Right now in London, the air feels weirdly soft for the middle of January. Usually, this is the time of year when the city is a bone-chilling damp mess that makes you want to live inside a radiator. But today, Friday, January 16, 2026, we’ve got this strange, mild bubble sitting over the M25.
If you step outside, it’s basically 47°F (about 8°C). That’s not "t-shirt weather" by any stretch, but compared to the brutal Arctic blast hitting the rest of Europe and Canada right now, London is kind of a tropical island.
Honestly, the london weather right now is all about the clouds. It’s a gray lid. Total overcast. The humidity is sitting at a heavy 88%, which explains why the air feels so thick and why your hair is probably doing something it wasn't supposed to do this morning.
The current London vibe: Gray, damp, and oddly warm
We're looking at a high of 51°F today. To put that in perspective, the long-term average for London in January is usually much lower, often struggling to hit 45°F. We aren't seeing much of the sun—UV index is a flat zero—but the wind is barely a factor. It's coming from the south at a lazy 6 mph.
It’s the kind of day where you can’t decide if you need the big heavy parka or just a light raincoat.
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The Met Office has been tracking a "battle" of air masses. While the north of the UK is shivering under yellow warnings for ice and snow, London is stuck in this moist, Atlantic flow. It’s why we had that misty, foggy start this morning.
What to expect for the rest of the night
If you're heading out to Soho or meeting friends in Shoreditch tonight, keep an eye on the sky. The chance of rain is low right now—only about 13%—but that’s going to change.
The forecast shows light rain moving in later.
Temperatures will dip to 42°F.
The wind will pick up slightly to 8 mph from the south.
Basically, it’s going to stay cloudy and get a bit drippy. It’s classic London, just a few degrees warmer than the usual January freeze.
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Why london weather right now feels so unpredictable
You’ve probably noticed that the forecast has been jumping around like crazy lately. One day we’re hearing about "Snow Bombs" hitting the UK, and the next we’re walking around in 50-degree weather.
That’s because the Polar Vortex is currently doing some weird gymnastics. According to meteorologists at Severe Weather Europe, there’s been a lot of stratospheric warming that’s destabilizing the cold air. Usually, that sends the freezer door swinging open over the UK. But for some reason, London is currently sitting in a "warm slot" between the cold pools.
It's a temporary reprieve.
By mid-next week, the models suggest that high pressure might move in from the east. When that happens, the "Beast from the East" vibes return, and those 50-degree days will feel like a distant memory.
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Survival tips for a London January
Since we’re dealing with high humidity (88%) and overcast skies, the "feels like" temperature is often lower than what the app says.
- Layering is everything. Wear a base layer that wicks moisture. Damp air pulls heat away from your body faster than dry air.
- Waterproof your shoes. London puddles are deceptive; they look shallow until you're ankle-deep in freezing rainwater.
- Check the South. Because the wind is coming from the south today, the air is bringing up moisture. Expect "spotty" rain that isn't on the radar yet.
The london weather right now is remarkably stable, if a bit boring. We don't have the 50 cm of snow that Bosnia is currently digging out from under, and we don't have the -20°C wind chills hitting Ontario. We just have the gray.
If you’re planning your weekend, Saturday looks slightly brighter with some "sunny intervals" and a high of 51°F again. It’s probably the best window you’ll get for a walk in Hyde Park before the temperatures start their inevitable slide back toward freezing next week.
Keep an umbrella in your bag, even if the 13% precipitation chance makes you feel brave. In this city, that 13% usually finds a way to hit you right when you're furthest from the Tube station.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Dress for 47°F but 88% humidity: Use a breathable waterproof shell rather than a heavy wool coat to avoid overheating while staying dry.
- Plan outdoor activities for Saturday afternoon: This is the only projected window for "sunny intervals" before the clouds return on Sunday.
- Monitor the "East" winds: If you see the wind direction shift from South to East or North-East in your app, that is your signal to pull the heavy winter gear out of storage.