View source for Climate of London

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{climate chart
| [[London, United Kingdom]]
|2.68|8.42|58.83
|2.65|8.98|44.96
|4.14|11.73|38.78
|6.03|15.00|42.31
|9.08|18.37|45.91
|12.03|21.57|47.25
|14.18|23.89|45.80
|14.06|23.40|52.78
|11.62|20.22|49.61
|8.78|15.81|65.07
|5.26|11.47|66.63
|3.08|8.79|57.05
|float=right
|clear=none
}}
[[File:Wood Green rooftops in snow from Tottenham 02.jpg|thumb|right|270px|London on a snowy day in 2018]]

According to the [[Köppen climate classification]], [[London]] has a [[oceanic climate|temperate oceanic climate]] ('''Cfb''').<ref>{{cite web|url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Koppen_World_Map_%28retouched_version%29.png|title=World Map of Köppen-Geiger climate classification|last1=Peel|first1=M.C.|last2=Finlayson|first2=B.L.|publisher=The University of Melbourne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113015116/http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Koppen_World_Map_%28retouched_version%29.png|archive-date=January 13, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=27 June 2020}}</ref> This type of climate features cool winters with frequent cloudy skies and rain showers (and on occasion snow), and mild summers. [[Precipitation]] is fairly evenly distributed all year round. 

London has a long history of meteorological observations, with precipitation records beginning as early as January 1697 at [[Kew Gardens]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://old.wetterzentrale.de/klima/pkewgar.html|title=Monthly precipitation totals KEW GARDENS 1697- 1987|publisher=Wetterzentrale.de|access-date=13 September 2020|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224100657/http://old.wetterzentrale.de/klima/pkewgar.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Irregular observations were made at multiple locations in the ensuing years. An observing station has been located at [[Greenwich]] since 1841, giving London its longest continuous reliable temperature series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://old.wetterzentrale.de/klima/tgreenw.html|title=Temperaturmonatsmittel GREENWICH/MARITIME M 1841- 1960|access-date=13 September 2020|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731041305/http://old.wetterzentrale.de/klima/tgreenw.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other stations include [[Heathrow]], beginning in 1948,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.ceda.ac.uk/badc/ukmo-midas-open/data/uk-daily-temperature-obs/dataset-version-201908/greater-london/00708_heathrow/qc-version-1|title=Heathrow|publisher=CEDA Archive|access-date=13 September 2020|archive-date=28 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928185742/https://data.ceda.ac.uk/badc/ukmo-midas-open/data/uk-daily-temperature-obs/dataset-version-201908/greater-london/00708_heathrow/qc-version-1|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Hampstead]], beginning in 1910,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.ceda.ac.uk/badc/ukmo-midas-open/data/uk-daily-temperature-obs/dataset-version-201908/greater-london/00695_hampstead/qc-version-1|publisher=CEDA Archive|title=Hampstead|access-date=13 September 2020|archive-date=28 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928185736/https://data.ceda.ac.uk/badc/ukmo-midas-open/data/uk-daily-temperature-obs/dataset-version-201908/greater-london/00695_hampstead/qc-version-1|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Northolt]], beginning in 1948,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.ceda.ac.uk/badc/ukmo-midas-open/data/uk-daily-temperature-obs/dataset-version-201908/greater-london/00709_northolt/qc-version-1|title=Northolt|publisher=CEDA Archive|access-date=13 September 2020|archive-date=28 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928185738/https://data.ceda.ac.uk/badc/ukmo-midas-open/data/uk-daily-temperature-obs/dataset-version-201908/greater-london/00709_northolt/qc-version-1|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[St James's Park]], beginning in 1910.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.ceda.ac.uk/badc/ukmo-midas-open/data/uk-daily-temperature-obs/dataset-version-201908/greater-london/00697_london-st-jamess-park/qc-version-1|title=St James's park|publisher=CEDA Archive|access-date=13 September 2020|archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929221139/https://data.ceda.ac.uk/badc/ukmo-midas-open/data/uk-daily-temperature-obs/dataset-version-201908/greater-london/00697_london-st-jamess-park/qc-version-1|url-status=live}}</ref>

