The best times to visit the United Kingdom for ideal weather are
May 14th to September 30th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
the United Kingdom Travel Guide
Other the United Kingdom Travel Info
Weather in the United Kingdom
Temperature
Average temperatures in the United Kingdom vary somewhat. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a low chance of precipitation most of the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 35th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit the United Kingdom, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally late July where highs are regularly around 66.2°F (19°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 53.7°F (12.1°C) at night.
the United Kingdom Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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the United Kingdom Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
the United Kingdom Perceived Temperature (F)
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the United Kingdom Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average the United Kingdom Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44.9 | 41.3 | 36.8 |
| Feb | 45.4 | 41.2 | 36.6 |
| Mar | 48.7 | 43.4 | 37.8 |
| Apr | 53.6 | 47.4 | 41 |
| May | 57.1 | 51.3 | 45 |
| Jun | 61.7 | 55.9 | 49.6 |
| Jul | 65 | 59.1 | 53 |
| Aug | 64.4 | 58.8 | 52.9 |
| Sep | 61.3 | 55.8 | 49.8 |
| Oct | 56.3 | 51.5 | 45.9 |
| Nov | 50.2 | 46.3 | 41.5 |
| Dec | 45.6 | 41.8 | 37.1 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.2 | 5.2 | 2.7 |
| Feb | 7.4 | 5.1 | 2.6 |
| Mar | 9.3 | 6.3 | 3.2 |
| Apr | 12 | 8.6 | 5 |
| May | 13.9 | 10.7 | 7.2 |
| Jun | 16.5 | 13.3 | 9.8 |
| Jul | 18.3 | 15.1 | 11.7 |
| Aug | 18 | 14.9 | 11.6 |
| Sep | 16.3 | 13.2 | 9.9 |
| Oct | 13.5 | 10.8 | 7.7 |
| Nov | 10.1 | 7.9 | 5.3 |
| Dec | 7.6 | 5.4 | 2.8 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in the United Kingdom are April, September, and then March. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around mid April. For example, on the week of April 16th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in early December with an average of 1 days of significant precipitation the week of December 3rd.
When can you find snow in the United Kingdom? Weather stations report very large amounts of snow likely to be deepest around October, especially close to mid May. The best time to ski (if at all) in the United Kingdom is often around around September 24th when fresh powder is deepest. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in the United Kingdom.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in the United Kingdom (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18% | 3.1 | 2 |
| Feb | 14% | 3 | 1.3 |
| Mar | 11% | 4.9 | 1.1 |
| Apr | 9% | 7.9 | 0.9 |
| May | 12% | 9.5 | 1.3 |
| Jun | 11% | 3 | 1.3 |
| Jul | 14% | 2.9 | 1.6 |
| Aug | 14% | 2.4 | 1.8 |
| Sep | 11% | 0.4 | 1.2 |
| Oct | 15% | 11.1 | 1.9 |
| Nov | 18% | 7.2 | 2 |
| Dec | 18% | 3.4 | 2.1 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18 | 7.9 | 5.1 |
| Feb | 14 | 7.6 | 3.3 |
| Mar | 11 | 12.4 | 2.8 |
| Apr | 9 | 20.1 | 2.3 |
| May | 12 | 24.1 | 3.3 |
| Jun | 11 | 7.6 | 3.3 |
| Jul | 14 | 7.4 | 4.1 |
| Aug | 14 | 6.1 | 4.6 |
| Sep | 11 | 1 | 3 |
| Oct | 15 | 28.2 | 4.8 |
| Nov | 18 | 18.3 | 5.1 |
| Dec | 18 | 8.6 | 5.3 |
Humidity and Wind
the United Kingdom has some very humid months, and high humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is May (71% relative humidity), and the most humid month is November (79.9%).
Wind in the United Kingdom is usually stronger than many places. The windiest month is January, followed by December and February. January’s average wind speed of around 13.3 knots (15.3 MPH or 24.7 KPH) is considered “a moderate breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early December where average top sustained speeds reach 21.3 knots, which is considered a fresh breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in the United Kingdom.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 13.3 | Significant breeze | 20.5 | Strong breeze |
| Feb | 12.1 | Significant breeze | 18.7 | Strong breeze |
| Mar | 11.8 | Significant breeze | 18.4 | Strong breeze |
| Apr | 10.3 | Gentle breeze | 16.3 | Significant breeze |
| May | 10.5 | Gentle breeze | 16.4 | Strong breeze |
| Jun | 9.3 | Gentle breeze | 14.7 | Significant breeze |
| Jul | 9.5 | Gentle breeze | 15 | Strong breeze |
| Aug | 9.7 | Gentle breeze | 15.5 | Significant breeze |
| Sep | 10.2 | Gentle breeze | 15.9 | Strong breeze |
| Oct | 11.2 | Significant breeze | 17.3 | Strong breeze |
| Nov | 12.1 | Significant breeze | 18.8 | Strong breeze |
| Dec | 12.9 | Significant breeze | 20.1 | Strong breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 79% |
| Feb | 77.9% |
| Mar | 73.1% |
| Apr | 71% |
| May | 71% |
| Jun | 73.2% |
| Jul | 74.7% |
| Aug | 75.6% |
| Sep | 76.2% |
| Oct | 78.3% |
| Nov | 79.9% |
| Dec | 79.1% |
Is it Safe to Travel to the United Kingdom?
Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings for the United Kingdom; exercise a high degree of caution. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Nov 27, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in the United Kingdom is August, followed by July and September. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit the United Kingdom in December. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall the United Kingdom Travel Experience by Season
Fall (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderately cold. Highs range from 59.8°F (15.4°C) and 47.2°F (8.4°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with 3 to 4 days of significant precipitation per month. Fall is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Winter (June through August)
The middle-year months have comfortably cool weather with high temperatures that are brisk. These months see moderate precipitation with 3 to 4 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in the United Kingdom, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Spring (September through November)
Spring daily highs range from 62.9°F (17.2°C) and 46.5°F (8.1°C), which will feel chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 3 to 5 days per month. Tourism is fairly slow during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be lower priced.
Summer (December through February)
Weather is too cold this time of year in the United Kingdom to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 47.2°F (8.4°C) and 43.7°F (6.5°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 4 to 6 times per month. These times of year are the slowest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel › the United Kingdom