Weather in London in January

January in London is a coat month. Treat it as cities, food and short walks, not as a terrace holiday.

In United Kingdom, this is how London actually wears January, not how a country centroid would. January is the cold side of the year in London. Pack for that, not for a leftover summer photo.

London
Average temp
6°C

3–8°C

Rainfall
59 mm

Showers likely

Sunshine
2 h

hours per day

What to expect

Daytime

You want a proper coat in London in January, not a festival jacket. Wind makes the same afternoon feel sharper than the map suggests.

Outdoor time is the middle of the day. Finish plans before the light goes. Evenings are for indoors.

Rain

January is a wetter month in London. Showers are part of the deal, not a spoiled surprise.

Waterproof shoes matter more than a rain plan for a beach, especially if a beach is not why you came. Build indoor hours into the afternoon.

Evening

Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.

What to pack

  • Rain jacket

  • A layer for cooler evenings

Where to stay in London

Dates are a starting point for January.

All hotels in London

Average weather in London

TemperatureRainfall

Source: MeteostatPeriod: 1991-2020Checked: 28 Aug 2026265 places covered

Similar weather in January

Other destinations whose January averages sit close to this one.

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FAQs about London

Climate averages for London, 1991–2020.

The best time to visit London is between May and October, the most comfortable stretch of the year on these averages.

July is the hottest month, with an average around 19°C.

November is the wettest month, with about 67 mm of rain.

No. These are 1991–2020 climate normals from Meteostat, not a live forecast. Actual weather in any given week can differ.