You’ve probably heard the jokes. London is just one giant, grey cloud, right? People act like you’ll be wading through soup-thick fog the moment you step off the plane at Heathrow. Honestly, it’s a bit of a myth.
If you’re wondering what is the weather like in London UK, the real answer is way more chaotic and interesting than "it just rains a lot." In fact, London actually gets less annual rainfall than Rome or Miami. Seriously. The difference is that in London, the rain is just... indecisive. It’s a light drizzle that lasts ten minutes, followed by a burst of blinding sun, then a breeze that makes you regret leaving your coat at the hotel.
London’s weather is basically a mood ring. It changes based on the Atlantic currents, the "Urban Heat Island" effect, and frankly, whatever mood the North Sea is in that morning.
The Seasonal Reality Check
You can’t just pack a swimsuit and a parka and call it a day.
Spring in London (March to May) is arguably the best time to see the city, but it's a gamble. One day you’re sitting in St. James’s Park surrounded by daffodils and 15°C sunshine. The next, a "Polar Maritime" air mass swings down and you’re shivering in 5°C dampness. It’s the season of layers. If you don't have a light trench coat or a denim jacket, you're going to have a bad time.
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Summer: It's Not Just Pimms and Sunlight
June to August used to be mild. Now? It’s getting weird. Thanks to climate change and the way London’s concrete jungle traps heat, summers are becoming intense. In July 2022, the UK hit a record-shattering 40.3°C. While that’s an extreme, 30°C days are becoming the new normal.
The humidity can be "sticky." Since most of London's infrastructure—including the older Tube lines like the Central or Northern—doesn't have air conditioning, the heat feels a lot heavier than the numbers suggest. If you're visiting in August, expect highs around 23°C to 25°C, but be prepared for "heat spikes" that make the city feel like an oven.
Autumn: The Golden Drizzle
September and October are actually quite pleasant. The crowds thin out, and the "Great Smog" of the past is long gone. Temperatures hover between 10°C and 16°C. It’s crisp. It’s when the London aesthetic—turtlenecks, boots, and umbrellas—actually matches the environment. November is when things get properly "grim" for some, as the days shorten and the dampness starts to seep into your bones.
Why "Rainy London" Is Actually a Bit of a Lie
Let’s look at the stats. London gets about 580mm of rain a year. Sydney gets over 1,200mm. So why the reputation?
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It’s about frequency, not volume. London has a lot of "rain days" (about 110-150 a year), but the rain is usually a fine mist. We call it "mizzle"—mist and drizzle. You won’t get soaked to the bone in seconds like you might in a tropical storm, but you will feel a constant, nagging dampness if you aren't prepared.
The Met Office, the UK's national weather service, notes that the south-east of England (where London sits) is actually one of the driest parts of the country. The clouds often dump their water on the hills of Wales and the Lake District before they ever reach the capital.
The Urban Heat Island (UHI) Factor
London creates its own weather.
Because of all the brick, asphalt, and traffic, the city center is often 5°C to 10°C warmer than the surrounding countryside. This is the Urban Heat Island. If you're staying in Soho, it will be noticeably warmer at midnight than if you were out in Richmond or Kew. This effect is a lifesaver in January but a nightmare in a July heatwave.
Month-by-Month Cheat Sheet
I've spent enough time walking across Waterloo Bridge in the wind to know that averages don't tell the whole story. But if you need a baseline, here it is:
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- January: Cold. Averages around 5°C to 9°C. It’s grey, but you get these rare, "crisp" blue-sky days that are stunning.
- April: The month of "showers." It can literally rain and sun-shine five times in one hour.
- July: The peak. Average 23°C, but can spike. Long days—the sun doesn't set until nearly 9:30 PM.
- October: Cooling down. 13°C. Perfect for walking, provided you have a scarf.
How to Pack Like a Local
If you see someone carrying a massive, heavy umbrella on a windy day, they aren't from here. The wind will just turn it inside out.
- The "Uniqlo" Method: Lightweight down vests or "Heattech" layers are the secret. You need clothes you can peel off the second you enter a 28°C Underground station.
- Water-resistant, not just Waterproof: A heavy raincoat is too hot for most of the year. A water-resistant shell is better.
- Shoes Matter: London is a walking city. If your shoes aren't waterproof, your day is ruined the moment you step in a puddle outside Victoria Station.
The 2026 Outlook: What's Changing?
Experts at the Met Office and climate researchers are seeing a clear trend. London's weather is becoming more "binary." We’re seeing longer dry spells followed by much more intense bursts of rain that the old Victorian sewers struggle to handle.
For 2026, the forecast models suggest we are moving into a period where the "European Heat Plume" might bring more frequent 30°C+ days in the summer. Winters are staying milder on average, but when "Beast from the East" weather patterns hit, they bring snap freezes that catch the city off guard because we've stopped expecting snow.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
- Download the "Citymapper" and "BBC Weather" apps: Citymapper tells you which Tube lines are "sauna-status" during heatwaves, and BBC Weather is generally more accurate for local London micro-bursts than the default iPhone app.
- Always carry a "bag umbrella": Small, collapsible, and cheap.
- Hydrate in the Summer: Public water fountains are appearing more often in places like King's Cross and Liverpool Street. Use them.
- Don't trust a "clear sky" in March: If you're going out for the whole day, take a layer. The temperature drop at 4 PM when the sun dips behind the buildings is brutal.
London weather isn't something to fear; it's just something to manage. It's part of the city's charm. There is nothing quite like the feeling of the sun breaking through the clouds over the Thames after a morning of grey—it makes the city glow in a way that perfectly blue skies never could.
Check the local forecast at the Met Office website before you head out, and remember: if you don't like the weather in London, just wait twenty minutes. It’ll change.