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Should I open the windows in Glasgow right now?

Live decision for Glasgow. Updated every 30 minutes.

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Read next Airing in winter: how much heat do you really lose? Work it out for your home with our calculator. Read next When to open windows in summer The hours that cool your home fastest.

Ventilation guide for Glasgow

Glasgow has an oceanic climate — mild temperatures year-round with persistent maritime moisture and more rain than continental cities. The advantage is stability: outdoor temperatures rarely create the extremes that make ventilation dangerous. The main challenge is humidity: on many days, outdoor relative humidity reaches 75–90%, and opening windows in warm, humid weather can increase indoor moisture rather than improving comfort. The key judgment is distinguishing temperature from comfort — 18°C at 85% humidity feels refreshing briefly but raises indoor dew point, risking condensation over time.

Summer evenings and nights are typically the best ventilation window in Glasgow: temperatures drop to 13–18°C, Atlantic or coastal breezes lower humidity, and outdoor air is consistently cleaner than during daytime traffic hours. Winter ventilation requires burst opening rather than continuous exposure: the combination of cold (1–7°C) and high humidity means extended open windows bring damp cold air that costs significant energy to reheat. OpenWindow.live accounts for both temperature and humidity in its decision, flagging high-humidity conditions where ventilation should be limited or done briefly.

Glasgow: climate and the best hours to open the windows

In July, the warmest month in Glasgow, afternoons reach 19 °C on average and nights fall to 12 °C. The coolest air arrives between 04:00 and 07:00 (12 °C on average): that is when opening the windows cools the home fastest.

In January, the coldest month, air the rooms for 5–10 minutes around 15:00, the mildest hour (5 °C on average). Average humidity is 88%, so short, wide-open airing keeps condensation and mould away without losing much heat.

Fine particles (PM2.5) are usually lowest around 15:00 (6 µg/m³) and highest around 23:00 (8 µg/m³).

MonthAvg highAvg lowHumidityCoolest hoursPM2.5
January6 °C1 °C88%07:00–10:007
February8 °C3 °C84%07:00–10:008
March10 °C3 °C81%05:00–08:009
April12 °C4 °C76%05:00–08:008
May16 °C8 °C77%04:00–07:008
June18 °C10 °C76%03:00–06:006
July19 °C12 °C79%04:00–07:005
August19 °C12 °C80%04:00–07:005
September17 °C10 °C83%05:00–08:007
October13 °C8 °C85%06:00–09:007
November9 °C4 °C88%07:00–10:008
December7 °C3 °C89%07:00–10:007

Data: Open-Meteo historical archive, hourly averages 2021–2025 (air quality 2023–2025), local time.

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Frequently asked questions

When is it best to open windows in Glasgow?

In Glasgow, the best ventilation times are typically early morning (5–8 AM) and late evening (after sunset) when outdoor temperatures drop below indoor levels.

Is it safe to leave windows open at night in Glasgow?

Yes, in most weather conditions. Open windows can drop indoor temperature by 2–5°C in 30 minutes if outdoor air is cooler. Check the live recommendation above for tonight.

What outdoor humidity is too high for ventilation?

Above 80% humidity, opening windows can make indoor air feel sticky. Combine with dehumidifier or wait for drier hours.