Weather in London: Forecast, Current Temps & Alerts

London has a reputation for keeping its weather opinions to itself — one minute you’re reaching for sunglasses, the next you’re sheltering under a shop awning. If you’re trying to figure out whether to pack a coat or risk it with just a jumper, you’re not overthinking it. London’s conditions can swing enough in a single afternoon to make both choices feel reasonable. Here’s what the data shows right now, what the forecast points toward, and how to dress like you actually live here.

Current high: 14°C ·
Current low: 8°C ·
Wind: 20 mph from East ·
Feels like: 53°F ·
Forecast days: 7-14

These key metrics capture London’s recent weather patterns and long-term climate context.

What’s the weather like in London?

London’s weather resists easy categorization — it’s rarely extreme, but it rewards staying prepared. According to WeatherSpark climate analytics (climate analytics platform), the city typically sits within a 39°F to 74°F annual range, rarely dropping below 30°F or climbing above 84°F.

Right now, conditions are characteristically unsettled. NW3 Weather local station (local Hampstead station) recorded temperatures around 13.4°C with 52% humidity, while Weather Underground daily history (daily history archive) measured the London Heliport station at 56°F. The gap between these two readings — just a few miles apart — illustrates why “London weather” means different things depending on where you are in the city.

Current temperature and conditions

The most recent verified data from Visual Crossing weather data provider (weather data provider) shows that between April 5 and April 20, 2026, London’s temperature spanned from a low of 38.2°F on April 6 to a high of 78.5°F on April 8. Total precipitation during that two-and-a-half-week window measured just 0.063 inches, concentrated entirely on April 17.

That swing — 40 degrees in roughly 48 hours — is the real story. It captures London’s weather personality better than any single reading could.

Wind, humidity, and visibility

Current wind readings show 20 mph from the East, producing a “feels like” temperature of 53°F — notably chillier than the actual 14°C high suggests. NW3 Weather local station (local Hampstead station, active since July 2010) recently logged humidity at 78% with pressure at 1029 hPa, indicating stable, dry conditions despite the cloud cover.

Hampstead Heath’s famous swimming ponds registered around 9.4°C recently, according to NW3 Weather local station (local weather station) — cold enough that even hardy open-water swimmers are still wearing wetsuits.

Is it hot or cold in London now?

It depends entirely on when you’re asking. The April 20, 2009 reading from World Weather Online historical archive (historical weather archive) showed a high of 17°C with a low of 5°C. Six years later, April 20, 2015 delivered 16°C and 4°C — a degree cooler, but essentially the same jacket weather. In other words, mid-to-late April has historically hovered in the “layer required, coat optional” zone.

By contrast, Tootbus travel guide (travel inspiration resource) reports that summer (June–August) averages range from 18°C to 25°C, with heat waves capable of pushing temperatures above 30°C. The 2022 heatwave — the first time London’s official stations recorded 40°C — remains an extreme but no longer unimaginable benchmark.

Today’s high and low

Based on current data, London is showing a high around 14°C and a low near 8°C. The 20 mph easterly wind drops the “feels like” reading to roughly 53°F — cold enough that bare forearms will notice it, warm enough that a heavy winter coat feels unnecessary.

Feels like temperature

The gap between actual temperature and perceived temperature matters more in London than in continental climates, where you’d dress for the number on the thermometer. London Travel Planning seasonal guide (travel blog with detailed seasonal advice) notes that layering is “critical for London weather due to changeability” — a point echoed across Tripadvisor traveler forum (traveler forum), where visitors consistently recommend a lightweight waterproof jacket and thin layers over a single heavy piece.

The pattern: London’s spring feels colder than it reads because of wind chill and the sudden cloud shifts that interrupt sunny spells. What registers as 14°C on an app often plays closer to 10°C when you’re standing still waiting for a bus.

What temperature will it be in London next week?

Short-term forecasts — the 7-day range from Met Office official authority (UK’s official weather authority) and BBC Weather broadcaster (established broadcaster) — offer reasonable reliability for planning purposes. Both are considered Tier 1–2 sources, meaning their methodology and observation networks are transparent and peer-reviewed.

Extended forecasts beyond 10 days become increasingly speculative. Visual Crossing weather data provider (weather data provider) notes that London’s weather data extends back to 1970, and the Kaggle community dataset (community dataset repository) dataset covers 1979–2021. These historical baselines give context but can’t predict specific days.

Tomorrow’s outlook

For visitors heading out tomorrow: expect sunny intervals with temperatures likely climbing toward the high end of the 14–18°C spring range. Tootbus travel guide (travel inspiration resource) describes spring as ranging from “bright/warm to mild/rainy,” which covers most eventualities. Check the Met Office official authority (official weather authority) for any yellow or amber warnings before heading out.

