Climate Overview
London has an oceanic climate with mild 23°C summers and cold 8°C winters — no dramatic extremes. Rainfall is spread evenly (36–76mm monthly) with autumn slightly wetter; humidity climbs to 87–88% Nov–Jan. May–Sep delivers the longest daylight and driest spells; bring an umbrella every other time of year.
Monthly Climate
Temperature range, rainfall, and humidity by month
Monthly Data
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6.5° | 1.4° | 84mm | 87% |
| Feb | 7.7° | 2.8° | 52mm | 84% |
| Mar | 12.7° | 3.9° | 4mm | 75% |
| Apr | 16.6° | 6.6° | 23mm | 61% |
| May | 19.3° | 9.8° | 19mm | 61% |
| Jun | 24.1° | 14° | 34mm | 62% |
| Jul | 24.3° | 15.4° | 61mm | 62% |
| Aug | 23.6° | 14° | 34mm | 65% |
| Sep | 18.9° | 11.1° | 57mm | 74% |
| Oct | 15.1° | 9.7° | 73mm | 81% |
| Nov | 11.7° | 6.7° | 78mm | 85% |
| Dec | 9.8° | 5.4° | 68mm | 86% |
When to Visit
Experiences to seek out and peak periods to plan around
Experiences & Highlights
RHS Chelsea Flower Show mid-May coincides with mild 18°C highs and the driest stretch of spring (≈46mm); Hyde Park and Kew are in full bloom before summer crowds arrive.
Wimbledon fortnight runs late Jun – early Jul during the warmest, driest weeks (highs 22–24°C, rainfall ≈49mm in Jul); long daylight favours Thames walks, open-air theatre at Regent's Park, and rooftop pubs.
Europe's largest street carnival takes over W11 on the August bank-holiday weekend; still warm (23°C) and among the drier summer months (≈43mm) — arrive via Bayswater or Holland Park to skirt the crush.
Guy Fawkes fireworks (5 Nov) kick off the dark-and-damp season (≈70mm rain, 88% humidity, 9°C highs); Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland and the Southbank markets run late-Nov to early-Jan.
Peak Periods & Travel Advisories
SW19 hotels book out months ahead; ground-pass queues start pre-dawn. City-wide rates rise 20–30% across the run.
Road closures across W11/W10, Tube stations (Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill Gate) exit-only or shut; West London accommodation sells out weeks in advance.
Hotels run 1.8–2× shoulder rates; West End shows and NYE fireworks ticketed months out. Expect reduced Tube service on Christmas Day (no service) and Boxing Day.
Official Resources
Government portals and tourism boards for London, United Kingdom