United Kingdom Weather & Climate: Monthly Averages

The United Kingdom has a temperate oceanic climate, with plentiful rainfall all year round. The temperature varies with the seasons but seldom drops below -10°C (14°F) or rises above 35°C (95°F). The prevailing wind is from the south-west, bearing frequent spells of mild and wet weather from the Atlantic Ocean.

Summer in the United Kingdom

In general, summers in the UK can be very pleasant. The average maximum daytime temperature in London lies around 24°C (74°F) in July.

Rainfall and Regional Differences

There is a significant difference in the distribution of precipitation: the south-west and north-west of England are a lot wetter than the eastern part. The average amount of annual precipitation in Lowestoft (Suffolk) is 630 mm (25 in) compared to 1297 mm (51 in) in Bala (Gwynedd). In the north-west, it is mainly the hills and mountains that receive large amounts of rainfall. The Lake District is the wettest area of England. Fog and clouds quickly complete the gray picture in this area, making this part of the country resemble the incorrect image that many people have about the weather in the UK.

Winter Conditions

Winters are fairly mild. In many places, maximum temperatures are well above freezing on most days, and the number of nights with frost is not very high. However, if cold polar air arrives from the north, temperatures in England can drop significantly, leading to more frequent frost. Snowfall is rare since temperatures often do not get cold enough, but when it does snow, locally significant amounts may fall, sometimes causing traffic problems.

Wind and Storms

England often experiences strong winds, especially in the higher regions in the north, where the chance of storms is high. Another place where the wind regularly prevails is the south-west of England. In the worst storms, the wind can reach force 10 or 11 (heavy to hurricane-like), and occasionally even hurricane force (wind force 12) is recorded.