Climate of London

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Sunrise over Regent Street, London

London, the capital of the United Kingdom and largest city in the United Kingdom, has a temperate oceanic climate, with warm summers and cool winters. While the city annually has modest precipitation, there are long periods of overcast skies and frequent light mist-type precipitation, which may account for the rainy image of the city.

Within the current boundaries of Greater London, the coldest temperature ever recorded was −16.1 °C (3.0 °F) at Northolt in January 1962, and the highest temperature ever recorded was 38.1 °C (100.6 °F), recorded at Kew Gardens during the European Heat Wave of 2003.[1] London averages about 1600 hours of sunshine annually. London's large built-up area creates a microclimate (an "urban heat island"), with heat stored by the city's buildings. Sometimes temperatures are 5 °C (9 °F) warmer in the city than in the surrounding areas. The urban heat island effect creates a microclimate in inner London, as seen in the London weather centre climate table below which features a bordering humid subtropical climate (according to the Trewartha climate classification), compared to the other climate tables below with a cooler oceanic climate.

Classifications[edit]

London Climate according to major climate systems
Climatic scheme Initials Description
Köppen system[2][3] Cfb Oceanic climate[a]
Trewartha system[4][5] Do Temperate oceanic climate
Alisov system[6] N/A Temperate climate[b]
Strahler system[7] N/A Marine west-coast
Thornthwaite system[8]
C2 B'1
 Moist subhumid and mesothermal
Neef system[9][10] N/A West side/maritime climate

Climate data tables[edit]

London Weather Centre[edit]

Climate data for London Weather Centre, 2001-2014 seminormals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 8.5
(47.3) 		8.9
(48.0) 		11.7
(53.1) 		15.7
(60.3) 		18.5
(65.3) 		22.4
(72.3) 		23.6
(74.5) 		23.2
(73.8) 		20.8
(69.4) 		16.1
(61.0) 		11.9
(53.4) 		8.6
(47.5) 		15.8
(60.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) 6.7
(44.1) 		6.8
(44.2) 		8.8
(47.8) 		11.9
(53.4) 		14.7
(58.5) 		18.2
(64.8) 		19.5
(67.1) 		19.3
(66.7) 		17.3
(63.1) 		13.5
(56.3) 		9.9
(49.8) 		7.0
(44.6) 		12.8
(55.0)
Average low °C (°F) 5.0
(41.0) 		4.7
(40.5) 		5.8
(42.4) 		8.2
(46.8) 		10.9
(51.6) 		14.1
(57.4) 		15.5
(59.9) 		15.5
(59.9) 		13.7
(56.7) 		10.9
(51.6) 		8.0
(46.4) 		5.4
(41.7) 		9.8
(49.7)
Source #1: Weather Online [11]
Source #2: Tutiempo [12]

Heathrow - Airport Weather Station in the suburbs of West London[edit]

Climate data for LHR, elevation: 25 m (82 ft), 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1948–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.0
(60.8) 		20.1
(68.2) 		22.8
(73.0) 		27.4
(81.3) 		31.8
(89.2) 		34.8
(94.6) 		37.9
(100.2) 		37.9
(100.2) 		31.3
(88.3) 		28.8
(83.8) 		18.6
(65.5) 		16.6
(61.9) 		37.9
(100.2)
Average high °C (°F) 8.1
(46.6) 		8.4
(47.1) 		11.3
(52.3) 		14.2
(57.6) 		17.9
(64.2) 		21.0
(69.8) 		23.5
(74.3) 		23.2
(73.8) 		19.9
(67.8) 		15.5
(59.9) 		11.1
(52.0) 		8.3
(46.9) 		15.2
(59.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.2
(41.4) 		5.3
(41.5) 		7.6
(45.7) 		9.9
(49.8) 		13.3
(55.9) 		16.4
(61.5) 		18.7
(65.7) 		18.5
(65.3) 		15.7
(60.3) 		12.0
(53.6) 		8.0
(46.4) 		5.5
(41.9) 		11.3
(52.3)
Average low °C (°F) 2.3
(36.1) 		2.1
(35.8) 		3.9
(39.0) 		5.5
(41.9) 		8.7
(47.7) 		11.7
(53.1) 		13.9
(57.0) 		13.7
(56.7) 		11.4
(52.5) 		8.4
(47.1) 		4.9
(40.8) 		2.7
(36.9) 		7.4
(45.4)
Record low °C (°F) −13.2
(8.2) 		−9.6
(14.7) 		−5.1
(22.8) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		−0.9
(30.4) 		1.5
(34.7) 		5.6
(42.1) 		5.9
(42.6) 		1.8
(35.2) 		−3.3
(26.1) 		−7.0
(19.4) 		−11.8
(10.8) 		−13.2
(8.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 55.2
(2.17) 		40.9
(1.61) 		41.6
(1.64) 		43.7
(1.72) 		49.4
(1.94) 		45.1
(1.78) 		44.5
(1.75) 		49.5
(1.95) 		49.1
(1.93) 		68.5
(2.70) 		59.0
(2.32) 		55.2
(2.17) 		601.7
(23.68)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 11.1 8.5 9.3 9.1 8.8 8.2 7.7 7.5 8.1 10.8 10.3 10.2 109.6
Mean monthly sunshine hours 61.5 77.9 114.6 168.7 198.5 204.3 212.0 204.7 149.3 116.5 72.6 52.0 1,632.6
Source #1: Met Office [13]
Source #2: KNMI [14][15]


