The weather in London

In line with much of Southern Britain, London has a temperate oceanic climate. London has been given the sobriquet of a “rainy city” but this is less so, compared to cities like Rome with an annual precipitation of 834 mm (32.8 in), or Bordeaux in France with annual precipitation of 923 mm (36.3 in).

Winters in London are generally somewhere from chilly to cold; and there is the regular occurrence of snow in the suburb on an average scale of twice weekly, from the month of November to March. Snow fall is experienced approximately four to five times a year, usually from December to February.

Snowfall during March and April is quite uncommon but does occur every two or three years. Winter temperatures rarely fall below −4 °C (24.8 °F) or rise above 14 °C (57.2 °F). During the winter of 2010, London experienced its lowest temperature on record (−14 °C (6.8 °F) in Northolt and the heaviest snow seen for almost two decades, a tremendous strain on the city's transport infrastructure. Temperature extremes for all sites in the London area range from 38.1 °C (100.6 °F) at Kew during August 2003, down to −16.1 °C (3.0 °F) at Northolt during January 1962. Temperatures of below −20 °C (−4.0 °F) have been noted prior to the 20th century, but the accuracy cannot be validated.

Summers are generally warm and sometimes hot, the heat being boosted by the urban heat island effect making the centre of London at times 5 °C (9 °F) warmer than the suburbs and outskirts. London's summer average is 24 °C (75.2 °F). On average, there are 7 days a year above 30 °C (86.0 °F) and 2 days a year above 32 °C (89.6 °F). Temperatures of 26 °C (80 °F) usually occur on a weekly basis from mid- June to late August.

During the 2003 European heat wave, there were 14 consecutive days above 30 °C (86.0 °F) and 2 consecutive days where temperatures soared up to 38 °C (100.4 °F), leading to hundreds of heat related deaths. Rain generally occurs on around 2 out of 10 summer days. Spring and Autumn are mixed seasons and can be pleasant. On 1 October 2011, the air temperature attained 30 °C (86.0 °F) and in April 2011, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F). However, in recent years, both of these months have also had snowfall. Temperature extremes range from −10 °C (14.0 °F) to 37.9

°C (100.2 °F).

Are you considering visiting London and the U.K.? Then contact the London official visitor agency-Visit London and Partners at: 08701 566 366  visitorinfo@londonandpartners.com     

You can also contact the City of London Information Centre: Opposite St Paul's Cathedral:

City of London, Guildhall, PO Box 270, London, EC2P 2EJ     pro@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Telephone: 020 7606 3030

They can offer you credible, pursuable and realistic information and advice on the following fronts: Cheap flights to London, hotels in London, cheap hotels in London, boutique hotels in London, bed and breakfast in London, guest houses in London, holiday apartments in London, timeshare accommodation in London, youth hostels in London, transportation in London, bus tours in London, river tours in London, coach tours of the U.K., entertainment in London, tourist attractions in London etc.