Weather in London

Needless to say, it isn't the weather that attracts expats to London. The skies over the city are seemingly in a constant state of gloom, only pierced (very) occasional by sunny days – which residents of course proceed to make full use of when they do come by, spending as much time outdoors as possible.

London has a temperate climate, with pleasantly mild daily highs in summer (although there is the odd hysteria-inducing heat wave) and winter lows that approach freezing but shyly recoil at the last minute.

Rainfall is a constant, mostly in the form of a gentle (relentless) drizzle, throughout the year. Snow falls occasionally in winter but seldom more than a few millimetres.

Summer temperatures range from 57°F (14°C) to 75°F (24°C), while average winter temperatures range from 37°F (3°C) to 46°F (8°C). July is the hottest summer month, averaging 66°F (19°C), and January is the coldest winter month, averaging 39°F (4°C).

London is a great city to visit whatever the weather, but most tourists prefer to visit between April and October, when the temperature is usually warm and the days are long and sometimes sunny. Among expats, though, the weather and grey skies are the number one complaint about living in London, with the cost of living a close second.