United Kingdom London Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in London is Quiet
January is Quiet for London.
January is London's quietest month with lowest hotel prices of the year — 4-star centrally for $130-180 / £100-135 vs $280+ in summer. Tradeoff: 8-hour daylight (sunset 4pm), frequent overcast, wet pavements. Major museums (British Museum, Tate Modern, V&A) are walk-in capable; West End matinee tickets at 50% via TKTS booth. Free national museums (always free) shine in January when outdoor sightseeing is uncomfortable.
Travel score
Winter + year's darkest + Sales season
January Weather at a Glance
January in London averages 46°F / 8°C highs and 37°F / 3°C lows — year's coldest. 11 rainy days, 55mm. Humidity 85%. 2 hours of sunshine (year's darkest). Sunrise 8:00 AM, sunset 4:15 PM. Snow 4 days/year, occasional.
January Travel Advice
Heavy coat + scarf + gloves + umbrella. 'January Sales' (Jan 1 - end of February, 40-70% off) season — Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty, Oxford Street shopping rush. January 1 New Year's Day (public holiday).
Flying In from Overseas
Asia winter escape + Sales — Direct flights from Seoul 11h ($840-1,400 round-trip). 9-hour time difference from Seoul (8 during summer time). Visa-free 6 months.
January Pricing Trends
Off-season + sale — Covent Garden 3-star $140-245/night. Mayfair 5-star $350-700.
London January Weather Stats
Avg High
8°C
Avg Low
2°C
Rainy Days
11
55mm total
Sunshine
1.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
80%
Damp
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
18 km/h
Gusts 35
Sea Temp
8°C
Avg water temp
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
18 μg/m³
PM10
28 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
5°C
Nighttime
-2°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
18 km/h
Max gust 35 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lowest yearly hotel/flight prices
- Zero queues at major museums
- Cheap West End theater via TKTS
Cons
- Short daylight (sunset 4pm)
- Cold drizzle frequent
- Slippery wet pavements
January Events & Festivals
- New Year's Day Parade (Jan 1)
- London International Mime Festival (mid-month)
- Boxing Day sales tail-end at Oxford Street
London in January — Full Picture
January is London's quietest month with lowest hotel prices of the year — 4-star centrally for $130-180 / £100-135 vs $280+ in summer. Tradeoff: 8-hour daylight (sunset 4pm), frequent overcast, wet pavements. Major museums (British Museum, Tate Modern, V&A) are walk-in capable; West End matinee tickets at 50% via TKTS booth. Free national museums (always free) shine in January when outdoor sightseeing is uncomfortable.
What to Wear & What to Pack
London's coldest month — gray, often drizzly, sun by 4pm. Heavy wool coat, scarf, gloves, waterproof boots. Indoor heating runs full blast — layer so you can shed. A thermal base for cold-sensitive travelers.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
14°C
6.3°C
8.7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
21.7°C
13.3°C
6.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
15°C
8°C
9.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current8.3°C
2.3°C
10.3/mo
London Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8° | 2° | 11d·55mm | 1.5h | 80% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 9° | 2° | 9d·40mm | 2h | 78% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 11° | 4° | 9d·40mm | 3.5h | 73% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 14° | 6° | 9d·45mm | 5h | 70% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 17° | 9° | 8d·45mm | 6.5h | 68% | 5 | Busy | Peak | |
| June (Best) | 20° | 12° | 7d·45mm | 7h | 65% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 23° | 14° | 6d·45mm | 7h | 65% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| 22° | 14° | 7d·50mm | 6.5h | 66% | 5 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 19° | 11° | 8d·50mm | 5h | 70% | 4 | Busy | Peak | |
| 15° | 8° | 10d·70mm | 3.5h | 76% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 11° | 5° | 10d·65mm | 2h | 79% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 8° | 3° | 11d·55mm | 1.5h | 81% | 1 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
London January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit London?
London in January is Quiet. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in London in January?
London January averages a high of 8°C and a low of 2°C.
Does it rain much in London in January?
London January averages 55mm of rainfall over about 11 rainy days.
What should I wear in London in January?
London's coldest month — gray, often drizzly, sun by 4pm. Heavy wool coat, scarf, gloves, waterproof boots. Indoor heating runs full blast — layer so you can shed. A thermal base for cold-sensitive travelers.
What time are sunrise and sunset in London in January?
London January sunrise is 08:05 and sunset is 16:10, with 8h 05m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in London in January?
London January air quality (AQI) averages 42, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 18μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in London in January?
In January, London is great for British Museum (no queue), Tate Modern (free), West End matinee.
Is January peak season in London?
London January crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit London
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.