So, you’re looking at the London sky and wondering if you actually need that heavy parka or just a sturdy umbrella. Honestly, London weather is a bit of a tease. One minute you're squinting at a rare sunbeam hitting the Shard, and the next, you’re dodging a freezing sleet shower near Waterloo. If you've been checking the extended forecast for london england lately, you might have noticed some pretty wild predictions floating around for late January and February 2026.
There’s been some chatter about a "major blizzard" hitting the capital. While it makes for a great headline, the reality of London’s microclimate is usually a lot more nuanced—and, frankly, a lot more damp.
The Reality of the January "Blizzard"
Let’s talk about that late January outlook. Some models, specifically the ECMWF (that’s the European one the experts track), have been showing a potential for a wintry blast around January 26. We’re talking about a setup where cold air from the east tries to muscle out the milder Atlantic winds. You’ve probably heard it called "Beast from the East" vibes, but it’s not a done deal yet.
Met Office meteorologist Liam Eslick recently pointed out that while there’s a "slight possibility" of those easterly winds bringing a chill, it’s just as likely that milder southern air will win the tug-of-war. For those of us living here, that basically means we're stuck in the "wait and see" zone. If the cold air wins, London could see a few inches of snow or—more likely—four days of that annoying, slushy sleet that turns the pavements into a skating rink.
Current stats for the rest of January show:
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- Average highs sitting around 7°C to 9°C.
- Nighttime lows hovering just above freezing at 2°C.
- About 16 days of some kind of rainfall throughout the month.
It’s not exactly the Arctic, but it’s the kind of damp cold that gets into your bones. The humidity in London during January is often around 95%, which makes 5°C feel a lot colder than it looks on paper.
February: More of the Same or a Spring Surprise?
Moving into February 2026, the extended forecast for london england suggests we’re in for a bit of a transition. Historically, February is actually one of the driest months in London, but "dry" is a relative term here. You’re still looking at about 12 days of rain, but the total volume is lower—roughly 37mm for the whole month.
The days start getting noticeably longer, which is a massive win for everyone's mental health. By the end of February, we gain nearly two hours of daylight compared to the start of the month. You’ll see the sun setting closer to 5:40 PM instead of the 4:50 PM gloom we deal with in early February.
Temperatures usually hold steady:
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- Daytime max: 7°C to 8°C.
- Daytime min: 2°C.
- Sunshine: A measly 2 hours a day on average.
Most people expect February to be the "deep winter" month, but it’s often just a gray bridge to March. However, 2026 has a bit of a wildcard. There’s a weak La Niña pattern in play this year. Usually, La Niña increases the risk of a cold start to winter but can lead to a milder, more "westerly" end. This might mean February ends up being windier and wetter than the historical average.
Why London Rarely Gets "Real" Snow
You might wonder why the rest of the UK gets buried in white while London just gets wet. It’s mostly the Urban Heat Island effect. All those concrete buildings, the Underground, and millions of people generate a bubble of heat. Often, the temperature in Central London is 2°C or 3°C higher than in the home counties like Surrey or Hertfordshire.
That small gap is the difference between a winter wonderland and a miserable rainy commute.
For the extended forecast for london england to actually deliver snow that sticks, we need a very specific setup: high pressure over Scandinavia blocking the Atlantic weather and dragging bone-dry, freezing air across the North Sea. Even then, the moisture the air picks up over the sea often turns to "sea fret" or light flurries by the time it reaches the M25.
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What to Actually Pack and Prepare For
If you’re planning a trip or just trying to survive the commute, don’t obsess over the "snow" warnings. Focus on the damp.
- The Layering Rule: You want a waterproof outer shell. Not "water-resistant"—waterproof. London rain is often fine and persistent; it finds every gap in a wool coat.
- Footwear: Leave the suede at home. The salt used on the roads to prevent ice will ruin them in a single afternoon.
- The "Brolly" vs. Hood Debate: Honestly, London wind kills umbrellas. A good parka with a deep hood is usually more practical for navigating the crowds at Oxford Circus.
Looking Further Ahead
The Met Office's long-term outlook for 2026 suggests this will be another year where global temperatures are significantly above pre-industrial levels—likely 1.46°C higher. This doesn't mean we won't have cold snaps, but it does mean the "baseline" is warmer. Cold spells are becoming shorter and less frequent, even if they feel intense when they happen.
By the time we hit mid-February, the focus usually shifts from "will it snow?" to "when will the daffodils in St. James's Park show up?"
Keep an eye on the jet stream. If it stays north, we’re looking at a mild, showery end to the winter. If it dips south, grab the gloves.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the 48-hour window: For London, anything beyond 5 days is a "trend," not a fact. Check the Met Office or BBC Weather app 48 hours before your plans for the most reliable precipitation timing.
- Monitor the "Feels Like" temperature: In London’s humidity, the raw Celsius number is a lie. If it says 6°C but the wind is coming from the North, it’ll feel like 1°C.
- Plan for indoor backups: January and February are prime museum months. If the forecast looks particularly "gray and drizzly," head to the Tate Modern or the British Museum where the climate control is a lot more predictable than the London sky.