Climate of London facts for kids
| Weather chart for London, United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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59
8
3
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45
9
3
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39
12
4
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42
15
6
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46
18
9
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47
22
12
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46
24
14
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53
23
14
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50
20
12
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65
16
9
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67
11
5
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57
9
3
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| temperatures in °C precipitation totals in mm |
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Imperial conversion
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According to the Koppen Climate Classification, London has a temperate oceanic climate (Cfb). This type of climate features cool winters with frequent cloudy skies and rain showers (and on occasion snow), and mild summers. Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed all year round.
London has a long history of meteorological observations, with precipitation records beginning as early as January 1697 at Kew Gardens. Irregular observations were made at multiple locations in the ensuing years. An observing station has been located at Greenwich since 1841, giving London its longest continuous reliable temperature series. Other stations include Heathrow, beginning in 1948, Hampstead, beginning in 1910, Northolt, beginning in 1948, and St James's Park, beginning in 1910.
The highest temperature ever observed in London is 40.2 °C (104.4 °F) provisionally recorded at both Heathrow Airport and St James's Park on 19 July 2022 and the lowest is −16.1 °C (3.0 °F) 1 January 1962. The lowest daily maximum temperature is −8.3 °C (17.1 °F) occurring on 3 occasions: 8 January 1841, 4 January 1867 and 12 January 1987. The highest daily minimum temperature recorded is 25.8 °C (78.4 °F), recorded in Kenley on 19 July 2022. In addition to this, London holds multiple national records, including the record maximum for the months of February, April, May and June.
The city can sometimes experience extremes. Snowfall is an infrequent occurrence in winter, falling on an average of 16 days per year, though infrequently heavy. Thunderstorms are a similarly occurring feature, occurring on average up to 16 days per year. London rarely experiences tornadoes, although an F2 struck Kensal Green on 7 December 2006. Severe weather and extremes in temperature are uncommon.
London is vulnerable to climate change in the United Kingdom, and there is increasing concern among hydrological experts that London households may run out of water before 2050.
Contents
- Classifications
- Climate data tables
- London Weather Centre
- St James's Park - Weather Station near the centre of London
- Heathrow - Airport Weather Station in the suburbs of West London
- Kew Gardens - Weather Station in South West London on the banks of the River Thames
- Hampstead - Weather Station in North London
- Northolt - Airfield Weather Station in the North West of London
- Greenwich - Weather Station in South East London near the river Thames
- Average UV index
Classifications
| Climatic scheme | Initials | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Köppen system | Cfb | Oceanic climate |
| Trewartha system | Do | Temperate oceanic climate |
| Alisov system | N/A | Temperate climate |
| Strahler system | N/A | Marine west-coast |
| Thornthwaite system |
|
Moist subhumid and mesothermal |
| Neef system | N/A | West side/maritime climate |
Climate data tables
London Weather Centre
| Climate data for London Weather Centre, 2001-2009 seminormals | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 8.5 (47.3) |
8.9 (48.0) |
11.7 (53.1) |
15.7 (60.3) |
18.5 (65.3) |
22.4 (72.3) |
23.6 (74.5) |
23.2 (73.8) |
20.8 (69.4) |
16.1 (61.0) |
11.9 (53.4) |
8.6 (47.5) |
15.8 (60.5) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 5.0 (41.0) |
4.7 (40.5) |
5.8 (42.4) |
8.2 (46.8) |
10.9 (51.6) |
14.1 (57.4) |
15.5 (59.9) |
15.5 (59.9) |
13.7 (56.7) |
10.9 (51.6) |
8.0 (46.4) |
5.4 (41.7) |
9.8 (49.7) |
| Source 1: Weather Online | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Tutiempo | |||||||||||||
St James's Park - Weather Station near the centre of London
| Climate data for St James's Park WMO ID: 03770; coordinates 51°30′18″N 0°07′52″W / 51.50489°N 0.13099°W; elevation: 5 m (16 ft); extremes 1912–present |
