Will it rain in
Manchester today?
Live hourly rain forecast and run verdict for Manchester, England, UK.
Running in Manchester means accepting that rain is practically a training partner. Whether it's the persistent drizzle rolling in off the Pennines, blustery winds along the Bridgewater Canal, or a rare dry spell that has the whole city outdoors, knowing whether to head out before you lace up matters. RainOrRun checks live conditions in Manchester right now and gives you an instant verdict — plus the best hourly window if the weather's on the fence. We'll also recommend the right gear for whatever Manchester's notoriously damp climate is throwing at you today.
What to wear
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How often does it rain in Manchester?
Manchester records around 1180mm of rain a year, spread across about 192 days — roughly 53% of all days, or 16 days in an average month. That is a genuinely wet climate for running. Rain falls on more days than not in Manchester, so the realistic approach is to run in it rather than around it — which makes a breathable waterproof and good grip the two things worth spending on.
The wettest month is December, averaging 118mm across about 18 rainy days. The driest is April, with 63mm over roughly 12 days. Average lows in January drop to 2°C, cold enough that gloves, a headband and a thermal base layer make a real difference on early runs. Summer highs peak around 20°C in July, comfortable for most daytime running.
Those are ten-year averages, not a forecast. What actually matters on the day is the next twelve hours — which is what the live verdict and hourly strip at the top of this page are for.
| Month | Rainfall | Rainy days | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 102mm | 17 | 7.1°C | 2°C |
| February | 100mm | 16 | 8.3°C | 2.4°C |
| March | 102mm | 16 | 10°C | 3°C |
| April | 63mm | 12 | 12.6°C | 4.2°C |
| May | 74mm | 14 | 16°C | 7.8°C |
| June | 88mm | 15 | 18.9°C | 10.9°C |
| July | 113mm | 19 | 20°C | 12.6°C |
| August | 110mm | 17 | 19.6°C | 12.6°C |
| September | 95mm | 15 | 17.5°C | 10.6°C |
| October | 113mm | 16 | 14.1°C | 8.1°C |
| November | 102mm | 17 | 10°C | 4.8°C |
| December | 118mm | 18 | 8.3°C | 3.7°C |
Historical data: Open-Meteo archive, 2015–2024. A “rainy day” means at least 1mm of precipitation.
Running in Manchester: common questions
Will it rain in Manchester today?
The forecast card at the top of this page shows Manchester's rain probability for the current hour, plus an hour-by-hour breakdown for the rest of the day, using live Open-Meteo data. Historically, Manchester sees rain on about 192 days a year, so on any given day there is roughly a 53% chance of some rain falling.
Is it a good day to run in Manchester?
RainOrRun scores the live Manchester forecast on rain probability, rainfall amount, temperature, wind speed and severe weather, then returns a single verdict: Go, Maybe, or Don't Bother. A Maybe means conditions are borderline and it is worth picking your window rather than skipping the run.
What is the best time to run in Manchester today?
The hourly strip above highlights the best single window of the day for Manchester — the hour combining the lowest rain probability with the most comfortable temperature. You can also check up to eight days ahead using the date picker if you are planning a long run or a race.
What should I wear running in Manchester today?
The gear section on this page updates with the live Manchester forecast: a waterproof jacket and peaked cap when rain probability goes above 40%, a thermal base layer and gloves below 8 degrees Celsius, and a high-vis vest when wind or low light make you harder to see.
What is the wettest month in Manchester?
December is the wettest month in Manchester, averaging 118mm of rain across about 18 rainy days. April is the driest, with around 63mm over roughly 12 days. Figures are ten-year averages covering 2015 to 2024.
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