Although the UK is roughly the same size as Michigan, it is an island caught between the warmer current of the Atlantic Gulf and the icy North Sea. That creates a greater variety of changing weather than you might expect. It may be roughly the same latitude as Canada’s Hudson Bay, but the temperature climate means palm trees will grow outdoors during winter, even in parts of Scotland.
Temperatures throughout England are mild: severe frosts and very hot weather are rare. In fact, it is not unusual for some tropical plants to thrive outdoors during winter. Temperatures across the UK vary only a few degrees from place to place. But those few degrees can make a world of difference. Some smaller palm trees grow along the Cornish coastline and in sheltered garden microclimates.
Visitors are sometimes surprised that temperatures in England between mid-March and mid-October do not vary much. It is possible to experience days in spring and early fall that are as warm as any that you can experience in the summer. And it’s not unheard of for a holiday weekend in August to be quick.
However, don’t let all this variability lure you into packing for the tropics! Wind and high humidity make even relatively high temperatures feel much colder. And keep in mind also that the days are much shorter in England during winter than in North America or further south in Europe. Temperatures drop at night and the lack of sunlight can leave you feeling chilled to the bone. The weather in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest is similar to that of England, although contrary to myths about the UK, it rains more in Seattle.
Plan to pack the types of clothing that you can layer or take off depending on how you feel. Layers are also useful if you are staying in or visiting a historic building; You may need to stack the extra shirts to stay comfortable inside.
Read on for more information on UK weather, season by season, as well as tips on what to pack.
Fast weather data
Hottest Month: July (66 F / 19 C)
Coldest Month: January (41 F / 5 C)
Wettest Month: October (2.7 inches)
Spring in the UK
By March, temperatures in the UK start to warm up and frost is less common. Temperatures typically range between 48 and 60 degrees, but the weather is usually humid and windy. Daylight begins to increase, from 11 to 15 hours, depending on the month.
What to pack : Don’t forget your wellies! Regardless of when you visit the UK, you should expect rain and wet weather, but especially in the spring. Be sure to pack waterproof shoes, an umbrella, and a raincoat.
Average temperatures per month
March: 45 F / 7 C
Abril: 48 F / 9 C
Mayo: 54 F / 12 C
Summer in the uk
While summer in most of the world means hot and dry, the UK experiences a fairly mild season with temperatures rarely exceeding 80 degrees F. Rain is still a possibility, however, so you’ll want to be prepared. . In the height of summer, London experiences almost 17 hours of natural light.
What to pack : Bring your umbrella, but in the summer months, you may also want to pack a bathing suit and other summer-appropriate clothing. When the weather warms up, people flock to Britain’s beaches – and you should do the same!
Average temperatures per month
Junio: 59 F / 15 C
Julio: 63 F / 17 C
August: 61 F / 16 C
Fall in the uk
Fall or fall tend to have the greatest climatic variability of all seasons. September and October can still be quite warm, but November is typically quite cold and is among the wettest months of the year. Generally, there are between 10 and 14 hours of natural light.
What to pack: Pack some wool tops and sweaters, which are ideal for their light weight and breathability. Pair it with a waterproof (or ideally waterproof) jacket for periodic rain showers, as well as waterproof shoes. As always, an umbrella is a must!
Average temperatures per month
September: 57 F / 14 C
October: 52 F / 11 C
November: 46 F / 8 C
Winter in the UK
Winter is the coldest season in the UK, with temperatures often dropping to freezing. Fortunately, they rarely dip below that. Frosts are common and occasionally snowy, but the season is mostly wet and windy. Also, in addition to the gloomy weather, there is minimal daylight throughout the winter, and London receives just eight hours at the peak of the season.
What to pack: Bring a raincoat, a thick wool sweater, and a good pair of waterproof walking shoes. While UK winter weather is still relatively mild, getting wet can make you feel colder than the temperature would suggest.
Average temperatures per month
December: 41 F / 5 C
Enero: 37 F / 3 C
February: 39 F / 4 C