|||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 16.3 (61.3) |
19.7 (67.5) |
24.3 (75.7) |
29.1 (84.4) |
31.7 (89.1) |
34.6 (94.3) |
40.2 (104.4) |
36.1 (97.0) |
32.5 (90.5) |
29.1 (84.4) |
20.6 (69.1) |
16.9 (62.4) |
40.2 (104.4) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −9.4 (15.1) |
−10.0 (14.0) |
−5.6 (21.9) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
3.3 (37.9) |
7.2 (45.0) |
4.4 (39.9) |
1.1 (34.0) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
−7.0 (19.4) |
−10.0 (14.0) |
| Source: Starlings Roost Weather | |||||||||||||
Heathrow - Airport Weather Station in the suburbs of West London
| Climate data for Heathrow Airport, elevation: 25 m (82 ft), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 16.0 (60.8) |
20.1 (68.2) |
22.8 (73.0) |
27.4 (81.3) |
31.8 (89.2) |
34.8 (94.6) |
37.9 (100.2) |
37.9 (100.2) |
31.3 (88.3) |
28.8 (83.8) |
18.6 (65.5) |
16.6 (61.9) |
37.9 (100.2) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 8.4 (47.1) |
9.0 (48.2) |
11.7 (53.1) |
15.0 (59.0) |
18.4 (65.1) |
21.6 (70.9) |
23.9 (75.0) |
23.4 (74.1) |
20.2 (68.4) |
15.8 (60.4) |
11.5 (52.7) |
8.8 (47.8) |
15.7 (60.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 5.6 (42.1) |
5.8 (42.4) |
7.9 (46.2) |
10.5 (50.9) |
13.7 (56.7) |
16.8 (62.2) |
19.0 (66.2) |
18.7 (65.7) |
15.9 (60.6) |
12.3 (54.1) |
8.4 (47.1) |
5.9 (42.6) |
11.7 (53.1) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 2.7 (36.9) |
2.7 (36.9) |
4.1 (39.4) |
6.0 (42.8) |
9.1 (48.4) |
12.0 (53.6) |
14.2 (57.6) |
14.1 (57.4) |
11.6 (52.9) |
8.8 (47.8) |
5.3 (41.5) |
3.1 (37.6) |
7.8 (46.0) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −13.2 (8.2) |
−9.6 (14.7) |
−5.1 (22.8) |
−2.6 (27.3) |
−0.9 (30.4) |
1.5 (34.7) |
5.6 (42.1) |
5.9 (42.6) |
1.8 (35.2) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
−7.0 (19.4) |
−11.8 (10.8) |
−13.2 (8.2) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 58.8 (2.31) |
45.0 (1.77) |
38.8 (1.53) |
42.3 (1.67) |
45.9 (1.81) |
47.3 (1.86) |
45.8 (1.80) |
52.8 (2.08) |
49.6 (1.95) |
65.1 (2.56) |
66.6 (2.62) |
57.1 (2.25) |
615.0 (24.21) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 11.5 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 8.8 | 8.0 | 8.3 | 7.9 | 8.4 | 7.9 | 10.8 | 11.2 | 10.8 | 111.7 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 61.1 | 78.8 | 124.5 | 176.7 | 207.5 | 208.4 | 217.8 | 202.1 | 157.1 | 115.2 | 70.7 | 55.0 | 1,674.8 |
| Source 1: Met Office | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: KNMI | |||||||||||||
Kew Gardens - Weather Station in South West London on the banks of the River Thames
| Climate data for Kew Gardens, elevation: 6 m (20 ft), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1901–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 16.1 (61.0) |
21.2 (70.2) |
24.5 (76.1) |
29.1 (84.4) |
30.6 (87.1) |
34.2 (93.6) |
35.0 (95.0) |
38.1 (100.6) |
33.3 (91.9) |
27.8 (82.0) |
18.9 (66.0) |
15.7 (60.3) |
38.1 (100.6) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 8.6 (47.5) |
9.2 (48.6) |
11.9 (53.4) |
15.1 (59.2) |
18.4 (65.1) |
21.4 (70.5) |
23.8 (74.8) |
23.4 (74.1) |
20.3 (68.5) |
16.0 (60.8) |
11.6 (52.9) |
8.9 (48.0) |
15.7 (60.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 5.3 (41.5) |
5.6 (42.1) |
7.7 (45.9) |
10.1 (50.2) |
13.3 (55.9) |
16.2 (61.2) |
18.5 (65.3) |
18.2 (64.8) |
15.4 (59.7) |
11.9 (53.4) |
8.0 (46.4) |
5.6 (42.1) |
11.3 (52.3) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 2.0 (35.6) |
2.0 (35.6) |
3.5 (38.3) |
5.1 (41.2) |
8.2 (46.8) |
11.0 (51.8) |
13.2 (55.8) |
13.0 (55.4) |
10.5 (50.9) |
7.8 (46.0) |
4.3 (39.7) |
2.3 (36.1) |
6.9 (44.4) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −12.8 (9.0) |
−11.7 (10.9) |
−8.3 (17.1) |
−2.1 (28.2) |
−3.1 (26.4) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
3.9 (39.0) |
2.1 (35.8) |
1.4 (34.5) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
−7.1 (19.2) |
−11.7 (10.9) |
−12.8 (9.0) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 59.9 (2.36) |
45.4 (1.79) |
39.0 (1.54) |
43.6 (1.72) |
44.6 (1.76) |
49.7 (1.96) |
45.2 (1.78) |
55.1 (2.17) |
51.9 (2.04) |
67.9 (2.67) |
66.0 (2.60) |
59.2 (2.33) |
627.5 (24.70) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 11.8 | 9.9 | 8.9 | 8.6 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 7.6 | 8.4 | 8.4 | 10.9 | 11.3 | 11.2 | 113.8 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 60.2 | 80.7 | 128.0 | 181.0 | 213.4 | 209.8 | 221.9 | 206.5 | 152.0 | 117.4 | 69.7 | 52.7 | 1,693.2 |
| Source: Met Office | |||||||||||||
Hampstead - Weather Station in North London
The weather station enclosure is the most elevated of any in the London area, and as a result daytime temperatures are typically one degree lower than Heathrow, Kew, Northolt and Greenwich.
