Is it rainy in London in December?

Winter arrives in London in December, bringing with it cold and rainy weather. There will be mostly overcast days with some rain, but no storms or torrential rains. Exploring the city through strolls or biking becomes less practical during this season. Additionally, December days are noticeably shorter than the nights.

What are the rainiest months in London?

Rainfall in London

Overall rainfall is highest in November and August (64mm and 59mm respectively) and is lowest in March and April (37mm each). On wet days, why not visit one of London's top museums and art galleries or entertain the kids with one of these family outings for rainy days.

Is December a good time to go to London?

Is December a good time to visit London? December in London is magical! There are Christmas markets, lights and celebrations everywhere, and the streets are thronged with festive shoppers. Various London venues like Hyde Park, Southbank and Trafalgar Square also hold special events.

Is London rainy in winter?

Winter (December - February)

Winters in London are characterised by cold and often rainy weather. The average high between December and February is 48°F (9°C) and the average low is 41°F (5°C).

Should I go to London for Christmas?

Christmas in London is truly an enchanting time to visit. There's a certain magic that can be felt throughout December. The lights are brighter, smiles are larger, and the city's attractions look even more beautiful than usual. Read our guide for a full run-down of recommended activities.

Things To Do & Weather in December | London

Is London very cold in December?

As we near Christmas, daytime highs tend to be mostly 6-7 C (mid-40's F) and early morning lows around 3-4 C (upper 30's F). A few mornings will see temperatures dipping down to around -1 to -2 C (30 F). The coldest temperature recorded in London in December was -12 C (10 F).

What is the weather like in London at Christmas 2023?

London will likely see a damp and miserly Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the sun set to shine on Boxing Day. There could also be further winds and heavy showers, giving potential for more transport chaos after the torrid week some have experienced thus far.

Is it true that it rains a lot in London?

Greenwich Observatory, London gets 562mm per year on average. That's less than Malta (592mm) and Rome (586mm) and very similar to Barcelona (520mm). London's rain is about half of the annual average of Sydney (1,222mm) or Orlando or New York (1,175mm and 1,059mm respectively).

Is London rainy all year round?

In an average year one can expect 200 dry days out of 365 and a precipitation total of about 23 inches (585 mm) evenly distributed across the 12 months.

Is London the most rainy city?

London is one of the driest at number 63 with a mere 557mm of rain. So if you want to stay dry then move east to places like Cambridge, York and Lincoln with London probably the driest city in the UK even though it has suffered terribly from flash floods in 2021.

Why is London so busy in December?

December in London is festive and vibrant. Expect Christmas markets, sparkling lights, ice-skating rinks, and special holiday exhibits. The weather is typically cold and it gets dark early, so warm clothing and an appreciation for winter evenings are essential.

Is it better to go to London before or after Christmas?

If cheap is your priority, come after New Year. having just returned from a pre-Xmas trip I can categorically say do a pre-Xmas trip...the city looked lovely... magnificent light displays along Regent, Oxford, Carnaby, Bond and Molton Streets and Covent Garden... Hyde Park Winter Wonderland was wonderful...

Is London expensive during Christmas?

A recent survey suggests that Londoners spend an average of £973 on Christmas, including the gifts, food, drink and all the extras it entails. The tally is lower in some regions (£752 in Scotland, £803 in East Anglia) but, for many families, the bill will be even higher.

What are the 2 coldest months in London?

Many visitors ask about London's weather and how to pack for London's weather. The coldest month in London is usually February. The average low is about 2 °C (35 °F), but there will be occasional drops below freezing throughout both January and February.

Why is London so rainy?

The Gulf Stream is just one of those ocean currents, transporting relatively warm water from the Gulf of Mexico to the British Isles. Warm water evaporates faster than cool water, and when you consider that the UK is surrounded by sea, it becomes clear why we're particularly prone to rain…

What is the weather like in London at Christmas?

London Weather in December

Early in December, temperatures tend to fluctuate between 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) and 49 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius). Later in the month, the temperature drops slightly and some mornings might see freezing temperatures.

Is London the rainiest city in Europe?

The 'raining champion' is Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro which has 1661mm of rain per year, way more than second-placed Slovenian capital Ljubljana which has 1368mm. London gets 557.4 a year. Mind you, if the UK's capital was Manchester it would probably be a very different story.

Where is the wettest place in the UK?

That achievement goes to the small village of Capel Curig, which lies right in the heart of Snowdonia in Wales. The station there records an average annual rainfall of 2,612.18 mm, making it the official wettest place in the UK.

What is the wettest month in the UK?

The wettest months in the United Kingdom tend to be at the start and ends of the year. In the period of consideration, the greatest measurement of rainfall was nearly 217 millimeters, recorded in December 2015. The lowest level of rainfall was recorded in April 2021, at 20.5 millimeters.

What are winters like in London?

In the winter months, there are approximately 6/7 days per month with minimum temperatures below freezing. On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature generally drops to -4/-5 °C (23/25 °F), but can sometimes drop to lower values. The coldest record is -13.2 °C (8.2 °F) and was set in January 1963.

How dark are London winters?

The shortest day here comes at the winter solstice, on 21 December. On that day, London gets just under 8 hours of daylight, as Earth's north pole is pointing away from the Sun. In the summer equivalent in June, days last over 8 hours 45 mins longer in London.

Does it rain more in London or Amsterdam?

London has a lower average annual rainfall total than Copenhagen, Eindhoven and Amsterdam. (Amsterdam receives 40% more rainfall, per year).

Will it snow December 2023 London?

According to forecasters, WXCharts, on Sunday, December 31, on the last day of 2023, snow will spread across parts of South West and North East London.

Will it be a white Christmas 2023 UK?

Met Office forecasters have confirmed "some snow falling across the Scottish high ground", officially making 2023 a white Christmas.

Will it snow in December 2023 UK?

According to those maps, Scotland will get some snow on Saturday, December 23 and some parts of northern England will see snowfall on Christmas Eve. It forecasts that the most affected areas could witness up to 9.5 inches of snow on the ground.