Honestly, Leeds in January is always a bit of a gamble. You wake up hoping for a crisp, winter wonderland and usually end up with a view that looks like someone held a grey fleece over your window. Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, is exactly that kind of day. If you were planning on a big hike up at Otley Chevin or just a wander around Roundhay Park, you’ve basically got a "grey-out" on your hands.
It’s cloudy. It’s staying cloudy. It’s the kind of weather where the sun doesn't so much shine as just slightly lighten the shade of the sky for a few hours.
The Numbers You Actually Need
The current temperature is sitting at 43°F, which isn't bone-chillingly cold, but with the humidity cranking up to 94%, it’s that damp, "gets-into-your-bones" kind of chill. You know the one. The high for the day is only hitting 45°F, while the low tonight will hover around 41°F.
Basically, there’s no real variation. It’s a flat line of cool, moist air.
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The wind is coming from the east at 4 mph, which is barely a breeze, but it’s enough to keep that dampness moving. If you’re heading out to watch the football or just nipping to the market, that humidity—currently at 94%—is the real enemy. It makes 43 degrees feel a lot more miserable than the thermometer suggests.
Is it going to rain in Leeds today?
Short answer: probably not, but don't hold me to it. The chance of precipitation is pegged at a steady 10%. In Yorkshire terms, that means it might "spit" for five minutes, or you might just walk through a cloud that feels a bit too heavy. The condition is officially "cloudy," and the UV index is a big fat 0. You can leave the sunscreen at home, obviously.
Why the weather for today in Leeds feels so weird
We’re in the hangover phase of Storm Goretti. Remember last week? The red warnings? The "weather bomb" talk? Yeah, that’s mostly moved on, but it’s left the atmosphere over West Yorkshire feeling a bit stagnant and heavy.
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While Birmingham and parts of Scotland are still bracing for potential snow later this month, Leeds is currently stuck in this mucky middle ground. It’s not cold enough for the pretty white stuff, but it’s not warm enough to feel like spring is anywhere nearby.
- Visibility: It’s murky. If you’re driving over the Pennines or even just taking the M62 toward Manchester, expect some patchy mist.
- Wind: Southeast at 7 mph later today. It’s subtle but enough to ruffle your umbrella if you’ve actually bothered to carry one for a 10% rain chance.
- The Humidity Factor: At 96% predicted for the daily average, your hair is going to do whatever it wants today. Frizz is the forecast.
Honestly, it's a perfect day for a pub. Somewhere with a fire. The Kirkstall Bridge Inn or maybe somewhere tucked away in the city centre like Whitelock’s. When the sky is this relentlessly grey, you might as well be indoors with something local on tap.
What to expect for the rest of the weekend
Don't expect a massive breakout of sunshine tomorrow either. The pattern is holding fairly steady. We’re looking at more of the same—overcast skies and temperatures that refuse to move more than a couple of degrees in either direction.
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If you're a gardener, the ground is pretty saturated. That high humidity means nothing is drying out. If you've got errands to run, today is fine for it, just boring. No major weather warnings are active for Leeds right now, which is a massive relief after the chaos Goretti caused to the trains and the university campus earlier this month.
Actionable Advice for Leeds Residents
- Layers are your best friend: Since the temperature is stagnant but the humidity is high, a heavy wool coat might actually make you sweat if you're walking fast, but a light jacket won't cut it. Go for a breathable waterproof layer over a fleece.
- Driving: Keep your lights on even during the day. The "dullness" makes silver and grey cars practically invisible against the tarmac and the sky.
- Home Maintenance: Check your gutters. Even with only a 10% chance of rain, the dampness is persistent. If you've got leaks, this kind of humidity will make damp patches in the house look a lot worse very quickly.
Stay warm, stay dry, and maybe just accept that today is a "stay on the sofa" kind of Saturday. The weather for today in Leeds isn't trying to win any beauty contests, and honestly, we shouldn't expect it to in mid-January.
Grab a sturdy pair of boots if you're heading out to avoid the inevitable Yorkshire mud, and keep an eye on the Met Office feed if you're planning on traveling further north where things are looking a bit more "wintry" than our current grey soup.