Climate of London

London, United Kingdom
Climate chart (explanation)
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
London on a snowy day in 2018

According to the Köppen Climate Classification, London has a temperate oceanic climate (Cfb).[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] Other stations include Heathrow, beginning in 1948,[4] Hampstead, beginning in 1910,[5] Northolt, beginning in 1948,[6] and St James's Park, beginning in 1910.[7]

The highest temperature ever observed in London is 40.2 °C (104.4 °F) [8] 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.[9] 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.[10] The highest daily minimum temperature recorded is 25.8 °C (78.4 °F), recorded in Kenley on 19 July 2022.[11] In addition to this, London holds multiple national records, including the record maximum for the months of February, April, May and June.[12]

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.[13] Thunderstorms are a similarly occurring feature, occurring on average up to 16 days per year.[14] 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.[15]

  1. ^ Peel, M.C.; Finlayson, B.L. "World Map of Köppen-Geiger climate classification". The University of Melbourne. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Monthly precipitation totals KEW GARDENS 1697- 1987". Wetterzentrale.de. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Temperaturmonatsmittel GREENWICH/MARITIME M 1841- 1960". Archived from the original on 31 July 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Heathrow". CEDA Archive. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Hampstead". CEDA Archive. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Northolt". CEDA Archive. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  7. ^ "St James's park". CEDA Archive. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  8. ^ @metoffice (19 July 2022). "Here are the highest temperatures across the country today 👇 At least 34 sites have exceeded the UK's previous na…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "1962". Trevor Harley. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  10. ^ "British weather in January". Trevor Harley. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Last night was hottest ever recorded with temperatures staying above 25°C". metro.co.uk. 19 July 2022. Archived from the original on 19 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  12. ^ "UK climate extremes". Met Office. Archived from the original on 13 January 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Yearly Snowfall Averages for the United Kingdom". Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Thunderstorms" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  15. ^ Saphora Smith (16 May 2022). "London could run out of water in 25 years as cities worldwide face rising risk of drought, report warns". The Independent. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022. London already receives about half the amount of rain that falls in New York City, and climate change will increase the frequency and intensity of droughts in the region