Is it BBQ weather? When it's too cold, wet or windy to barbecue

In short: for a British dad, it's BBQ weather from about 13°C as long as it's dry and not blowing a gale, and properly good from 16°C. Rain doesn't have to stop you, but never move the barbecue indoors, into a tent or into the garage. The box above checks today for your postcode.

Is it BBQ weather today?

It's BBQ weather today if it's at least 13°C, dry and fairly calm in the hours you want to cook. Put your postcode in the box at the top and it'll tell you: on now, on later from a given time, or the next day it looks good. It uses the same BBQ verdict as the app, from five forecasts blended together.

What is good BBQ weather?

Good BBQ weather is dry, still and 16°C or warmer. The sun's a bonus, not a requirement. Calm air matters more than you'd think: a breeze steals heat from the coals and the food, and blows smoke into the neighbours' washing.

What temperature is too cold for a BBQ?

There's no rule, but under about 13°C most people stop enjoying standing outside with tongs. That's where the Weather for Dads BBQ verdict draws the line: from 13°C it's on, and below 16°C it shows amber, meaning it's on but on the cool side. The barbecue itself copes with the cold fine; it just takes longer to get hot and to cook, so allow more time and keep the lid down.

Is it too windy to BBQ?

It's too windy to BBQ when the wind is over about 30 kph, and not much fun from about 20 kph. Wind fans the coals unevenly, cools the food, and sends sparks where you don't want them. In the app, the BBQ goes amber from a 20 kph wind or 40 kph gusts, and off from 30 kph. If you go ahead on a breezy day, keep the barbecue well away from sheds, fences, trees and the hedge.

Can you BBQ in the rain?

Yes, you can BBQ in light rain if the barbecue stays outdoors in the open. A lidded barbecue copes well, and a golf umbrella over the cook does the rest. What you mustn't do is move it somewhere covered and enclosed: Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue warns never to use a barbecue indoors because of the carbon monoxide it gives off, and that opening tent flaps, doors or windows isn't enough to stop it building up. That includes the garage, the shed and the tent.

Can you BBQ in winter?

Yes, you can BBQ in winter, and on a dry, still, frosty day it's surprisingly good fun. Use a barbecue with a lid and keep it shut, because the cold air steals heat fast. Plan on more fuel and more time than in summer, cook in daylight (it's dark by about 4.30pm in December), and clear any ice from where you'll stand. Our BBQ verdict stays off below 13°C, so on a winter day you're on your own, coat zipped up.

Is it too hot to BBQ?

It's too risky to BBQ on dry grass or in parks during a hot, dry spell, even when the weather looks perfect. The London Fire Brigade warned in April 2025 that disposable barbecues are a common cause of grass and land fires, and asked people not to use barbecues in open spaces or on balconies in dry weather. In the garden, put it on a patio or gravel, well away from fences, sheds and hedges, keep a bucket of water or sand next to it, and check your council's rules before taking one to the park.

How do you know if it'll be BBQ weather later?

Check the hours, not the day. A day with "showers" on it can still have a dry, calm evening, and that's all a barbecue needs. The Weather for Dads BBQ chip says NOW if it's on, the time it opens up if that's later today, or the next good day if today's a no. Forecasts are good at this for about three days: we checked in how far ahead the forecast is accurate.

When should you light the BBQ?

Light a charcoal BBQ about half an hour before you want to cook, so it's ready as the dry spell starts. Our rule of thumb is that the coals are ready once they're mostly covered in grey ash, and a gas barbecue needs ten minutes or so to heat up. If the box says BBQ weather from 5pm, light up at 4.30pm. Never use petrol to get it going: fire services warn against it every summer.

What's the best time of year for a BBQ in the UK?

Late May to early September gives the most BBQ-able evenings: the warmest temperatures and the longest light. But British weather doesn't read calendars, and a dry 15°C Saturday in October counts. The trick is watching for the dry, calm windows whenever they come, which is exactly what the BBQ chip is for.