Weather in Fishbourne

Climate, seasons, and what to expect on the coastal plain

Fishbourne benefits from the mild maritime climate of the south coast, with warmer winters and cooler summers than areas further inland. The village sits on the low-lying coastal plain, sheltered from the worst of the north and east winds by the South Downs, and moderated by the proximity of the sea.

Average winter temperatures are around five to seven degrees Celsius, with frost less frequent than in inland Sussex or Hampshire. Snow is rare and seldom settles for long. Summers are warm, with average July temperatures of twenty to twenty-two degrees, though hot spells can push the thermometer above thirty. The coastal breeze moderates the hottest days.

Rainfall is moderate, typically around 700 to 750 millimetres per year, which is below the English average. The driest months are usually April to June, and the wettest are October to January. The flat terrain means that the rain that does fall can sit on the surface, contributing to the drainage issues that affect parts of the village.

Wind is a factor, particularly in winter when south-westerly gales can bring rough weather to the harbour and the coastal plain. The exposure is less severe than on the open coast at places like Selsey or West Wittering, but the harbour and the flat landscape mean that wind is a more noticeable feature of daily life than it would be in a sheltered inland village.

The weather on the coastal plain is generally pleasant and allows for outdoor activity throughout the year. The mild climate is one of the reasons that gardening thrives here and that the harbour shore is walkable even in winter.