The highest temperature ever observed in London is {{convert|40.2|C}} <ref>{{cite tweet|number=1549448971676012546|user=metoffice|title=Here are the highest temperatures across the country today 👇 At least 34 sites have exceeded the UK's previous na…|date=19 July 2022}}</ref> recorded at both [[Heathrow Airport]] and [[St James's Park]] on 19 July 2022 and the lowest is {{Convert|-17.4|C}} at [[Northolt]] on 13 December 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trevorharley.com/1962.html|title=1962|publisher=[[Trevor Harley]]|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511113302/https://www.trevorharley.com/1962.html|url-status=live}}</ref>        The lowest daily maximum temperature is {{Convert|-8.3|C}} occurring on 3 occasions: 8 January 1841, 4 January 1867 and 12 January 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trevorharley.com/weather-january.html|title=British weather in January|publisher=[[Trevor Harley]]|access-date=13 September 2020|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427114951/https://www.trevorharley.com/weather-january.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The highest daily minimum temperature recorded is {{Convert|25.8|C}}, recorded in [[Kenley]] on 19 July 2022.<ref>{{cite news|title=Last night was hottest ever recorded with temperatures staying above 25°C|url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/07/19/uk-weather-temperatures-didnt-drop-below-25c-on-warmest-ever-night-17024857/|publisher=metro.co.uk|date=19 July 2022|accessdate=19 July 2022|archive-date=19 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719071715/https://metro.co.uk/2022/07/19/uk-weather-temperatures-didnt-drop-below-25c-on-warmest-ever-night-17024857/|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to this, London holds multiple national records, including the record maximum for the months of February, April, May and June.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-extremes|title=UK climate extremes|publisher=[[Met Office]]|access-date=13 September 2020|archive-date=13 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113114936/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-extremes|url-status=live}}</ref>

The city can sometimes experience extremes. Snowfall is an infrequent occurrence in winter, falling on an average of 16 days per year, though infrequently heavy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/United-Kingdom/snowfall-annual-average.php|title=Yearly Snowfall Averages for the United Kingdom|access-date=1 June 2021|archive-date=13 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513131827/https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/United-Kingdom/snowfall-annual-average.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Thunderstorms are a similarly occurring feature, occurring on average up to 16 days per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/library-and-archive/library/publications/factsheets/factsheet_2-thunderstorms.pdf|title=Thunderstorms|access-date=1 June 2021|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215047/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/library-and-archive/library/publications/factsheets/factsheet_2-thunderstorms.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> London rarely experiences tornadoes, although an [[Fujita scale|F2]] struck [[Kensal Green]] on [[2006 London tornado|7 December 2006]]. Severe weather and extremes in temperature are uncommon. 

London is vulnerable to [[climate change in the United Kingdom]], and there is increasing concern among [[hydrology|hydrological]] experts that London households may run out of water before 2050.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/london-water-drought-climate-change-b2079811.html?amp|title=London could run out of water in 25 years as cities worldwide face rising risk of drought, report warns |author=Saphora Smith|newspaper=The Independent|date=16 May 2022|accessdate=5 June 2022|quote=London already receives about half the amount of rain that falls in New York City, and climate change will increase the frequency and intensity of droughts in the region|archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605013148/https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/london-water-drought-climate-change-b2079811.html?amp|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Classifications ==
{{Schemebox
|city =London

| source_k =<ref>{{Cite book|author=((Joint Research Centre (European Commission), University of Milano)) |url=https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/73f41d46-d3dd-11e6-ad7c-01aa75ed71a1/language-en |title=Modelling inclusion, testing and benchmarking of the impacts of ozone pollution on crop yields at regional level |date=2017-01-05 |via=publications.europa.eu |publisher=EU Publications |language=en |doi=10.2788/68501 |isbn=9789279649455 |access-date=2019-07-01 |archive-date=2 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702193809/https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/73f41d46-d3dd-11e6-ad7c-01aa75ed71a1/language-en |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=67730&cityname=London,+England,+United+Kingdom|title=London, England Köppen Climate Classification |website=Weatherbase |access-date=2019-07-01|archive-date=22 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022145740/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=67730&cityname=London,+England,+United+Kingdom|url-status=live}}</ref>
| initial_k ={{KoppenClimate|Cfb}} 
| description_k =[[Oceanic climate]]{{Efn|Also called marine west coast.|name=|group=}}

