The UK is located right in the middle of the zone of moderate climate and its weather conditions are almost typical. The country is located on islands so unlike continental moderate climate weather in the UK is wet. This feature is apparent in frequent fogs which are integral feature of image of the country.

Gulf Stream is one of key points about the UK climate. It softens winters and summers. So there is neither heat nor frost in the country. Still, some warm things need to be taken with you when visiting the UK. Weather may be mild but it is rather unpredictable.

 

Seasons

 

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in the UK

Spring in the UK is rather dry season however it is still quite cold. Daytime temperature rises by couple of degrees but at night rapidly drops to actual cold. Northwestern regions are coldest among all in the country. Southern portion of Great Britain is the warmest one alone with the capital and Westland.

During whole March sky is covered by heavy clouds. At first days April weather becomes brighter. Despite short rains sun shows itself more often; air becomes warmer and nature starts to blossom. At the middle of spring tourists start to arrive. At May national parks, reserves and other sights are already working to the fullest. Visitors should be prepared to sudden shifts of weather.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Min average t°: +3 °C (38 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 34 mm (1.3")

April Max average t°: +14 °C (57 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (42 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 43 mm (1.7")

May Max average t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Min average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 51 mm (2.0")

(London)

Spring Holidays

Numerous Easter celebrations with variable dates.

March 1 – Saint David’s Day.
March 11 (2018) – Mother’s Day.
March 12 (2018) – Commonwealth Day.

April 1 – April Fool’s Day.
April 22 (2018) – Virgin London Marathon.
April 30 – Walpurgis Night.

May 1 – Beltane.
May 3 (2018) – Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.
May 5 (2018) – Rochester Chimney Festival.
May 28 (2018) - Spring Bank Holiday.

Summer in the UK

June is the best month to visit the country. After all British Monarchs choose it for celebration of their birthdays for a reason. Winds are calmed down, rains don’t bother as much as at late spring and there are more daylight hours. Temperature is bit higher than at May so light clothing is completely suitable.

At July and May weather will provide warm and bright days and spectacular sunsets. Yet showers are still here especially in southeastern regions. But they are fast so won’t bother tourists at all. By the way the warmest month of summer is July not August. At August average temperature decreases by couple of degrees and there are fewer daylight hours. Summer evenings are quite cool so light jacket is necessary.

 

Climate of the Summer Months

 

June Max average t°: +21.5 °C (71 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (53 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 51 mm (2.0")

July Max average t°: +23.5 °C (75 °F) Min average t°: +14 °C (57 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 52 mm (2.1")

August Max average t°: +23 °C (74 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (56 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 62 mm (2.4")

(London)

Summer Holidays

June 9 (2018) – Queen's Official Birthday.
June 24 – Independence Day of Scotland.

July 2 – Day of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
July 2 (2018) – Wimbledon tennis tournament.
July 15 - St. Vitusin's Day.

August 13 – International Day of the Left-Wing.
August 21 (2018) – Peterborough Beer Festival.

Autumn in the UK

At the beginning of autumn weather is still pleasant. Days are shorter and air is colder but falling leafs and colors of autumn create wonderful scape for sightseeing and simple wandering among picturesque streets of British towns.

By the begging of October frequency of rains increases especially in mountains. Mornings bring fogs and through rest of a day sky is covered by heavy clouds. Majesty of medieval castles is stressed under them. However some days are sunny and quiet due to unpredictable nature of British weather. November is not the best time to visit the UK because of the lingering rains.

 

Climate of the Autumn Months

 

September Max average t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 31 mm (1.2")

October Max average t°: +16 °C (60 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 38 mm (1.5")

November Max average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Min average t°: +4.5 °C (40 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 46 mm (1.8")

(London)

Autumn Holidays

October 21 - Trafalgar Day & Apple Day.

November 1 – All Saint’s Day.
November 5 - Guy Fawkes Day & Bonfire Night.
November 11 – Armistice Day.
November 30 – St. Andrew's Day in Scotland.

Winter in the UK

Winter in the UK is wet. Usually at daytime there is positive temperature (above +2 °C, 35 °F) with slight frosts at night. Northern regions are snowy while coasts are under torrential rains and squally winds. Typically umbrellas can’t stand such weather so it would be better to have dense raincoat.

January is the coldest month of a year with precipitation in form of wet snow with rain. And towns are covered in fogs for their peak is at the middle of winter. As a result airports may freeze for couple of days and cancel all races. Winter in the United Kingdom is a time to shelter under a warm blanket with a cup of fragrant English tea, and not for sightseeing or other activities.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Min average t°: +3 °C (37 °F) Sundial in the day: 3.5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 55 mm (2.2")

January Max average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Min average t°: +2 °C (35 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 32 mm (1.3")

February Max average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Min average t°: +2 °C (35 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 36 mm (1.4")

(London)

Winter Holidays

December 25 – Christmas.
December 26 – St. Stephen's Day.
December 31 – Hogmanay.

January 1 – New Year.
January 25 – Birthday of Robert Burns.
January 27 – Memorial Day of Victims of Genocide in World War II.
January 30 – Up-Helly-Аa.

February 14 – St. Valentine’s Day.