Kew - Weather station in South West London, adjacent to the River Thames[edit]

Climate data for Kew Gardens, elevation: 6 m (20 ft), 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1901–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.1
(61.0) 		21.2
(70.2) 		22.0
(71.6) 		29.1
(84.4) 		30.6
(87.1) 		34.2
(93.6) 		35.0
(95.0) 		38.1
(100.6) 		33.3
(91.9) 		27.8
(82.0) 		18.9
(66.0) 		15.7
(60.3) 		38.1
(100.6)
Average high °C (°F) 8.2
(46.8) 		8.7
(47.7) 		11.6
(52.9) 		14.4
(57.9) 		18.0
(64.4) 		21.0
(69.8) 		23.5
(74.3) 		23.2
(73.8) 		20.0
(68.0) 		15.8
(60.4) 		11.3
(52.3) 		8.5
(47.3) 		15.4
(59.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.0
(41.0) 		5.2
(41.4) 		7.5
(45.5) 		9.6
(49.3) 		13.0
(55.4) 		15.9
(60.6) 		18.3
(64.9) 		18.0
(64.4) 		15.2
(59.4) 		11.6
(52.9) 		7.7
(45.9) 		5.3
(41.5) 		11.0
(51.8)
Average low °C (°F) 1.8
(35.2) 		1.7
(35.1) 		3.4
(38.1) 		4.7
(40.5) 		7.9
(46.2) 		10.8
(51.4) 		13.0
(55.4) 		12.7
(54.9) 		10.3
(50.5) 		7.4
(45.3) 		4.1
(39.4) 		2.1
(35.8) 		6.7
(44.1)
Record low °C (°F) −12.8
(9.0) 		−11.7
(10.9) 		−8.3
(17.1) 		−2.1
(28.2) 		−3.1
(26.4) 		−0.6
(30.9) 		3.9
(39.0) 		2.1
(35.8) 		1.4
(34.5) 		−3.9
(25.0) 		−7.1
(19.2) 		−11.7
(10.9) 		−12.8
(9.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 57.2
(2.25) 		41.9
(1.65) 		42.8
(1.69) 		45.3
(1.78) 		48.8
(1.92) 		49.3
(1.94) 		46.8
(1.84) 		51.2
(2.02) 		52.2
(2.06) 		69.7
(2.74) 		60.6
(2.39) 		56.6
(2.23) 		622.5
(24.51)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 11.6 9.0 10.0 9.1 9.0 8.5 7.7 8.1 8.5 10.7 11.1 10.6 113.7
Mean monthly sunshine hours 59.8 79.9 118.2 173.3 205.3 203.6 218.4 211.1 146.4 117.2 70.6 49.6 1,653.3
Source: Met Office [16]


Hampstead - Weather Station in North London[edit]

The weather station enclosure is the most elevated of any in the London area, and as a result daytime temperatures are typically one degree lower than Heathrow, Kew, Northolt and Greenwich.

