01Weather
London weather in January
Afternoons in January average 6.7 °C (44 °F) and nights cool to 2.0 °C (36 °F). The month brings about 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain spread over roughly 11 days. Compared with December it is 1.5 °C cooler; February is 2.4 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 11 °C / 53 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 2 °C / 36 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -2 °C / 28 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 8.5 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 36 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 13.1 °C / -5.9 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 08:06 | 16:02 | 7.9 h |
| 15 January | 07:59 | 16:20 | 8.4 h |
| 31 January | 07:40 | 16:47 | 9.1 h |
Daylight grows by about 72 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/London).
03Crowds
How busy London is in January
quiet The main sights are quiet in January. What drives it:
- post-Christmas lull
- January sales
- short, dark days
04Public holidays
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in London in January
Every year in January
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day Parade | 1 January, Piccadilly to Parliament Square | parade |
07Packing
What to pack for London in January
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
- gloves: frost on about 8 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January is the quietest month at the big attractions and the cheapest for hotels once New Year's week is over. The January sales run all month, theatres sell discounted tickets through the official Get Into London Theatre promotion, and the free museums are nearly empty on weekdays. New Year's Day itself opens with the parade from Piccadilly to Parliament Square.
Expect grey, damp weather and darkness by half past four in the first week, closer to five by the end of the month; snow that settles is unusual in central London. Royal parks and the Thames path are at their emptiest, and the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland closes in the first days of the month. Pack for damp cold rather than deep frost. The Tube runs normally after the 1 January bank holiday.
09Compare
London month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 °C | 2 °C | 11 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 9 °C | 4 °C | 11 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| March | 11 °C | 4 °C | 9 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 14 °C | 5 °C | 7 | – | busy | Good |
| May | 17 °C | 8 °C | 9 | – | busy | Good |
| June | 21 °C | 12 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| July | 22 °C | 14 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 22 °C | 14 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 19 °C | 12 °C | 7 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 15 °C | 9 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 10 °C | 6 °C | 12 | – | moderate | Good |
| December | 8 °C | 4 °C | 11 | – | busy | Mixed |
Not sure about January? See the best time to visit London.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Paris in January | 7 °C | 13 |
| Amsterdam in January | 7 °C | 12 |
| Dublin in January | 8 °C | 12 |
| Copenhagen in January | 4 °C | – |
| Prague in January | 4 °C | 10 |
| Venice in January | 8 °C | 5 |
11FAQ
London in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit London?
January is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit London. Daytime highs average 7 °C (44 °F), rain falls on about 11 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are quiet.
What is the weather like in London in January?
Expect cold days around 7 °C (44 °F) and nights near 2 °C (36 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 11 °C, and one in ten stays below 2 °C.
Does it rain a lot in London in January?
January brings about 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain over roughly 11 days, which is showery by London standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 36 percent.
What should I wear in London in January?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is London crowded in January?
The main sights are quiet in January. Main drivers: post-Christmas lull; January sales; short, dark days.
What time does it get dark in London in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 16:20 and rises at 07:59, giving 8.4 hours of daylight.