Weather in London

London, the sprawling capital of England and the United Kingdom, has a temperate oceanic climate. Contrary to popular belief, London only receives an average precipitation of 602mm (24 in) a year, less than New York (1,268mm/50in), Amsterdam (805mm/32in) and Paris (641mm/25in). But when it rains, it tends to drizzle, prompting locals to complain about the weather.

Spring (March to May) brings cool, pleasant weather with temperatures climbing from 10°C (50°F) in March to 17°C (62°F) in May; this is a good time to visit London and enjoy spring blossom in its many parks. The city also hosts a series of events including the London Marathon in April.

Summer (June to August) is warm, with highs averaging 20-23°C (68-73°F), though it can feel warmer in built-up areas due to heat stored in buildings and pavement. The city bustles with tourists while Londoners congregate outside and enjoy some sunshine.

Autumn (September to November) is another great season to visit London as the weather is mild and the summer crowds have gone home. Temperatures wise, the average high drops from 19°C (66°F) in September to 10°C (50°F) in November.

Winter (December to February) in London is mild, but can be grey and wet. December is a good time to visit as London turns festive and stores offer big discounts to entice shoppers. January is often the coldest month with an average high of 6°C (43°F) and an average low of 3°C (37°F). Temperatures don’t usually fall below freezing and snow is rare.