| Climate data for Hampstead, elevation: 137 m (449 ft), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 15.7 (60.3) |
18.3 (64.9) |
23.1 (73.6) |
26.6 (79.9) |
29.8 (85.6) |
33.7 (92.7) |
34.4 (93.9) |
37.4 (99.3) |
29.4 (84.9) |
28.3 (82.9) |
17.9 (64.2) |
15.3 (59.5) |
37.4 (99.3) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 7.5 (45.5) |
8.1 (46.6) |
10.9 (51.6) |
14.1 (57.4) |
17.3 (63.1) |
20.4 (68.7) |
22.7 (72.9) |
22.3 (72.1) |
19.1 (66.4) |
14.8 (58.6) |
10.6 (51.1) |
7.8 (46.0) |
14.7 (58.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 4.9 (40.8) |
5.2 (41.4) |
7.3 (45.1) |
9.8 (49.6) |
12.8 (55.0) |
15.8 (60.4) |
18.0 (64.4) |
17.8 (64.0) |
15.1 (59.2) |
11.6 (52.9) |
7.8 (46.0) |
5.3 (41.5) |
10.9 (51.6) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 2.3 (36.1) |
2.3 (36.1) |
3.7 (38.7) |
5.5 (41.9) |
8.3 (46.9) |
11.2 (52.2) |
13.3 (55.9) |
13.4 (56.1) |
11.1 (52.0) |
8.3 (46.9) |
5.0 (41.0) |
2.7 (36.9) |
7.3 (45.1) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −10.8 (12.6) |
−12.2 (10.0) |
−6.9 (19.6) |
−3.2 (26.2) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
1.8 (35.2) |
5.6 (42.1) |
4.7 (40.5) |
2.4 (36.3) |
−2.4 (27.7) |
−5.8 (21.6) |
−8.4 (16.9) |
−12.2 (10.0) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 69.5 (2.74) |
51.4 (2.02) |
42.8 (1.69) |
49.6 (1.95) |
50.5 (1.99) |
58.5 (2.30) |
50.5 (1.99) |
67.7 (2.67) |
59.1 (2.33) |
78.6 (3.09) |
75.7 (2.98) |
68.3 (2.69) |
722.1 (28.43) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 12.1 | 10.7 | 9.1 | 9.1 | 8.5 | 8.7 | 8.4 | 9.3 | 9.0 | 11.0 | 11.9 | 11.9 | 119.6 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 60.0 | 76.1 | 114.2 | 155.2 | 199.2 | 193.7 | 199.8 | 188.3 | 145.5 | 106.3 | 67.2 | 54.0 | 1,559.4 |
| Source 1: Met Office | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: KNMI | |||||||||||||
Northolt - Airfield Weather Station in the North West of London
Temperature extremes range from 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) in August 2003, down to −16.1 °C (3.0 °F) in January 1962.
