ClimateForecastDecemberJanuary >>

London Climate by Month

London experiences a temperate maritime climate. This climate type is characterized by a tempered temperature because of the nearby sea water. In summer, the cooler seawater ensures that it is not extremely hot. In winter months, the relatively warm seawater ensures that the risk of extreme cold is much lower.

London has the image always to be wet and gray. But if you look at the whole of the United Kingdom, London is actually one of the most sunny and dry cities in the country. With a quantity of rain that comes out below six hundred millimetres per year, London is drier than for example Rome. With a number of hours of sunshine that averages around fifteen hundred a year, London is not to be called extremely sunny but it is not to bad as well.

Summers have pleasant temperatures with average high temperatures around 23°C and night temperatures of 13°C. Winters in London are cold, but the temperature is hardly below freezing. Snow occurs sometimes in winter but rarely settles more than a few millimetres deep.

Springs is a great period to visit London. During the day it is nice and warm, however in the evenings it is still very cool. In autumn months it can occasionally storm. The rainfall is evenly spread throughout the year.

Average day and night temperature

The climate in London is known for significant temperature differences throughout the year, making the weather dynamic. Average daytime temperatures reach a comfortable 23°C in July. In January, the coolest month of the year, temperatures drop to a chilly 9°C. At night, expect cooler temperatures, averaging 3°C during this month.

The mean minimum and maximum temperatures throughout the year

Precipitation and rainy days

Generally, London receives mid-range precipitation levels, with 716 mm annually. Despite minor fluctuations, London enjoys fairly consistent precipitation throughout the year. In November, you can expect around 68 mm of precipitation, while in March, London receives about 48 mm.

The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail and snow

Sunshine over the year

London can be enjoyed more throughout the sunniest month of July under a blue sky, with approximately 7.3 hours of sunshine daily. In contrast, the city experiences much darker days in December, with only 1.8 hours of sunlight per day.

Monthly hours of sunshine

Daily hours of sunshine

The best time of year to visit London in the United Kingdom

During the months of June, July and August you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20°C and 26°C.

Other facts from our historical weather data:
  • Which is the warmest month in London?
    July has an average maximum temperature of 23°C and is the warmest month of the year.
  • Which is the coldest month in London?
    The coldest month is January with an average maximum temperature of 9°C.
  • Which is the wettest month in London?
    November tops the wettest month list with 68 mm of rainfall.
  • Which is the driest month in London?
    March is the driest month with 48 mm of precipitation.
  • Which is the sunniest month in London?
    July is the sunniest month with an average of 219 hours of sunshine.

  • No idea where to travel to this year? We have a tool that recommends destinations based on your ideal conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

    Forecast for London

    Thu   Dec 12
    8°C | 4°C
    NE 7 km/h
    broken clouds and no rain

    broken clouds and no rain

    Fri   Dec 13
    7°C | 4°C
    E 7 km/h
    overcast and no rain

    overcast and no rain

    Sat   Dec 14
    8°C | 4°C
    NW 14 km/h
    broken clouds and no rain

    broken clouds and no rain