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According to the Köppen 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) recorded at both Heathrow Airport and St James's Park on 19 July 2022 and the lowest is −17.4 °C (0.7 °F) at Northolt on 13 December 1981. 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.

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

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.

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.

Greenwich - Weather Station in South East London near the river Thames

Average UV index

See also

• River Thames frost fairs
• Climate of the United Kingdom

Notes

1. Also called marine west coast.
2. Mid-latitude temperate maritime climate

References

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External links

• BBC Weather - Forecast for London
• Met Office - Forecast for London

• Geography of London
• Climate of England
• Climate by city