| source_t =<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/3/ad652e/ad652e07.htm|title=GLOBAL ECOLOGICAL ZONING FOR THE GLOBAL FOREST RESOURCES ASSESSMENT 2000|website=www.fao.org|access-date=2019-07-01|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330221222/http://www.fao.org/3/ad652e/ad652e07.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kkh.ltrr.arizona.edu/kkh/climate/trewartha_maps.htm|title=Trewartha maps|website=kkh.ltrr.arizona.edu|access-date=2019-07-01|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417043912/https://kkh.ltrr.arizona.edu/kkh/climate/trewartha_maps.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
| initial_t ={{TrewarthaClimate|Do}} 
| description_t =Temperate [[oceanic climate]]

| source_a =<ref>{{Citation|last=Cmapm|first=Kliimavöötmed svg: Urmasderivative work|title=Русский: Климатические пояса Земли по Б. П. Алисову.|date=2011-06-16|url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alisov%27s_classification_of_climate_ru.jpg|access-date=2019-07-01|archive-date=8 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208171704/https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alisov%27s_classification_of_climate_ru.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref>
| initial_a ={{n/a}} 
| description_a =[[Temperate climate]]{{Efn|Mid-latitude temperate maritime climate|name=|group=}}

| source_s =<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c5/16/b8/c516b8c463fa99df0da778f768c85965.jpg|title=World Strahler Climate Map|access-date=1 July 2019|archive-date=1 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701173007/https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c5/16/b8/c516b8c463fa99df0da778f768c85965.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref>
| initial_s = {{n/a}}
| description_s =[[Oceanic climate|Marine west-coast]]

| source_tw =<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Feddema|first=Johannes J.|date=January 2005|title=A Revised Thornthwaite-Type Global Climate Classification|journal=Physical Geography|language=en|volume=26|issue=6|pages=442–466|doi=10.2747/0272-3646.26.6.442|s2cid=128745497 |issn=0272-3646}}</ref>
| initial_tw ={{center|''C2 B'1''}}
| description_tw =Moist subhumid and [[mesothermal]]

| source_n =<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spektrum.de/lexikon/geographie/klimaklassifikation/4159|title=Klimaklassifikation|website=www.spektrum.de|language=de|access-date=2019-07-01|archive-date=1 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701173007/https://www.spektrum.de/lexikon/geographie/klimaklassifikation/4159|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.klett.de/sixcms/media.php/klett72.a.427.de/upload/klimazonen_neef.jpg|title=Klimazonen nach E. Neef (1989)|publisher=Klett-Perthes|access-date=1 July 2019|archive-date=1 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701173006/https://www.klett.de/sixcms/media.php/klett72.a.427.de/upload/klimazonen_neef.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref>
| initial_n ={{n/a}} 
| description_n =West side/maritime climate
}}

==Climate data tables==
===London Weather Centre ===
{{Weather box
|location = London Weather Centre, 2001-2009 seminormals
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan high C =  8.5
|Feb high C =  8.9
|Mar high C = 11.7
|Apr high C = 15.7
|May high C = 18.5
|Jun high C = 22.4
|Jul high C = 23.6
|Aug high C = 23.2
|Sep high C = 20.8
|Oct high C = 16.1
|Nov high C = 11.9
|Dec high C = 8.6
|Jan low C =  5.0
|Feb low C =  4.7
|Mar low C =  5.8
|Apr low C =  8.2
|May low C = 10.9
|Jun low C = 14.1
|Jul low C = 15.5
|Aug low C = 15.5
|Sep low C = 13.7
|Oct low C = 10.9
|Nov low C =  8.0
|Dec low C =  5.4
|source 1= Weather Online<ref name="London Weather Centre climate data" >{{cite web |url=http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/weather/maps/city?LANG=en&PLZ=_____&PLZN=_____&WMO=03779&CONT=ukuk&R=0&LEVEL=162&REGION=0003&LAND=UK&MOD=tab&ART=TMX&NOREGION=1&FMM=1&FYY=2001&LMM=12&LYY=2014 |title=London Weather Centre analysis |publisher=Weather Online |access-date=14 February 2019 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129023225/http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/weather/maps/city?LANG=en&PLZ=_____&PLZN=_____&WMO=03779&CONT=ukuk&R=0&LEVEL=162&REGION=0003&LAND=UK&MOD=tab&ART=TMX&NOREGION=1&FMM=1&FYY=2001&LMM=12&LYY=2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|source 2= Tutiempo<ref name="Climate London Weather Centre" >{{cite web |url=http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/London_Weather_Centre/37790.htm |title=climate: Climate London Weather Centre |publisher=Tutiempo |access-date=17 November 2014 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129042433/http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/London_Weather_Centre/37790.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

