Everyone thinks they know the deal. London is a grey, soggy sponge. New York is a concrete furnace in July and a frozen tundra in January. But honestly, if you're trying to compare weather in two places as iconic as these, the clichés usually fall apart once you actually step off the plane.
It’s weird.
People obsess over temperature highs, but they ignore the humidity. They look at rain days but forget about the actual volume of water falling from the sky. If you’re planning a move or just a long-term visit, understanding the atmospheric vibe of these two cities is about more than just packing an umbrella or a heavy coat. It’s about how the air feels on your skin at 3 PM on a Tuesday.
The Rainfall Paradox: Why London Isn't Actually That Wet
Here is the thing that breaks everyone's brain. New York City actually gets significantly more rain than London. Like, a lot more.
According to the Met Office and the National Weather Service, London averages about 23 inches (approx. 584 mm) of rain per year. New York City? It usually gets closer to 45 to 50 inches. That’s nearly double. So why does London have the reputation for being the rain capital of the world?
It’s the frequency and the character of the rain.
London rain is a polite annoyance. It’s a drizzle that lasts for six hours but barely fills a cup. It’s "mizzle"—that misty drizzle that coats your hair but doesn't necessarily soak your clothes through. You’ll see Londoners walking through it without umbrellas, just slightly damp and annoyed. In NYC, when it rains, the sky basically opens up and tries to drown the subway system. You get these massive, violent Atlantic thunderstorms that dump three inches of rain in an afternoon. Then the sun comes out.
London is a marathon of grey. New York is a sprint of chaos.
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When you compare weather in two places like this, you have to look at cloud cover. London is cloudy about 70% of the time. Even if it isn't raining, it feels like it might. New York has "big sky" energy. Even in the dead of winter, the sun is often blindingly bright against the snow, which leads to a totally different psychological experience.
The Temperature Rollercoaster
New York is a city of extremes. London is a city of "meh."
In a typical July, New York hits 85°F to 95°F (29°C to 35°C) with humidity that makes the air feel like warm soup. You walk out of an air-conditioned building and instantly feel a layer of moisture glue your shirt to your back. London? A "heatwave" there is 80°F. Because most UK homes and public transport systems lack AC, that 80 degrees feels surprisingly brutal, but it’s nothing compared to the sweltering canyon effect of Manhattan.
Then there’s winter.
If you hate the cold, London is your winner, mostly. The Gulf Stream keeps the UK relatively temperate. It rarely drops much below freezing. Snow is a rare event that shuts down the entire country because nobody knows how to drive in it. NYC winters are a different beast entirely. The wind-chill whipping off the Hudson River can make it feel like -10°F. The "slush puddle" is a genuine New York hazard—that deceptive pool of icy black water at the corner of every crosswalk that is deeper than it looks.
Real Talk: The Seasonal Breakdown
- Spring: NYC spring is a flicker. It lasts about two weeks in April before jumping into summer. London spring is glorious, long, and filled with blooming daffodils, though you'll still need a light jacket until June.
- Autumn/Fall: This is where New York wins. The "crisp" air everyone talks about is real. The humidity vanishes, the sky stays blue, and the leaves are vibrant. London in autumn is... damp. It’s beautiful in a moody, Sherlock Holmes kind of way, but the "Big Smoke" vibes are high.
- Winter: London is dark. Truly dark. Because it’s so much further north than NYC (London is roughly at the same latitude as Calgary, Canada), the sun sets at 3:45 PM in December. New York gets about an extra hour of daylight, which makes a massive difference for your mental health.
Humidity and the "RealFeel" Factor
Humidity is the silent killer of comfort.
When you compare weather in two places, you’re really comparing how your body regulates heat. London’s humidity is high year-round, usually sitting between 70% and 80%. But because the air is cool, it doesn't feel oppressive; it just feels "fresh" or "raw" in the winter.
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New York’s humidity is seasonal. In the summer, the moisture gets trapped between the skyscrapers, creating a literal greenhouse effect. The "heat island" effect means the asphalt and concrete soak up the sun all day and radiate it back at you all night. London’s green spaces—Hyde Park, Richmond, Hampstead Heath—actually help cool the city down. NYC has Central Park, but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the sheer volume of heat-absorbing stone in the five boroughs.
Wind and the Urban Canyon
Wind behaves differently in both cities. London is relatively low-rise. The wind moves across the city somewhat evenly.
New York has the "canyon effect."
The grid system and the massive height of the buildings create wind tunnels. You can be walking down a perfectly calm side street, turn the corner onto 5th Avenue, and get hit by a 40mph gust that turns your umbrella inside out. It’s a physical challenge. In the winter, this wind is biting. It’s the kind of cold that finds the gap between your scarf and your coat and reminds you that you are a fragile biological entity.
Logistics: How the Weather Changes Your Day
How does this actually affect your life?
In London, your wardrobe is all about layers. You need a "trench coat" or a high-quality raincoat that doesn't look like a raincoat. You carry a small, sturdy umbrella (like a Blunt or a Davek) everywhere. You learn to ignore the grey. You plan your life around the fact that it might be 55°F and misty for ten days straight.
In New York, you need "gear." You need a heavy-duty parka (think Canada Goose or Patagonia) for the three months where the city turns into the Arctic. You need high-quality boots for the slush. And in the summer, you need to plan your route based on which subway stations have the best airflow (hint: none of them) and which side of the street is in the shade.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume that because London is "north," it must be colder.
Nope.
New York is much further south—roughly level with Madrid, Spain. Yet, NYC is significantly colder in the winter. Why? It's all about the jet stream and ocean currents. London is buffered by the warm waters of the Atlantic. New York is at the mercy of continental air masses moving across the vast, cold landmass of North America.
When you compare weather in two places like these, you're looking at a battle between maritime influence (London) and continental influence (New York).
Actionable Insights for Your Next Trip
If you are choosing between these two or just trying to survive a visit, here is the reality of the situation:
- Don't trust the London forecast: If it says it’s going to rain all day, it probably means it will drizzle intermittently. Don't cancel your plans. Just wear a hat.
- Respect the NYC sun: Even in winter, the sun is strong. If you’re outside all day, you can actually get a bit of a burn, and the glare off the glass buildings is intense.
- Footwear is everything: In London, you want something water-resistant. In NYC, you need something with grip for the ice and height for the puddles.
- The "shoulder seasons" are the sweet spot: If you want the best weather, visit London in May or NYC in October. These are the rare windows where both cities are arguably perfect.
- Check the dew point, not just the temp: In New York summers, the temperature might be 85°F, but if the dew point is 70°F+, you’re going to be miserable.
Ultimately, London’s weather is a background character—always there, usually slightly moody, but rarely dangerous. New York’s weather is a lead actor—dramatic, intense, and occasionally trying to ruin your life. Choose your flavor accordingly.
Before you pack, check the specific humidity forecasts and wind-chill factors for your dates, as the "real feel" in these cities almost always trumps the number on the thermometer. Invest in a high-quality windproof umbrella for London and a moisture-wicking base layer for New York. Your comfort depends entirely on your ability to adapt to the specific brand of chaos each city offers.