So, you’re looking at the London 2 week forecast and trying to figure out if you actually need to pack those thermal leggings or if a light trench will do. Honestly, London weather in late January is a bit of a psychological thriller. One minute it’s "mild for the time of year" and the next you're dodging an icy slush-fest on the South Bank.
If you’re planning your life around the next 14 days, basically, don’t trust a single sunny icon you see for more than 48 hours out.
The Immediate Outlook: Grey is a Personality Trait
Right now, as we hit mid-January, London is leaning hard into its classic "grey and damp" aesthetic. For the weekend of January 17-18, we’re looking at highs of around 49°F (9°C) and lows dipping to 43°F (6°C). It’s not "baltic" yet, but with humidity sitting at a staggering 97% today, that dampness gets into your bones.
Expect a lot of "cloudy with a chance of existential dread." Saturday looks particularly stubborn with thick cloud cover and only a 25% chance of rain, but Sunday might throw some light rain into the mix during the evening. It’s that annoying kind of rain—too light for an umbrella, but wet enough to ruin a good blowout.
The Second Week: When it Kinda Gets Real
This is where the forecast gets spicy. Around January 22-23, the mercury starts a slow slide. We’re moving from those relatively comfy 50°F days down toward the mid-40s.
But the real drama happens early the following week. Forecasters at the BBC and the Met Office are keeping a very close eye on Monday, January 26. There is a high degree of uncertainty—which is weathermen-speak for "we aren't 100% sure yet"—but the current models are hinting at sleet and wintry showers.
- Monday, Jan 26: A mix of rain and melted snow (sleet) is likely between 10 am and 11 am.
- The Freeze: Nighttime temperatures are expected to plummet to 34°F (1°C) or even 32°F (0°C).
- The Wind: Southwesterly winds will pick up to about 13 mph, making that 43°F day feel significantly colder.
If you’re commuting, this is the window where "leaves on the line" or "wrong type of snow" starts trending on X. Honestly, London usually just gets a soggy slush rather than a postcard-perfect white blanket, but that slush is arguably more dangerous for your white sneakers.
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Why the 14-Day Outlook is a Moving Target
Predicting British weather two weeks out is basically like trying to guess what a toddler wants for dinner. The UK is currently a literal battleground between mild Atlantic systems coming from the west and cold, high-pressure air trying to push in from the east.
According to the Met Office, if those Atlantic fronts win, we stay in this "mild but messy" pattern. If the eastern high pressure dominates? You’ll be scraping ice off your windshield every morning for the last week of the month.
Survival Guide for the London 2 Week Forecast
If you're out and about, here is the reality of what you'll deal with:
- The "Tube Sweat" Factor: It might be 42°F outside, but the Central Line is still a tropical 85°F. Layers aren't just a fashion choice; they're a survival mechanism.
- UV is Non-Existent: The UV index is currently sitting at 0 or 1. You don’t need sunscreen, but you probably do need some Vitamin D supplements.
- The Sleet Window: Keep an eye on the forecast for Tuesday, January 27. Some models suggest an eight-hour period of sleet. That is prime "stay inside with a hot chocolate" weather.
Looking Toward February
As we approach the end of this two-week window, things don't look like they’re warming up anytime soon. The long-range outlook into early February suggests a continued risk of "wintry hazards." While 2026 is projected to be one of the warmest years globally on record (central estimate of 1.46°C above pre-industrial levels, per Met Office data), London’s local January is staying stubbornly on-brand: cold, wet, and unpredictable.
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Check your apps daily, keep a compact umbrella in your bag (even when it looks sunny), and maybe prepare for some travel disruption on the 26th. If the sleet hits, the city tends to move at half-speed.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Waterproof your shoes this weekend before the rain/sleet mix arrives next week.
- Check the Transport for London (TfL) status updates on Monday the 26th before heading out.
- Plan outdoor activities for Saturday afternoon, which currently looks like the driest window of the next several days.