So called possession on the weather in England has given the birth to numerous amount of proverbs. The importance to be well-informed about the meteorological future is indisputable, especially when it is absolutely difficult to predict.

Thanks to the fact that the country is surrounded with the sea waters and the ocean, the climate is characterised as high humid. So, the unpredictable freaks of nature are stable only in the frequency of rains in spring and autumn. 

The oceanic character of the climate (it is nominated as a maritime climate too) is dictated by the warm influence of Gulf Stream. The variety of it is possible to feel comparing the coldest Northern-Eastern parts and completely different weather conditions in South-East and certainly, in the capital of England.

The other internal emblem is the mists and heavy fogs which are given the epithet to the island as Misty Albion by the ancient tribes.

 

Seasons

 

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in England

People said that the English spring is the mostly beautiful season in the year. The blossoming renaissance of the nature is proceeding from February till June. Exactly these months are famous with luxuriant flowering due to more than sufficient amount of sun energy. The country is literally is sinking in flowers. The heaths in Yorkshire, rhododendrons in London, narcissus and tulips in Leeds and the Northern primrose are the marks of this season as much as the famous spring fragrance. The world reflected in the little drop of the dew, early morning mist, ravishing flavour are the symbol of spring and the life itself.

Probably, this is the reason why English people often make up holidays exactly during this season. The first Monday of May and Easter are holidays. To celebrate the occasion of the other religion feasts are common in England too.

The Mother’s day is celebrated on the 26^th of March in England. The picturesque feast of St. George Day, who is the patron of the country, is on 23 April.  Red rouses as a gift, traditional dishes such as roast beef and pudding always support the celebration.

The custom of April Fool's Day which is earlier in April is also well known and very popular with English people.

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

So, the list of feast for this season looks like:

Mother’s day (the 26th of March)
St. George Day (the 23rd of April)

Pancake Day (movable feast)
Easter (movable feast)
May Day (the 1st of May)

Summer in England

The reference to the sonnet of the Bard of Avon is not random. There is a noticeable difference with the continental summer. In England is colder; the numerous monsoons and heavy rains happen in general during the second part of the season. Nevertheless, the hottest month is July when the temperature reaches 28 degree centigrade. The weather in summer is more stable.

Exactly this season attracts millions of tourists that are crowding cities and costs of the country. If you are one of them do not miss the Queen’s Birthday Parade which is more than impressive event. Henley Royal Regatta or Swan Upping on the river Themes could fascinate the whole family too. If you are fond of tennis to visit Wimbledon Tennis Championships is the splendid opportunity.

Generally, English people prefer to abandon urban life style and tend to go to the coast too, where it is so delightful to enjoy the marine leisure time. They know well too how to predict the weather for vacation: St Swithin's Day (the 15^th of July) indicates how will be the meteorological conditions for the next 40 days. Father's Day is celebrated in this month too..

 

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

It is possible to specify the remarkable dates again:

The Queen’s Birthday Parade (complex celebration)
Father's Day (3rd Sunday of June)
Henley Royal Regatta (the date is variable)

Swan Upping (the date is variable)
Wimbledon Tennis Championships (the date is variable)
St Swithin's Day (the 15th of July)

Autumn in England

There is the other example of poetic seasonal muse that inspired John Keats even despite the fact that, probably, English autumn is less bright and colourful than in the other countries.

The sun does not heat so strong from September, the temperature is getting low, and it is warm and dry till rainy October. Before November Atlantic monsoon brings thunder clouds when whole England wraps up in grey shawl of mists and the dankest weather is coming. It looks like the most viscid and stifling clouds descend till the ground, concealing the world and preventing the sun rays struggle through the dense fog veil. This kind of weather prolong till the beginning of December.

The atmosphere itself asks for the holiday. Autumn begins with the Harvest Festival which is unlike the other countries is not a public holiday.

The next month is renowned with one of the mostly beloved and world-famous celebration of Halloween but nor less amusing is Potato Day which symbolized the day of it harvest in the past. Nowadays it is simply October Holidays.

November is the month of the vividly sparkling feast – the Guy Fawkes Night when the country is saluting and lighting up with fireworks. Remembrance Day precedes it and dedicated to the memory of fallen for their country.

 

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

Summarizing the famous feasts, let’s mention:

Harvest Festival (about the 23rd of September)
Halloween (the 31st of October)

Guy Fawkes Night (the 5th of November)
Remembrance Day (the 11th of November)

Winter in England

English winter is far from the classic Russian one; it is rather European autumn. The temperature is rare under zero and when the thermometer falling eight degrees frost is the apocalyptic disaster of English people.

The rivers are virtually doing not freeze, so the inhabitants of England are deprived to skate on it. In London you hardly would find the snow. The time when England could be covered with it is a question of a few days, averagely more close to Christmas time. During the other months English winter is not so attractive; there are misty, dank damp weather, rains and strong winds.

Certainly, Christmas, New Year and the St. Valentine Day in February also are the most beloved celebration in England.  The other feasts like Boxing Day (on the following day after Xmas) and Bank Holiday are popular too. During the last one it would be pure waste of time to find even one open bank.

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

Drawing conclusions, the main winter feasts are:

Christmas (the 25th of December)
Boxing Day (the 26th of December)

New Year (the 1st of January)
Bank Holiday (the date is variable)
St. Valentine Day (the 14th of February)