London weather by month

When to go to London

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: none reach a 25°C average here, so London suits city breaks and walking more than beach holidays; the warmest is July. November is the wettest month (64 mm, about 11 rainy days) and March the driest (43 mm).

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to London Heathrow Airport (LHR, 24 km from London) takes roughly 0 h 48 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/London.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in London between 1991 and 2020 reached 35.2°C on 25 July 2019; the coldest fell to -12.0°C on 9 February 1991. In July one day in ten tops 26.1°C and about 1% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to -2.5°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was October 2020 with 159 mm, against a October average of 60 mm.

Spring: a noticeable improvement from March to May

March still feels cool, with daytime averages of 10°C and nights at 3°C, so keep a proper coat in your bag rather than relying on light spring clothing. It is the driest month by rainfall amount, but that does not make it reliably dry. April brings a useful lift to 14°C by day, making outdoor plans more comfortable, though evenings still call for warm layers. May is the better choice if you want to spend much of the day walking: afternoons average 17°C, with 5 hours of sunshine. A light waterproof remains useful, and temperatures fall once the day is over.

Summer: the strongest choice for outdoor plans

June, July and August offer London's best balance for a weather-led trip. June averages 20°C by day, while July is the warmest and sunniest month, with 6 hours of sunshine. August stays close behind at 21°C, so there is little reason to choose July over August for warmth alone. These are comfortable averages for spending time outside, not a promise of constant heat or clear skies. Rain still occurs on 10 or 11 days each month. Pack light daytime clothes alongside a waterproof and an evening layer: June nights average 11°C, while July and August nights average 14°C.

Autumn and winter: cooler days and more need for indoor flexibility

September is the strongest choice beyond summer, with daytime averages of 19°C and fewer rain days than any other month. October drops to 15°C, so layers become more useful for a full day outside. November marks a clearer change: days average 10°C, sunshine falls to 2 hours, and it is the wettest month by rainfall amount. December and January are better suited to trips with flexible indoor plans than long stretches outdoors. December averages 8°C by day; January is the coolest month, with nights at 2°C. February edges back up to 8°C by day but remains cold after dark. Through this cooler stretch, bring a warm coat, shoes that cope with wet pavements and a waterproof outer layer.