London Temperatures: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights
On this page, we’ll explore London’s temperature statistics in detail, including day and night variations and monthly averages. We’ll also compare the annual temperature to other cities in the United Kingdom.
Monthly Temperature Averages
Visitors to London will encounter a climate influenced by big temperature differences across the year. Typically, maximum daytime temperatures range from a warm 23°C in July to a cold 9°C in the coolest month, January. Nights are cooler, with temperatures generally dropping to 3°C, particularly during the colder months.
The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in London by month:
The minimum temperature is often recorded between 4 AM and 6 AM, while the highest temperature is usually reached at 3 PM. During this time the sun's heating effect is the strongest.
The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:
July, the city’s warmest month, also receives about 60 mm of rainfall spread over roughly 11 days. For more information, please visit our London Precipitation page.
Annual Temperatures in the United Kingdom Compared
The map below shows the annual temperature across the United Kingdom. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
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London Temperatures Compared World Wide
London’s average annual maximum temperature is 15°C. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:
In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual temperature is around 21°C, resulting in warm summers and mild winters throughout the year.
Meanwhile, Queenstown, New Zealand, the average annual temperature is significantly lower at 10°C, with mild summers and cold winters.
Meanwhile, Buenos Aires, Argentina, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with an average annual temperature of 23°C, featuring hot summers and mild winters.
Melbourne, Australia, has a slightly cooler climate, with an average annual temperature of 20°C.
How are these Temperatures Measured?
Generally, temperature data depicting climate is usually given over a 30-year average in order to reduce short-term fluctuations and reveal better long-term trends in climate conditions.
This temperature data is taken from land-based thermometers, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. These measurements are transmitted to weather stations and climate centers around the globe where they are processed, averaged, and analyzed in order to monitor the trends and create climate models.
Temperatures in the Mountains
Although not all regions have mountains, elevated areas exhibit distinct temperature variations.
- Sun Exposure: Sunlit slopes tend to be warmer, while shaded areas remain cooler.
- Altitude Effects: Temperatures drop by approximately 6°C for every 1,000 meters of elevation, creating distinct microclimates.
For more detailed information about London’s weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity levels, visit our London climate page.
Current temperature in London
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