Climate data for Hampstead, elevation: 137 m (449 ft), 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1960–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 15.7
(60.3) 		18.3
(64.9) 		23.1
(73.6) 		26.6
(79.9) 		29.8
(85.6) 		33.7
(92.7) 		34.4
(93.9) 		37.4
(99.3) 		29.4
(84.9) 		28.3
(82.9) 		17.9
(64.2) 		15.3
(59.5) 		37.4
(99.3)
Average high °C (°F) 7.1
(44.8) 		7.4
(45.3) 		10.5
(50.9) 		13.3
(55.9) 		16.8
(62.2) 		19.9
(67.8) 		22.4
(72.3) 		22.0
(71.6) 		18.8
(65.8) 		14.6
(58.3) 		10.3
(50.5) 		7.4
(45.3) 		14.3
(57.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.6
(40.3) 		4.6
(40.3) 		7.0
(44.6) 		9.2
(48.6) 		12.4
(54.3) 		15.4
(59.7) 		17.8
(64.0) 		17.6
(63.7) 		14.9
(58.8) 		11.4
(52.5) 		7.6
(45.7) 		5.0
(41.0) 		10.6
(51.1)
Average low °C (°F) 2.0
(35.6) 		1.7
(35.1) 		3.5
(38.3) 		5.0
(41.0) 		8.0
(46.4) 		10.9
(51.6) 		13.2
(55.8) 		13.1
(55.6) 		11.0
(51.8) 		8.1
(46.6) 		4.8
(40.6) 		2.5
(36.5) 		7.0
(44.6)
Record low °C (°F) −10.8
(12.6) 		−12.2
(10.0) 		−6.9
(19.6) 		−3.2
(26.2) 		−0.6
(30.9) 		1.8
(35.2) 		5.6
(42.1) 		4.7
(40.5) 		2.4
(36.3) 		−2.4
(27.7) 		−5.8
(21.6) 		−8.4
(16.9) 		−12.2
(10.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 64.7
(2.55) 		46.6
(1.83) 		48.9
(1.93) 		51.5
(2.03) 		58.0
(2.28) 		54.2
(2.13) 		50.4
(1.98) 		64.4
(2.54) 		56.9
(2.24) 		77.7
(3.06) 		68.3
(2.69) 		62.9
(2.48) 		704.5
(27.74)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 12.0 9.7 10.2 9.9 9.5 9.0 8.5 8.9 8.8 11.0 11.4 11.4 120.1
Mean monthly sunshine hours 57.5 76.4 107.1 151.6 192.2 191.0 199.9 193.0 140.8 109.9 69.4 51.6 1,540.4
Source #1: Met Office [17]
Source #2: KNMI [18]


Northolt - Airfield Weather Station in the North West of London[edit]

Temperature extremes range from 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) in August 2003, down to −16.1 °C (3.0 °F) in January 1962.

Climate data for NHT, elevation: 40 m (131 ft), 1981–2010 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 7.9
(46.2) 		8.3
(46.9) 		11.3
(52.3) 		14.1
(57.4) 		17.7
(63.9) 		20.8
(69.4) 		23.2
(73.8) 		22.9
(73.2) 		19.7
(67.5) 		15.4
(59.7) 		11.0
(51.8) 		8.2
(46.8) 		15.1
(59.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.8
(40.6) 		4.9
(40.8) 		7.4
(45.3) 		9.5
(49.1) 		12.9
(55.2) 		15.9
(60.6) 		18.2
(64.8) 		17.9
(64.2) 		15.1
(59.2) 		11.5
(52.7) 		7.6
(45.7) 		5.2
(41.4) 		10.9
(51.6)
Average low °C (°F) 1.7
(35.1) 		1.5
(34.7) 		3.4
(38.1) 		4.8
(40.6) 		8.0
(46.4) 		10.9
(51.6) 		13.2
(55.8) 		12.9
(55.2) 		10.5
(50.9) 		7.6
(45.7) 		4.1
(39.4) 		2.1
(35.8) 		6.8
(44.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 58.2
(2.29) 		43.4
(1.71) 		45.5
(1.79) 		45.8
(1.80) 		56.0
(2.20) 		47.5
(1.87) 		45.3
(1.78) 		51.3
(2.02) 		50.6
(1.99) 		72.2
(2.84) 		64.9
(2.56) 		59.0
(2.32) 		639.8
(25.19)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 11.4 9.2 10.0 9.3 9.2 8.6 8.0 8.2 8.3 10.8 10.7 10.5 114.2
Source: Met Office [19]


Greenwich - Weather Station in South East London near the river Thames[edit]

