v256.0 · climate · GB · verified 2026-04
United Kingdom climate profile
Climate profile for United Kingdom — Köppen climate zones, seasonal temperature + rainfall, humidity, extreme weather, climate-change trajectory, air quality, best months for visiting + relocation, water security, and recent climate-policy changes.
Climate classification (Köppen)
Oceanic (Cfb) — mild wet year-round, gulf-stream-moderated, no extreme seasons
Temperature + rainfall by season
| Winter temperatures | London: 5°C avg (2-8°C) · Edinburgh: 3°C (0-7°C) · Manchester: 4°C (1-7°C) · Cardiff: 5°C (2-8°C) · Belfast: 4°C (2-7°C) |
| Summer temperatures | London: 18°C avg (13-23°C, heatwaves 30°C+, 40°C+ July 2022 record) · Edinburgh: 15°C (10-19°C) · Manchester: 16°C (12-20°C) · Cardiff: 16°C (12-20°C) |
| Annual rainfall | London: 620 mm · Edinburgh: 700 mm · Manchester: 870 mm · Cardiff: 1,150 mm · Lake District/Scotland Highlands: 2,000-4,000 mm · Year-round |
| Humidity | 70-85% year-round · Among Europe's most humid · Drizzle + light rain frequent |
Climate zones within the country
Southern England — milder, drier · Wales + western England — wetter · Scotland Highlands — cool, very wet · Northern Ireland — mild, wet
Extreme weather + risks
| Extreme weather events | 40.3°C London Heathrow July 2022 (record) · Storm Babet Oct 2023 + Storm Henk Jan 2024 flooding · Storm Storm Isha + Jocelyn Jan 2024 · No earthquakes (very minor) · Tornadoes rare but occur (Birmingham 2005) |
| Air quality | Generally good · London PM2.5 ~12 µg/m³ (above WHO target 5) · ULEZ since 2019 + expansion improving · Wood-stove particulates winter · Rural areas excellent |
| Water security | Generally good · Southeast England (London region) stressed (1 billion liters/day shortfall projected by 2050) · Increasing drought + flooding extremes |
Climate change trajectory
Annual mean +1.1°C since 1884 · Projected +1.5-4°C by 2100 · Wetter winters + drier summers · Storm intensity increasing · Sea-level rise threatening coastal
Best months for visiting + relocation
| Best for visiting | May-Sep — long daylight (16-18 hours summer), warm, sunny · Apr + Oct shoulder · Winter dark (8 hours daylight Dec) but cozy |
| Best for relocation | Apr-Sep arrival ideal; winter (Nov-Feb) difficult adjustment for southerners (gray, dark, damp) |
Recent changes (2023-2026)
2024-25: Storm Henk + Isha + Jocelyn Jan 2024 flooding · Storm Bert + Conall Nov-Dec 2024 · 40°C July 2022 record continues to break records · Net-Zero 2050 legal commitment · ULEZ expansion 2023 · IHS £1,035/year for visa holders since Oct 2023
Source: official United Kingdom meteorological agency · Last verified 2026-04
See also: United Kingdom country profile · climate atlas