of the lowest in Scotland.

A spokesman from the Met Office explained that the Atlantic-driven weather system is what makes Dundee drier and sunnier than west coast areas.

Grahame Madge said: “It is all down to the geography of Scotland.

“Most of the weather comes in from the Atlantic, with moist air being forced up toward the western Highlands.

“As the air rises it cools, and when it gets to a certain point it rains – it’s what’s called the orpgraphic effect.

“As a lot of the rain is released in the western regions, by the time the air makes its way over to the lower regions of the east coast, it is drier.

“Dundee is also sheltered by the Cairngorms and other high regions, meaning that it is generally warmer.

“Of course Scotland also has other influences on its weather, but the major influence comes from the Atlantic, so western parts tend to be wetter.”

Glasgow was ranked the wettest city in Scotland, with rainy weather on nearly half of the year (170 days), and 1,124mm of rain per year.

This was followed by Aberdeen, with 139 rainy days and 815mm of rain.

The figures were gathered from the Met Office by rain harvesting systems company Freeflush.

As all who live in the vicinity are well aware, Dundee is a city of eternal sunshine and barely any rainfall. Such a statement may leave some choking on their cornflakes, but new research has suggested the City of Discovery is one of the driest places in Scotland.

It is a fascinating study – and even if you choose to consume its findings along with a small pinch of salt please don’t tell the researchers.

After all, it would be a shame to rain on their parade.

The Atlantic-driven weather system is what makes Dundee drier and sunnier than west coast areas.