London is weird right now. Honestly, if you stepped outside this morning expecting that "typical" British drizzle, you probably got a face full of biting air instead. It’s January 13, 2026, and the city is basically nursing a massive meteorological hangover after Storm Goretti tore through the country last week.
You’ve probably seen the headlines about "weather bombs" and 100mph winds. While the worst of that chaos has shifted, the weather London England today is a strange mix of leftover dampness and a sudden, sharp drop in temperature. We are looking at a high of 49°F, which sounds okay on paper, but when that humidity hits the 32°F low we’re expecting tonight, it feels like a different beast entirely.
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The Goretti Aftermath
Last week was brutal. The Met Office was throwing out red warnings like confetti, and for good reason. Storm Goretti wasn't just a bit of wind; it was a "multi-hazard event" that shut down runways in Birmingham and left thousands in the dark.
London mostly dodged the 30cm snow dumps that hit Wales, but the "weather bomb" effect—where the pressure drops faster than a lead weight—left the ground here absolutely saturated. That’s the real problem today. Even though the sky looks relatively clear-ish right now, the ground is a sponge.
Why Today Feels So Different
If you’re walking through Southwark or heading toward Canary Wharf, you’ll notice the air has this crisp, almost clinical chill. The current temperature is hovering around 35°F as the sun goes down.
The Met Office just updated their briefing, and they’re flagging a yellow warning for rain starting Thursday, but today is the "calm" before that next system rolls in. Here is the thing: because the ground is so wet from the previous storms, the temperature drop tonight is going to turn some of those untreated side streets into ice rinks.
- Morning: Damp, grey, and deceptive.
- Afternoon: Brief sunny spells that don't actually provide any warmth.
- Night: A plummet toward freezing (32°F) with light rain moving in.
It’s that light rain tonight that’s the kicker. When you mix a 32°F low with incoming moisture, you get that nasty, slushy mix that makes the evening commute a nightmare.
The "Hidden" Risks for Londoners
Most people think "it’s not snowing, so I’m fine." Wrong. The UK Health Security Agency has been keeping a close eye on these amber cold weather alerts for a reason.
The dampness in London’s air makes the cold "heavier." It’s that type of chill that gets into your bones even if you’re wearing a decent puffer jacket. And since we’re dealing with saturated ground, any extra rain today increases the risk of surface water flooding.
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I was looking at the National Rail updates earlier. They’re already hinting at delays for the Eurostar and some south-western routes because of the lingering effects of the storm and the freezing overnight temperatures. If you're planning to head out late, basically expect the Victoria line to be your only reliable friend.
What’s Coming Next?
Don’t get comfortable with the clear patches. By Thursday, January 15, a deepening area of low pressure is migrating northeast across England. We are talking about 20-40 mm of rain hitting ground that literally cannot take any more water.
The Met Office experts, like Alex Burkill, have been pretty clear that this "unsettled" pattern is going to stick around. We aren't in the clear yet. In fact, the long-range forecast suggests that toward the end of January, we might see high pressure over Scandinavia pushing even colder air our way.
Survival Steps for Tonight
If you’re out in the city tonight, don’t trust the "high" of 49°F you saw on your app this morning. That's gone.
- Check the side streets: Main roads are usually gritted, but if you’re walking through residential areas in Hackney or Fulham, watch out for "black ice" patches where the storm puddles have frozen over.
- Layer up for humidity: It’s not a "dry cold." Wear a moisture-wicking base layer.
- Charge everything: Storm Goretti proved that the grid is more fragile than we like to admit during these "weather bomb" cycles.
- Monitor the Thursday Rain: If you have travel plans for the 15th, start looking at alternatives now. The yellow rain warning covers most of London and the South East, and surface flooding is almost a guarantee at this point.
The weather in London is rarely "just" rain or "just" sun. It’s a complex, moving target, especially in a year that started with a record-breaking storm. Stay dry, keep an eye on the Met Office app, and maybe grab an extra scarf before you head to the pub tonight.