London in January
In January, London averages 8°C (46°F) during the day and 3°C (37°F) at night, with around 11 days of rain (55 mm total).
ShoulderConditions are cold — pack winter layers. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.
January in London is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).
How January compares to the rest of the year in London
January is one of the coolest months in London (11th of 12) and one of the wettest months (1st of 12). Daytime temperature runs 8°C below the annual average (16°C). January runs roughly the same as December (8°C) and warms a further 1°C into February (9°C).
January sunrise & sunset in London
Times shown for London local time (Europe/London), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in London — January
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in London's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — London in January
Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on January's tier (Shoulder) and London's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — January in London
London is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.
Sun & mosquito risk — January in London
UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.
London in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C / 46°F | 3°C / 37°F | 55 mm | 11 | 2 |
| February | 9°C / 48°F | 3°C / 37°F | 41 mm | 9 | 2 |
| March | 12°C / 54°F | 5°C / 41°F | 42 mm | 9 | 1 |
| April | 15°C / 59°F | 7°C / 45°F | 44 mm | 9 | 0 |
| May | 18°C / 64°F | 10°C / 50°F | 49 mm | 9 | 0 |
| June | 22°C / 72°F | 13°C / 55°F | 45 mm | 8 | 0 |
| July | 24°C / 75°F | 15°C / 59°F | 45 mm | 8 | 0 |
| August | 23°C / 73°F | 15°C / 59°F | 50 mm | 8 | 0 |
| September | 20°C / 68°F | 13°C / 55°F | 49 mm | 8 | 0 |
| October | 16°C / 61°F | 10°C / 50°F | 69 mm | 10 | 0 |
| November | 11°C / 52°F | 6°C / 43°F | 59 mm | 11 | 1 |
| December | 8°C / 46°F | 3°C / 37°F | 55 mm | 11 | 2 |
Other cities with similar January weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for London in January →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is London in January?
In January, London averages a high of 8°C (46°F) and a low of 3°C (37°F) — generally cold.
Does it rain a lot in London in January?
January can be fairly wet in London, with about 11 rainy days on average and roughly 2 snow days.
Is January a good time to visit London?
January is cold. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cold weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for London in January?
Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full January packing list for London for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.