Honestly, if you’ve lived in London for more than a week, you know the "official" forecast is basically a polite suggestion. You wake up expecting a "crisp winter morning" and end up wading through a horizontal sleet storm by lunchtime. It’s classic. But looking at the London weather next ten days, we’re actually shifting away from that weirdly mild dampness we’ve had lately and heading into something much more... well, aggressive.
The big talk right now among the meteorology nerds is this massive clash between Atlantic systems and a potential "Beast from the East" sequel.
The Immediate Outlook: Grey, Greier, and Wet
Saturday, January 17, starts us off with a pretty standard London vibe. We’re looking at a high of 50°F (about 10°C) and a low of 42°F. It’s cloudy. It’s damp. The humidity is sitting at a thick 89%, which basically means your hair is going to be a disaster the second you step outside.
Don't expect much sun. Like, at all.
Sunday gets a bit more annoying. We’re holding at 50°F, but the chance of rain jumps significantly. We’re talking a 45% chance during the day and a whopping 75% chance at night. If you’re planning a Sunday roast trek, bring the sturdy umbrella, not the cheap one that flips inside out at the first sign of a breeze. The wind is coming from the east at about 6 mph, which doesn't sound like much, but that damp cold has a way of getting right into your bones.
The Mid-Week "Muddle"
Monday through Wednesday (Jan 19–21) is what I call the "London Muddle." The temperatures stay remarkably consistent—hovering right around 49°F or 50°F—but the sky just can’t decide what it’s doing.
- Monday: Mostly cloudy, slight chance of light rain at night.
- Tuesday: Light rain throughout the day with a bit more wind, hitting 9 mph.
- Wednesday: More of the same, though the wind kicks up to 11 mph.
It’s that kind of weather where you can't decide if you need the heavy parka or just a light raincoat with a thick jumper. Usually, the answer is both.
The "Arctic Blast" Everyone Is Panicking About
Now, here is where it gets interesting. Or terrifying, depending on how much you hate the Central Line when it’s snowing.
By Friday, January 23, the temperature starts to slide. We drop to a high of 42°F and a low of 37°F. But the real shift happens over the weekend of January 24 and 25. The wind direction flips. We stop getting that "mild" air from the southeast and start pulling in freezing air from the northeast.
The forecast for Saturday the 24th shows a high of only 39°F, and by Sunday, we’re looking at a daytime high of 38°F and a freezing low of 29°F.
Yes, that’s when the "S-word" starts appearing.
Current data from the Met Office and BBC Weather suggests a "high degree of uncertainty," which is forecaster-speak for "something big might happen, but we don't want to be blamed if it doesn't." WX Charts is currently showing a potential "snow bomb" or blizzard hitting the UK around January 26 and 27. For London, this usually translates to four days of sleet and light snow showers rather than a 31-inch Highland burial, but it’s enough to turn the pavements into ice rinks.
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What Most People Get Wrong About London Snow
People see "snow" on a weather app and immediately think of The Holiday. In London, snow is usually just "sky slush." Because of the "Urban Heat Island" effect—all those millions of people, cars, and heated buildings—the city stays a few degrees warmer than the surrounding countryside.
This is why it often snows in Wembley but just rains in Victoria.
However, the period from January 26 to January 27 is looking genuinely cold. We’re talking daytime highs of 36°F to 38°F. When the temperature stays that low, the "rain and snow" mix predicted for Tuesday the 27th actually has a chance of sticking.
Actionable Survival Tips for the Next 10 Days
Stop checking the "high" temperature and start looking at the wind chill. A 50-degree day with 90% humidity and an easterly wind feels colder than a 35-degree dry day. Trust me.
1. Layer for Humidity, Not Just Cold
The humidity is staying above 80% for most of this week. Damp cold is "creeping" cold. Wear a base layer that wicks moisture so you don't get clammy when you're stuck on a packed, unventilated Tube carriage.
2. Prep for the Monday/Tuesday "Sleet Sink"
The most likely time for travel chaos is January 26 and 27. If you have the option to work from home those days, keep it in your back pocket. London's infrastructure is famously allergic to anything frozen.
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3. Check Your Pipes Now
Before the low hits 29°F on Sunday the 25th, make sure your outdoor taps are covered. It’s been a mild winter so far, and a sudden drop below freezing is usually when the leaks start.
Basically, enjoy the grey "warmth" of the next few days. It's boring, sure, but it's easy. By next weekend, you're going to be digging through the back of the closet for those thermal socks you haven't seen since 2024.