===St James's Park - Weather Station near the centre of London===
{{Weather box|location = [[St James's Park]]<br>[[Location identifier#WMO station identifiers|WMO ID]]: 03770; coordinates {{coord|51.50489|N|0.13099|W|type:landmark_region:GB|name=Met St James's Park|format=dms}}; elevation: {{convert|5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}; extremes 1912–present
| collapsed    = y
| metric first = y
| single line  = y
|Jan record high C = 16.3
|Feb record high C = 19.7
|Mar record high C = 24.3
|Apr record high C = 29.1
|May record high C = 31.7
|Jun record high C = 34.6
|Jul record high C = 40.2
|Aug record high C = 36.1
|Sep record high C = 32.5
|Oct record high C = 29.1
|Nov record high C = 20.6
|Dec record high C = 16.9
|Jan record low C = -9.4
|Feb record low C = -10.0
|Mar record low C = -5.6
|Apr record low C = -3.3
|May record low C = -0.6
|Jun record low C = 3.3
|Jul record low C = 7.2
|Aug record low C = 4.4
|Sep record low C = 1.1
|Oct record low C = -3.3
|Nov record low C = -3.9
|Dec record low C = -7.0
|source 1 = Starlings Roost Weather<ref>{{cite web|url=http://starlingsroost.ddns.net/weather/ukobs/temp_month_record_tmax_map.php|title=Monthly Extreme Maximum Temperature|access-date=9 March 2023|publisher=Starlings Roost Weather|archive-date=1 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201173843/http://starlingsroost.ddns.net/weather/ukobs/temp_month_record_tmax_map.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://starlingsroost.ddns.net/weather/ukobs/temp_month_record_tmin_map.php|title=Monthly Extreme Minimum Temperature |access-date=9 March 2023|publisher=Starlings Roost Weather|archive-date=1 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201173844/http://starlingsroost.ddns.net/weather/ukobs/temp_month_record_tmin_map.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
|date=March 2023}}

===Heathrow - Airport Weather Station in the suburbs of West London===


=== Kew Gardens - Weather Station in South West London on the banks of the River Thames ===
{{Kew Gardens weatherbox}}

===Hampstead - Weather Station in North London===
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.
{{Hampstead weatherbox}}

===Northolt - Airfield Weather Station in the North West of London===
Temperature extremes range from {{convert|37.7|C|F}} in August 2003, down to {{convert|-16.1|C|F}} in January 1962.
{{Northolt weatherbox}}

===Greenwich - Weather Station in South East London near the river Thames===
{{Greenwich weatherbox}}

===Average UV index===
{|class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;"
|+[[Ultraviolet index]]<ref>[https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/united-kingdom/london-climate#uv_index Average UV index London, United Kingdom] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030061037/https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/united-kingdom/london-climate#uv_index |date=30 October 2020 }} – weather-atlas.com</ref>
|-
!Jan
!Feb
!Mar
!Apr
!May
!Jun
!Jul
!Aug
!Sep
!Oct
!Nov
!Dec
!Year
|-
|style="background:#289500;color:#000000;"|1
|style="background:#289500;color:#000000;"|1
|style="background:#289500;color:#000000;"|2
|style="background:#f7e400;color:#000000;"|4
|style="background:#f7e400;color:#000000;"|5
|style="background:#f85900;color:#000000;"|6
|style="background:#f85900;color:#000000;"|6
|style="background:#f7e400;color:#000000;"|5
|style="background:#f7e400;color:#000000;"|4
|style="background:#289500;color:#000000;"|2
|style="background:#289500;color:#000000;"|1
|style="background:#289500;color:#000000;"|0
|style="background:#f85900;color:#000000;border-left-width:medium"|3.4
|}

==See also==
*[[River Thames frost fairs]]
*[[Climate of the United Kingdom]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.bbc.com/weather/2643743 BBC Weather - Forecast for London]
*[http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcpvj0v07 Met Office - Forecast for London]
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:London}}
[[Category:Geography of London|Climate]]
[[Category:Climate of England]]
[[Category:Climate by city]]
Note: The Great Sink of 1858 Registered Temperatures up to 48 Centigrade and for Weeks averaged 34 - 36 in the Shade