London, the capital of the United Kingdom, is known for Westminster, free national museums like the British Museum, and Borough Market, and its weather is mild and changeable all year. Using NASA POWER data for 2014–2023, average daily highs range from 8 °C in January to 24 °C in July, and the city receives about 727 mm of rain a year, spread across every month rather than one rainy season.
Spring warms steadily: highs average 11 °C in March, 14 °C in April and 18 °C in May. April is the driest month, with about 35 mm of rain. Summer is the warmest period: June averages 21 °C, July 24 °C and August 23 °C, with average lows of 13 °C in July and August. Rain still falls in summer, about 53–64 mm a month, so keep a light jacket or umbrella in your bag.
Autumn starts mild, with highs of 21 °C in September and only about 46 mm of rain, then turns cooler and wetter: October averages 16 °C with 79 mm, and November 11 °C with about 80 mm, the wettest month. Winter is cool and damp rather than freezing: December averages highs of 9 °C, January 8 °C with lows of 2 °C, and February 9 °C. On wet or cold days, the free national museums make easy indoor plans.
Several airports serve the city: London City (LCY) is about 12 km away, Heathrow (LHR) about 24 km, Gatwick (LGW) 40 km, Luton (LTN) 44 km and Stansted (STN) 48 km.
Updated:
Weather month by month
| Month | Average daytime high | Rain |
|---|---|---|
| January | 8 °C | 71 mm |
| February | 9 °C | 52 mm |
| March | 11 °C | 54 mm |
| April | 14 °C | 35 mm |
| May | 18 °C | 52 mm |
| June | 21 °C | 63 mm |
| July | 24 °C | 53 mm |
| August | 23 °C | 64 mm |
| September | 21 °C | 46 mm |
| October | 16 °C | 79 mm |
| November | 11 °C | 80 mm |
| December | 9 °C | 78 mm |
Daily averages 2014–2023, NASA POWER, adjusted to the city centre's elevation. A guide, not a forecast.
Use this table on your site
Free to reuse on blogs and travel sites. Paste this HTML; keep the source link.
Questions travellers ask
- What is the best month to visit London?
- For the warmest and most settled weather, May to September works well, with average highs of 18–24 °C; September (21 °C) has only about 46 mm of rain. April is the driest month, with about 35 mm, but cooler at 14 °C.
- How warm is London in summer?
- July, the warmest month, averages highs of 24 °C and August 23 °C, with average lows of 13 °C in both months.
- When does it rain most in London?
- Rain falls all year, about 727 mm in total. The wettest months are November (about 80 mm), October (79 mm) and December (78 mm); April is the driest, at about 35 mm.
- Is London very cold in winter?
- Not usually. January, the coolest month, averages highs of 8 °C and lows of 2 °C; December and February average highs of 9 °C.
- Which airport is closest to London?
- London City (LCY), about 12 km away. Heathrow (LHR) is about 24 km, Gatwick (LGW) 40 km, Luton (LTN) 44 km and Stansted (STN) 48 km.
- Where does this weather data come from?
- From NASA POWER, averaged over 2014–2023 for London.