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If you’ve ever stood on a street corner in Downtown London wondering why the sky just turned purple-grey while the sun is still blinding you from the west, you aren't alone. That's just Tuesday here. Weather in London Ontario is basically a high-stakes game of "guess the season," and usually, the clouds win.
Honestly, it’s the Great Lakes. They’re like those two overbearing cousins, Huron and Erie, who keep showing up uninvited to mess with your weekend plans. Because London sits right in the middle of the Southwestern Ontario peninsula, we get hit with moisture from both sides. It makes the air heavy in July and the snow absurdly localized in January.
One neighborhood might be getting hammered with lake-effect snow while three blocks over, someone is raking leaves in the sunshine. It’s weird. It's frustrating. But if you live here, you just learn to keep a snow shovel and a pair of sunglasses in your trunk at all times.
Why the Forest City is a Humidity Magnet
Let's talk about summer. If you think 25°C sounds pleasant, you haven't met the Ontario humidex. In July, the "real feel" can easily spike into the high 30s. It’s that thick, soup-like air where you feel like you’re breathing through a warm damp cloth.
The Mid-Summer Grind
Usually, the hottest month is July. We're looking at average highs around 26°C, but that’s a lie. The humidity makes it feel way stickier. You’ve probably noticed that the city feels significantly hotter than the surrounding farmland. That’s the "urban heat island" effect—all that asphalt in the core soaking up the rays and radiating them back at you while you’re trying to grab a coffee on Richmond Row.
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Statistically, London gets about 900 to 1,000 mm of precipitation a year. That’s a lot of water. While June tends to be the wettest month for actual rain, the humidity hangs around until late September. If you’re visiting, late August is actually kind of a sweet spot. The nights start to cool down, and the "mosquito-per-square-inch" ratio drops significantly.
Survival Guide: Winter and the Snow Belt
Winter here isn't just cold; it’s active. Because Lake Huron is to our northwest, frigid winds pick up moisture from the open water and dump it right on top of us as snow. We call these "snow squalls." They are the reason your commute to Western University took 12 minutes yesterday and will take 50 minutes today.
- January is the deep freeze. Expect lows around -9°C, but wind chills can frequently hit -20°C or worse.
- The "Squall" Factor. You can be driving in clear conditions on the 401 and suddenly hit a wall of white. It's disorienting and, frankly, a bit terrifying if you aren't used to it.
- February is the driest month. Not because it doesn't snow, but because it’s often too cold for heavy moisture. It’s just crisp, biting air.
Environment Canada records show that London gets roughly 200 cm of snow a year. That’s about six and a half feet of the white stuff. If you live in the north end near Masonville, you’ll likely see more of it than people living south near White Oaks. It’s a localized phenomenon that makes city-wide snow removal a nightmare for the municipal crews.
Spring and Fall: The Identity Crisis Months
Spring in London is essentially two weeks of mud followed by a heatwave. It’s the shortest season we have. You’ll see people wearing shorts when it’s 8°C just because they’re so desperate for winter to end. By May, the tulips are out, and the "Forest City" actually starts looking like a forest again.
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The Fall Glow-Up
Fall is arguably the best time to experience weather in London Ontario. September and October are stunning. The humidity finally breaks, the air gets crisp, and the canopy of trees turns into a mix of fire-red and gold.
- Early October: Perfect for hiking at Fanshawe Conservation Area.
- Late October: The first frost usually hits, killing off the bugs.
- November: The grey sets in. This is the "cloudy season." London is actually one of the cloudiest cities in Canada during late autumn because of the lake moisture trapped under cold air.
The Climate Shift: What’s Actually Changing?
If you feel like the winters are getting weirder, you're right. Data from the City of London's Climate Emergency Action Plan suggests our winters are becoming "warmer and wetter." Instead of consistent snow, we're seeing more freeze-thaw cycles. This is bad news for our roads—hello, potholes—and even worse for the trees that the city is named after.
We’re also seeing an uptick in "extreme" events. Heavy downpours that overwhelm the storm sewers are becoming the new normal. It’s not just "rain" anymore; it’s a month’s worth of water in two hours. Scientists like those at the University of Western Ontario are tracking these shifts, noting that the traditional "predictability" of the Great Lakes weather system is starting to wobble.
What Most People Get Wrong About London Weather
A lot of people think London is just "Toronto's colder neighbor." That’s not quite it. Because we are further inland and slightly higher in elevation, we actually get more snow than Toronto but can sometimes have warmer summer afternoons. We don't get the "lake breeze" cooling effect from Lake Ontario that keeps Toronto bearable in a heatwave. When it's hot here, it's just hot.
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Another misconception? That it's always grey. While November and December are definitely gloomy, London gets plenty of sun in the summer. It’s a city of extremes. You just have to be prepared to pivot.
Actionable Tips for Navigating London's Climate
- Download a Radar App: Don't just look at the "percent chance of rain." Look at the actual radar. In London, storms move fast and often follow specific paths along the Thames River.
- Invest in "Transition" Gear: You need a high-quality light raincoat for April and October. A heavy parka is only necessary for about six weeks of the year, but a windproof shell is a lifesaver year-round.
- Check the Wind Direction: If the wind is coming from the Northwest, get your shovel ready. That’s the Lake Huron express delivering a fresh batch of snow to your driveway.
- Humidify in Winter, Dehumidify in Summer: The swings in indoor air quality are brutal on your skin and your hardwood floors.
The best way to handle the weather in London Ontario is to embrace the chaos. Go for that walk in the October crispness, and keep a spare set of dry socks in your desk drawer during the spring thaw.
To stay ahead of the next big shift, you should bookmark the local Environment Canada weather station at the London International Airport for the most accurate real-time data. For those looking to see how the city is planning for the long-term changes in our atmosphere, reading through the London Climate Emergency Action Plan gives a pretty sobering look at where our local environment is headed over the next few decades.
Next, you might want to look into how these local weather patterns affect seasonal gardening or home maintenance schedules in Southwestern Ontario.