Honestly, if you're standing on a street corner in Westminster or trying to figure out if you need that extra thermal layer for a walk through Hyde Park, the only thing that matters is the bite in the air. Right now, the temperature in London is 48°F.
It’s one of those classic January nights where the humidity is sitting at a heavy 95%, making that 48 degrees feel a lot more damp and bone-chilling than the number suggests. We’ve got a light 4 mph wind coming in from the east, and the sky is completely cloudy. Basically, it’s typical London—grey, muffled, and just a bit nippy.
Is 48°F Normal for London in January?
Most people think London is a frozen wasteland in the winter. Kinda isn't. While the "Beast from the East" memories still haunt locals, the reality is usually much milder due to the urban heat island effect and the Gulf Stream.
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Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, we saw a high of 51°F. That’s actually a couple of degrees warmer than the long-term historical average for this specific date, which usually hovers around 47°F. We are looking at a low of 42°F tonight.
You've probably noticed that the air feels "heavy." That's the 91% average humidity we're dealing with today. In London, the cold doesn't usually hit you with a sharp snap; it’s a slow, damp soak that gets into your coat if you aren't wearing something water-resistant.
What to Expect Over the Next Few Days
If you're planning your week, don't put away the umbrella. Here is the breakdown of what’s coming:
- Monday, Jan 19: Expect more of the same. A high of 51°F and a low of 43°F. It'll be cloudy with a 20% chance of rain.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: Things start to get a bit breezier. Winds will kick up to 13 mph from the southeast. We’re looking at light rain in the evening with a high of 49°F.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: This is likely your wettest day. Rain chances jump to 40% during the day, with temperatures holding steady at 48°F.
Interestingly, looking further ahead toward the end of next week, there’s a noticeable dip. By Sunday, January 25, the high drops to 42°F, and there’s even a 10% chance of snow overnight. The Met Office and BBC Weather have been hinting at a "battle" between milder Atlantic air and colder pressure from the east. It looks like the east might win by the time we hit the final days of January.
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Practical Advice for Navigating the London Damp
Since the UV index is 0 (standard for a London winter), you don't need to worry about sun protection. You do, however, need to worry about the "London seep."
- Layering is King: A wool mid-layer under a windproof shell is better than one massive puffer jacket. When you hop on the Tube, the temperature spikes significantly, and you'll want to shed layers fast to avoid sweating in the 70-degree stations.
- Footwear Matters: With humidity at 95% and rain always a possibility, leather or treated canvas shoes are a must. Soggy socks are the quickest way to ruin a trip to the Tate Modern.
- The Wind Chill Factor: Even though the wind is only 4 mph right now, it's coming from the east. That usually brings a drier, sharper cold than the southwesterly winds we get most of the year.
The current conditions are "cloudy," and that’s likely to stay the theme for the foreseeable future. If you're looking for that iconic London fog, you're more likely to just get this high-humidity mist that we're seeing tonight.
Keep an eye on the transition toward the end of the month. While it's 48°F right now, the shift toward 37°F by the following Tuesday (Jan 27) with a chance of light snow means the mild start to the year is definitely coming to an end.
Grab a heavy coat, keep an umbrella in your bag, and maybe find a pub with a real fire. That’s the only real way to handle a London January.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your footwear for water resistance before heading out for a long walk. If you're commuting, carry a light scarf; even at 48°F, the damp air can cause a persistent chill around the neck during stationary waits for buses or trains.