UK weather

No wonder the British are obsessed with the weather: they have one of the world's most changeable climates. The general pattern in the UK is for summers to be warm and wet and winters to be cool and wet. Read more

Usually in December
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Weather by month
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5-day forecast

Below are the temperatures expected today at popular destinations in the UK. Select a destination to compare today's forecast with average weather conditions.

UK regions

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Recommended for the UK

The weather guide for UK (London) shows long term weather averages processed from data supplied by CRU (University of East Anglia) & today's weather forecast provided by meteoblue. Find out more about our data sources.

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Metric (°C / mm) | Imperial (°F / inches)

UK weather overview

However, the quirky weather in the UK can leave the islands basking in sunshine as hot as the Mediterranean's during a good summer and shivering in temperatures as cold as Moscow's during a particularly harsh winter.

In the United Kingdom, weather conditions vary widely from day to day and from region to region. The southwest is the warmest area while the west coast and the mountains attract the most rain.

The east coast is generally a chilly and blustery region with colder winters than other areas. London and the southeast enjoy more periods of sunshine and are drier and warmer than the north.

The mountains of Scotland, Wales and northern England can be treacherous. In the summer months, they can record some of the highest rainfall in Europe while, in winter, they are prone to blizzards, gales and icy rain.

Unwary mountain walkers frequently have to be rescued when a sudden turn in the weather leaves them stranded and in danger of frostbite or worse.

Scotland, because of its northerly latitude, experiences longer days in the summer and shorter days in the winter than anywhere else in the UK but, as a rule, temperatures there are no lower than in England.

Beautiful autumn weather at Loch Lomond, Scotland, UK © Martynas - Adobe Stock Image

The west of the country is warmer and rainier than the east and visitors exploring the Highlands should be prepared for sudden fog and mists.

Wales is generally less sunny and more rainy than England but its coasts can enjoy prolonged periods of sunshine in the summer and are therefore popular with tourists.

The Welsh Mountains should be approached with respect at any time of year as conditions can quickly turn nasty. Northern Ireland suffers highly changeable weather conditions and tends to be wetter with less sun than other parts of the UK.

More about the UK seasons

What to pack for UK weather

Always bring a range of clothing when touring Britain. Layered clothing, which can be added to or removed according to temperature and conditions, is probably the best bet.

Expect the odd short sharp shower and, if in the Lake District or the mountains, rainwear is strongly recommended.

Best places to go in the UK

Looking for ideas for holidays in the UK? Check out our handpicked lists of top destinations for each month of the year.

Planning holidays in the UK

More about the UK

Which is the hottest month in the UK?

The hottest time of year in London, UK is normally July. Expect maximum daytime temperatures to reach 22°C.

Which month has the most rain in the UK?

In terms of rainfall, December is usually the wettest month in London, UK with 59mm on average. There are normally 14 days in December with some rain.

When is it sunniest in the UK?

The sunniest time of year in London, UK is normally August with bright sunshine on average for 41% of daylight hours; that's 6 hours of sunshine per day.

What is the time difference between the UK and the UK?

The time difference between the UK and the UK is GMT+0 hours.

What is the main language spoken in the UK?

The main language spoken in the UK is English.

Learn a language for the UK with Busuu^*, Lingoda^* and Rocket Languages^*.

What is the currency in the UK?

The currency in the UK is the Pound Sterling (GBP).

Send money to the UK with World Remit^*, Wise^* and Monito^*.

Which plugs are used in the UK?

UK uses electrical plug type G (230 Volts).

Which side of the road do they drive on in the UK?

They drive on the left side of the road in the UK.

Compare UK weather with the USA

Below the UK weather chart shows average maximum daytime temperature for UK (London) and the USA (Washington).

Maximum daytime temperature (°C)

UK (London)

USA (Washington)

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