7-14 day trends

Trend watchers should know that London Travel Planning seasonal guide (travel blog) documents an average of 9 rainy days during March–May, with spring lows between 6°C and 10°C. That means roughly one in three days brings precipitation — not a downbeat forecast, but enough to make a waterproof layer genuinely useful rather than optional.

What to wear in London weather?

The short answer from Tootbus travel guide (travel inspiration resource): “No need for a heavy jumper, bring a lightweight waterproof jacket and wear thin layers.” This consensus appears across London Travel Planning, Wit & Whimsy packing blog (packing blog), and Tripadvisor traveler threads. The city is walkable, and soggy jeans are the most common tourist mistake.

Layering for variable conditions

Spring in London means t-shirts under a cardigan under a jacket — three pieces that let you peel off layers as the afternoon warms and add them back when clouds roll in. London Travel Planning seasonal guide (travel blog) specifics for March–May: “t-shirts, leggings/jeans, waterproof jacket” with average lows of 6°C–10°C and highs of 12°C–18°C.

Summer loosens up: Tootbus travel guide (travel inspiration resource) recommends “dresses, skirts, shorts, strappy crop tops and sandals” for hot days, with jeans and a thin jacket for cooler evenings. The trade-off is that summer brings its own surprises — humid storms rolling in from the Atlantic can drop the temperature 10 degrees within an hour.

Tips for visitors

Footwear matters more than most packing guides admit. Pints Pounds and Pate travel blog (travel blog) emphasizes “comfortable walking sneakers or ankle boots” as essential — London’s pavement-heavy terrain punishes flimsy shoes. London Travel Planning seasonal guide (travel blog) adds that jeans “become soggy in rain; prefer for evenings” — a practical note that saves travelers from uncomfortable days.

What to watch: even in summer, Tootbus travel guide (travel inspiration resource) advises always checking the forecast for rain and packing a “light jumper/cardigan.” London summers are warm but not reliably sunny.

“Layering is critical! Think a thermal vest then long-sleeved T-shirt or sweater.”

— London Travel Planning (travel planner)

What is the hottest it’s ever been in London?

On July 19, 2022, London crossed a threshold it had never crossed before: 40°C. According to Tootbus travel guide (travel inspiration resource), this came during a heatwave that pushed the UK to its highest-ever recorded temperature. The event shattered records that had stood for decades and triggered emergency protocols across the city.

The Met Office official authority (UK’s official weather authority) maintains climate records from stations running 50–100+ years, making 2022’s reading historically verifiable and significant. Summer temperatures exceeding 30°C have become more frequent since then, though they remain exceptional rather than normal.

Record 40 degrees event

The 2022 heatwave wasn’t just a record — it was a climate signal. WeatherSpark climate analytics (climate analytics platform) notes that London’s typical summer range of 21°C–23°C rarely exceeded 84°F before the 2010s. The 2022 event, combined with data showing warming trends, has made 40°C a scenario London now plans for rather than dismisses.

This matters for visitors: London’s buildings aren’t built for heat. No air conditioning is standard in most flats and many hotels. The practical implication is that summer travel requires heat contingency planning — identifying shaded routes, carrying water, understanding which Underground stations have cooling.

Coldest month comparison

January sits at the opposite extreme. Tootbus travel guide (travel inspiration resource) reports winter (December–February) averages 2°C–10°C — cold enough for frosts but rarely a deep freeze. WeatherSpark climate analytics (climate analytics platform) confirms the city rarely drops below 30°F, which means snow is possible but not persistent. When it does snow, the city slows down — a few centimeters bring train cancellations and traffic chaos disproportionate to the actual accumulation.

“When the temperatures soar, make the most of it with cute summer dresses, skirts, shorts, strappy crop tops and sandals.”

— Tootbus (travel inspiration resource)

The paradox of London summer dressing is that the heat that makes you want to wear less can also make you miserable if you’re caught in a sudden storm or an Underground platform with no ventilation. London Travel Planning seasonal guide (travel blog) resolves this with the “lightweight waterproof jacket” as the single most useful item — protective against both rain and air-conditioned interiors, which in London tend to run colder than expected.

Related reading: East Coast Weather Bomb Cyclone

London’s forecasts from BBC and Met Office, covering highs, lows and alerts, align closely with details in the 10-day London forecast for extended planning.

Frequently asked questions

For tourists navigating London’s famously unpredictable conditions, the choice is clear: pack layers, check Met Office official authority before heading out each morning, and treat the 14°C “high” as a starting point rather than a promise. London’s weather doesn’t cooperate with plans — it rewards the adaptable.