Backpackers Guide to London
London Weather
Backpackers' Guide to London's Tourist Information | Backpackers' Guide to London Tourist Attractions | Backpackers' Guide to London's Historical Attractions | Backpackers' Guide to Shopping in London | Backpackers' Guide to Sport in London | Backpackers' Guide to Entertainment in London | Backpackers' Guide to Food in London | Backpackers' Guide to London Museums London’s culture and history make it a popular tourist destination, although anyone planning trip to the city often feels some trepidation about the climate. The city is often associated with images of grey skies, deafening claps of thunder and heavy torrents of rain. It seems gloomy, and rather uncomfortable—but how much of it is really just the result of a bad rep? A typical London summer day can be described as balmy, usually consisting of “scattered clouds with sunny periods and showers, possibly heavy at times”. When translated, it means that the heavy downpours that have been correlated with the capital of Britain only happens occasionally. In fact, thanks to the harsh effects of global warming, London is now experiencing moments of drought, with the government banning locals from using garden hoses during the summer. However, the government is apparently not taking the problem sitting down. Air-pollution control systems have already put in place to get rid of pea-soup fogs that once blanketed the city. Still, it is not advisable to buy tickets for outdoor events in advance, since weather can easily change at a drop of a hat. However, London does have a rainy season. Heavy downpours usually occur in November, with the levels reaching up to 2 ½ inches. However, since weather changes can be quite dramatic at times, tourists are advised to bring umbrellas, especially during the months of April, May and June. The warmest period of the year occurs between July to September. However, summer temperatures rarely reach 25oC. To date, the highest recorded temperature was in August 2003, when the scales tipped the 38oC mark. The British are used to cold and chilly weather, which can be too cold for some visitors who aren’t used to such low temperatures. While it is rare for temperatures to drop below 2oC, it is still advisable to bring warm, comfortable clothing, especially during December.
Introduction
Not as much rain as you think
Summers
Winters
Ashlee House, 261-265 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8QT, England
Tel: +44 (0)20 7833 9400 Fax: +44 (0)20 7833 9677