| Climate data for RAF Northolt, elevation: 40 m (131 ft), 1991–2020 normals | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 8.2 (46.8) |
8.8 (47.8) |
11.6 (52.9) |
14.8 (58.6) |
18.1 (64.6) |
21.2 (70.2) |
23.5 (74.3) |
23.1 (73.6) |
20.0 (68.0) |
15.6 (60.1) |
11.3 (52.3) |
8.6 (47.5) |
15.4 (59.7) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 5.1 (41.2) |
5.4 (41.7) |
7.6 (45.7) |
10.0 (50.0) |
13.2 (55.8) |
16.2 (61.2) |
18.4 (65.1) |
18.1 (64.6) |
15.3 (59.5) |
11.8 (53.2) |
7.9 (46.2) |
5.5 (41.9) |
11.2 (52.2) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 2.0 (35.6) |
2.0 (35.6) |
3.5 (38.3) |
5.2 (41.4) |
8.3 (46.9) |
11.3 (52.3) |
13.4 (56.1) |
13.2 (55.8) |
10.6 (51.1) |
7.9 (46.2) |
4.5 (40.1) |
2.3 (36.1) |
7.0 (44.6) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 62.9 (2.48) |
49.1 (1.93) |
42.4 (1.67) |
45.6 (1.80) |
51.8 (2.04) |
50.2 (1.98) |
48.6 (1.91) |
56.6 (2.23) |
51.4 (2.02) |
70.2 (2.76) |
71.4 (2.81) |
63.1 (2.48) |
663.3 (26.11) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 11.6 | 10.1 | 9.1 | 9.4 | 8.6 | 8.6 | 8.1 | 9.4 | 8.5 | 10.7 | 11.6 | 11.3 | 117.0 |
| Source: Met Office | |||||||||||||
Greenwich - Weather Station in South East London near the river Thames
| Climate data for London (Greenwich) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 14.0 (57.2) |
19.7 (67.5) |
21.0 (69.8) |
26.9 (80.4) |
31.0 (87.8) |
35.0 (95.0) |
35.5 (95.9) |
37.5 (99.5) |
30.0 (86.0) |
28.8 (83.8) |
19.9 (67.8) |
15.0 (59.0) |
37.5 (99.5) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 8.3 (46.9) |
8.5 (47.3) |
11.4 (52.5) |
14.2 (57.6) |
17.7 (63.9) |
20.7 (69.3) |
23.2 (73.8) |
22.9 (73.2) |
20.1 (68.2) |
15.6 (60.1) |
11.4 (52.5) |
8.6 (47.5) |
15.2 (59.4) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 2.6 (36.7) |
2.4 (36.3) |
4.1 (39.4) |
5.4 (41.7) |
8.4 (47.1) |
11.5 (52.7) |
13.9 (57.0) |
13.7 (56.7) |
11.2 (52.2) |
8.3 (46.9) |
5.1 (41.2) |
2.8 (37.0) |
7.5 (45.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −10.0 (14.0) |
−9.0 (15.8) |
−8.0 (17.6) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
5.0 (41.0) |
7.0 (44.6) |
6.0 (42.8) |
3.0 (37.4) |
−4.0 (24.8) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
−7.0 (19.4) |
−10.0 (14.0) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 51.6 (2.03) |
38.2 (1.50) |
40.5 (1.59) |
45.0 (1.77) |
46.5 (1.83) |
47.3 (1.86) |
41.1 (1.62) |
51.6 (2.03) |
50.4 (1.98) |
68.8 (2.71) |
58.0 (2.28) |
53.0 (2.09) |
591.8 (23.30) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 10.8 | 8.5 | 9.6 | 9.4 | 9.0 | 8.3 | 8.0 | 7.6 | 8.5 | 10.7 | 10.1 | 9.9 | 110.4 |
| Average snowy days | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 16 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 81.0 | 76.0 | 69.0 | 64.0 | 62.0 | 60.0 | 60.0 | 62.0 | 67.0 | 73.0 | 78.0 | 82.0 | 69.5 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 49.9 | 71.4 | 107.1 | 159.8 | 181.2 | 181.0 | 192.1 | 195.1 | 138.9 | 108.1 | 58.5 | 37.4 | 1,480.5 |
| Source 1: Record highs and lows from BBC Weather, except August and February maximum from Met Office | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: All other data from Met Office, except for humidity and snow data which are from NOAA | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for London (Heathrow airport 1981−2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 8.1 (46.6) |
8.4 (47.1) |
11.3 (52.3) |
14.2 (57.6) |
17.9 (64.2) |
21.0 (69.8) |
23.5 (74.3) |
23.2 (73.8) |
19.9 (67.8) |
15.5 (59.9) |
11.1 (52.0) |
8.3 (46.9) |
15.2 (59.4) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 2.3 (36.1) |
2.1 (35.8) |
3.9 (39.0) |
5.5 (41.9) |
8.7 (47.7) |
11.7 (53.1) |
13.9 (57.0) |
13.7 (56.7) |
11.4 (52.5) |
8.4 (47.1) |
4.9 (40.8) |
2.7 (36.9) |
7.4 (45.4) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 55.2 (2.17) |
40.9 (1.61) |
41.6 (1.64) |
43.7 (1.72) |
49.4 (1.94) |
45.1 (1.78) |
44.5 (1.75) |
49.5 (1.95) |
49.1 (1.93) |
68.5 (2.70) |
59.0 (2.32) |
55.2 (2.17) |
601.7 (23.68) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 11.1 | 8.5 | 9.3 | 9.1 | 8.8 | 8.2 | 7.7 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 10.8 | 10.3 | 10.2 | 109.6 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 61.5 | 77.9 | 114.6 | 168.7 | 198.5 | 204.3 | 212.0 | 204.7 | 149.3 | 116.5 | 72.6 | 52.0 | 1,632.6 |
| Source: Met Office | |||||||||||||
Average UV index
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3.4 |
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Climate of London Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.