Right now, if you step outside in Crawley, it’s 41°F. It’s nighttime, mostly cloudy, and the air has that heavy, 98% humidity that makes the cold stick to your bones.
But here’s the thing about weather for Crawley West Sussex—what you see on your phone's default app is often a lie. Well, not a lie, but it’s definitely not the whole story. Because we’re tucked right next to one of the busiest airports in the world and sitting in the High Weald’s shadow, the microclimate here is actually pretty weird.
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You’ve probably noticed it. You drive from Horsham or East Grinstead where it’s bone-dry, and by the time you hit the Broadfield roundabout, the wipers are on full blast.
It’s not just bad luck. The River Mole and its tributaries, like Crawter’s Brook, cut right through the area. All that water, combined with the massive concrete heat sink of Gatwick Airport, creates a localized "urban heat island" mixed with high moisture levels.
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The current feels-like temperature is 36°F. That 5-degree drop from the actual air temp is thanks to a 7 mph wind coming from the south. In January, Crawley basically lives in a state of "perpetual damp."
What the Next Week Actually Looks Like
Honestly, don't pack away the umbrella. We’re looking at a string of grey days.
- Friday, January 16: Expect light rain throughout the day and night. We’re hitting a high of 49°F and a low of 43°F. It’s "mild" for January, but with 94% humidity, it’s going to feel soggy.
- The Weekend (Jan 17-18): Saturday keeps the light rain going with another 49°F high. Sunday offers a tiny break—mostly cloudy but staying around 50°F.
- The Monday Soak: Monday, January 19, is the one to watch. There's a 65% chance of rain during the day.
If you’re looking for a silver lining, the wind isn't too aggressive yet, hovering between 5 mph and 11 mph. But that changes later in the week. By next Saturday, January 24, we’re looking at 17 mph gusts from the southwest.
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Why Does Crawley Get More Fog Than Its Neighbors?
It’s the "Cold Air Pool" effect. Because Crawley sits at a relatively low elevation compared to the surrounding hills of the High Weald, cold, moist air settles here at night.
According to data from the Met Office and historical averages from WeatherSpark, January is our cloudiest month. The sky is overcast about 67% of the time. You’re basically living under a grey blanket.
Does the airport change the rain? Some local observers think the heat from the runways can occasionally "split" light showers, but for the most part, Gatwick just ensures we stay a degree or two warmer than the rural villages out toward Rusper or Worth.
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Dealing with the "January Slump"
With sunset currently around 4:21 PM, the lack of Vitamin D is real. The UV index is currently 0, and even on "sunny" days this week, it won’t climb past 1.
Pro-tips for surviving Crawley weather this month:
- Trust the humidity, not the temp: A 45°F day here feels colder than a 35°F day in a dry climate. Wear a wind-resistant outer layer.
- Gatwick Stream Awareness: If you live near Tinsley Green or the northern edges of town, keep an eye on the Gatwick Stream levels during those 60%+ rain chance days.
- App Choice: Don't just use the built-in iPhone weather. Check the Met Office's Crawley-specific station or use Weather Underground to see what’s actually happening at the airport vs. the town center.
Basically, expect a lot of "light rain" and "mostly cloudy" for the foreseeable future. By the time we hit January 25, there’s even a hint of rain and snow mixing as the low drops to 34°F.
Keep the waterproofs by the front door. You’re going to need them.
Check your local flood risk levels if you're near the River Mole or Gatwick Stream during the heavy rain forecast for Monday.
Ensure your car's anti-freeze and tire pressure are checked before the wind speeds pick up and temperatures dip closer to freezing toward the end of next week.
If you're planning a trip from Gatwick, allow extra time for the 17 mph winds expected on the 24th, which can often cause minor shuttle or gate delays.