Climate data for Greenwich Park, elevation: 47 m (154 ft), 1981–2010 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14.4
(57.9) 		19.7
(67.5) 		21.7
(71.1) 		25.6
(78.1) 		30.0
(86.0) 		32.8
(91.0) 		35.3
(95.5) 		37.5
(99.5) 		30.0
(86.0) 		25.6
(78.1) 		18.9
(66.0) 		15.0
(59.0) 		37.5
(99.5)
Average high °C (°F) 8.1
(46.6) 		8.6
(47.5) 		11.6
(52.9) 		14.6
(58.3) 		18.1
(64.6) 		21.0
(69.8) 		23.4
(74.1) 		23.1
(73.6) 		20.0
(68.0) 		15.5
(59.9) 		11.3
(52.3) 		8.4
(47.1) 		15.3
(59.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.6
(42.1) 		5.7
(42.3) 		8.1
(46.6) 		10.3
(50.5) 		13.5
(56.3) 		16.4
(61.5) 		18.6
(65.5) 		18.5
(65.3) 		15.7
(60.3) 		12.2
(54.0) 		8.6
(47.5) 		5.9
(42.6) 		11.6
(52.9)
Average low °C (°F) 3.1
(37.6) 		2.7
(36.9) 		4.6
(40.3) 		5.9
(42.6) 		8.9
(48.0) 		11.8
(53.2) 		13.7
(56.7) 		13.8
(56.8) 		11.4
(52.5) 		8.8
(47.8) 		5.8
(42.4) 		3.4
(38.1) 		7.8
(46.0)
Record low °C (°F) −9.4
(15.1) 		−9.4
(15.1) 		−7.8
(18.0) 		−2.2
(28.0) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		5.0
(41.0) 		7.2
(45.0) 		6.1
(43.0) 		2.8
(37.0) 		−3.3
(26.1) 		−5.0
(23.0) 		−7.2
(19.0) 		−9.4
(15.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 41.6
(1.64) 		36.3
(1.43) 		40.3
(1.59) 		40.1
(1.58) 		44.9
(1.77) 		47.4
(1.87) 		34.6
(1.36) 		54.3
(2.14) 		51.0
(2.01) 		61.1
(2.41) 		57.5
(2.26) 		48.4
(1.91) 		557.4
(21.94)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 11.4 8.5 9.8 9.0 9.2 7.4 6.3 8.1 8.6 10.9 10.9 9.5 109.4
Mean monthly sunshine hours 44.7 65.4 101.7 148.3 170.9 171.4 176.7 186.1 133.9 105.4 59.6 45.8 1,410
Source #1: Met Office[20][21][22]
Source #2: BBC Weather[23]


See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Also called marine west coast.
  2. ^ Mid-latitude temperate maritime climate

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Past weather events: Hot spell - August 2003" (PDF). Met Office. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  2. ^ Union, Publications Office of the European (5 January 2017). "Modelling inclusion, testing and benchmarking of the impacts of ozone pollution on crop yields at regional level". publications.europa.eu. doi:10.2788/68501. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  3. ^ "London, England Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  4. ^ "GLOBAL ECOLOGICAL ZONING FOR THE GLOBAL FOREST RESOURCES ASSESSMENT 2000". www.fao.org. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  5. ^ "Trewartha maps". kkh.ltrr.arizona.edu. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  6. ^ Cmapm, Kliimavöötmed svg: Urmasderivative work (16 June 2011), Русский: Климатические пояса Земли по Б. П. Алисову., retrieved 1 July 2019
  7. ^ "World Strahler Climate Map".
  8. ^ Feddema, Johannes J. (January 2005). "A Revised Thornthwaite-Type Global Climate Classification". Physical Geography. 26 (6): 442–466. doi:10.2747/0272-3646.26.6.442. ISSN 0272-3646.
  9. ^ "Klimaklassifikation". www.spektrum.de (in German). Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  10. ^ "Klimazonen nach E. Neef (1989)". Klett-Perthes.
  11. ^ "London Weather Centre analysis". Weather Online. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  12. ^ "climate: Climate London Weather Centre". Tutiempo. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  13. ^ "London Heathrow Airport". Met Office. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  14. ^ "Heathrow Airport Extreme Values". KNMI. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  15. ^ "Heathrow 1981–2010 mean maximum and minimum values". KNMI. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  16. ^ "Kew 1981–2010 averages". Met Office. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  17. ^ "Hampstead 1981–2010 averages". Met Office. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  18. ^ "Indices data - Hampstead 1859". KNMI. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  19. ^ "Northolt 1981–2010 averages". Met Office. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  20. ^ "Greenwich 1981–2010 averages". Met Office. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  21. ^ "Hot Spell - August 2003". Met Office. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  22. ^ "Record Breaking Heat and Sunshine - July 2006". Met Office. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  23. ^ "London Forecast". Met Office. Retrieved 17 December 2018.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Climate_of_London&oldid=909277393"