Midge map Today
- Very Low0–19
- Low20–39
- Moderate40–59
- High60–79
- Very High80–100
Midge kit
Midge protection essentials
Midge levels look low around Lerwick (Shetland) this week, but a still, damp evening changes everything. These live in our rucksack from May to September.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price you pay.
7-day midge forecast for Lerwick (Shetland)
| Day | Midge level | Worst hour | Best time outdoors | Dusk | Temp | Wind | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today27 Sep | 0Very Low | 04:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 0 18:50 | 10–14°C | 17–29 mph | 12 mm |
| Tomorrow28 Sep | 4Very Low | 19:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 6 18:47 | 10–13°C | 9–18 mph | 0 mm |
| Tuesday29 Sep | 4Very Low | 06:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 0 18:44 | 11–13°C | 10–23 mph | 0 mm |
| Wednesday30 Sep | 0Very Low | 04:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 0 18:41 | 13–15°C | 21–27 mph | 7.6 mm |
| Thursday1 Oct | 20Low | 18:00 | 07:00–18:00 | 22 18:38 | 9–15°C | 2–10 mph | 2.1 mm |
| Friday2 Oct | 7Very Low | 06:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 3 18:35 | 10–15°C | 8–22 mph | 0 mm |
| Saturday3 Oct | 9Very Low | 18:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 9 18:32 | 10–13°C | 7–16 mph | 4.8 mm |
Nearby places
Midges vary a lot over short distances. Here is the forecast nearby for Today.
Midges in Orkney & Shetland
The Northern Isles are famously kind to midge-dodgers. Constant wind, few trees and lots of open ground keep numbers low, so Orkney and Shetland are usually among the best places in Scotland to escape midges, although sheltered spots can still bite on rare still, muggy evenings.
Midge hotspots
- Sheltered valleys such as Hoy's glens on calm evenings
Where to escape them
- Almost anywhere with a breeze: cliffs, beaches and the Orkney mainland
When are midges worst in Orkney & Shetland?
The typical midge level week by week, from our model run over 2023, 2024, 2025 weather at Kirkwall (Orkney).
Midgiest weeks: w/c 27 Jul, w/c 20 Jul, w/c 31 Aug.
Free midge alerts
Get the forecast in your inbox
Pick a place and how you want to hear from us. Alerts only run during midge season (late April to October), every email has a one-click unsubscribe, and we never share your address.
Lerwick (Shetland) midge FAQ
Are the midges bad in Lerwick (Shetland) right now?
Today's forecast for Lerwick (Shetland) is Very Low (0/100). Best time outdoors: 07:00–21:00. The forecast updates every three hours.
When is midge season in Lerwick (Shetland)?
As across most of Scotland, midges in Orkney & Shetland are usually active from late May until September, peaking in July and August. Calm, damp, overcast evenings are the worst.
Where can I avoid midges in Orkney & Shetland?
Head for breezy, open ground. Local options include: Almost anywhere with a breeze: cliffs, beaches and the Orkney mainland. Midges struggle to fly in more than a light breeze.