Living in London is probably every Millenial’s dream. Walking amidst the skyscrapers and river is what we imagine when thinking about modern life. However, not everything that shines is gold. It would help if you considered a wide range of factors when moving to London. One of them is the weather and climate in London. Generally, the summers are short and comfortable in London. Meanwhile, the winters tend to be cold, windy, and mostly cloudy.
This fluctuation of climate may be a challenge for the migrants. People who plan on moving to London should consider the potential climate changes impact and how it will affect their adaptability.
When you enter the land with a good arsenal, you can deal with the climatic changes and establish yourself.
Exhaustive research shows how the future London climate will be different from today. The UK Climate Impacts Program recently published some scenarios of possible future climatic changes in the 2020s, 2050s, and 2080s.
If you plan to relocate to London, this guide will help you adjust and prepare the better way. Let’s examine all that you need to know in this regard.
General Climate of London
Thousands of people worldwide decide to make London their home each year. It is a bustling metropolis boasting a history of rich art and character. Its vibrant social scene and career orientation compel people to shift here and try their luck.
As reported by the Trust for London,
“London has a far higher proportion of residents aged between 25-34 than in any other city in England, especially in Inner London where they make up 24% of the population.”
This fact reveals that the younger lot loves to reside in London. Regardless of age, one should know about the weather in London to pursue their residential plans in the city.
Modern London has the equitable climate of South East England. The winters are mild, and summers are temperate.
Typically, the warm season in London lasts for 2.8 months. It starts on June 15 and ends around September 7. The average daily temperature is more than 59°F. And the hottest month of the year is July when the highest temperature is 73°F, and the lowest is 59°F. Keep these figures in mind when you are packing for London in May or June.
The cool season here lasts for four months. It begins on November 16 and ends on March 18. The average daily high temperature stays below 53°F. In these months, the coldest is February, where the average lowest temperature is 39°F, and the highest is 48°F.
Given Londons weather and temperature conditions, one should know that Londoners stop wearing their winter overcoats in April or May. Then, they start to dress warmly in late October.
The wind prevailing is west-southwest wind. The sheltering impact of Chiltern Hills and North Downs brings slightly less rainfall in the city than Home Counties.
In one year, you can expect 200 dry days from 365. The precipitation level is 235 inches that are evenly spread across 12 months.
The occurrence of sleet and snow is less predictable in London. It may vary from one year to another, with a long-run statistical average of 20 days.
Such climatic variations in the metropolis vividly explain that it is a heated island featured by internal combustion engines, the concentration of buildings, and heating or air-conditioning plants. Temperature increases towards the city’s center, and the air stays dry.
The city’s thermal, mechanical, and chemical impacts can also affect wind speed and precipitation. Rainfalls are anticipated to be more intense in London because the pollution particles work as condensation nuclei for water vapor.
How to prepare for climate change when relocating?
There is no denying that London is a highly demanding place to live to find excellent opportunities. Nonetheless, it would be best if you acknowledged the weather in the UK before you pick any place to migrate.
Thankfully, London weather is not extreme, so you don’t have to pack like traveling to the poles. You don’t have to pack heavy-duty clothes for summer or winter. Instead, evaluate the temperature in the city and pack wisely.
Your accommodation will likely have a central heating or cooling system.
How to prepare for London winters?
Winters in the UK are cold but not frigid like some other neighboring cities. As the climate changes continue, the city has faced a mild winter which has grown milder with usual spells of bizarre weather, like snow or rainfalls.
Rainfalls are at their peak during winter. Although it occurs in a shower or drizzle, you have to wet most winter. Besides this, London is darker in the winter, making the season dull and gloomy.
Make sure you invest in thermal layers to wear under ordinary clothes for the cold season. A good winter coat, hat, gloves, earmuffs, and scarves will keep you warm and comfortable as you roam around the city.
It is not true that people fall sick in the London winters. Most people tend to fall ill because they are underprepared. Remember to wear as many layers of clothes as you need to stay warm.
How to prepare for London summers?
Some of us may often find ourselves unprepared as we are stuck in the rain, feel overheated in the tube, or lack the accessories needed to survive the fluctuation of the London season.
Here is a list of essentials needed to face the London summers:
Summer scarf: Summer scarves are easy-to-carry, lightweight, and bring a nice splash to an outfit.
Trench coat: A sleek and stylish trench coat is functional and funky. It keeps you warm enough to take the edge off in the summer chill and doesn’t feel too hot when the winds die down.
Apart from the two staple clothing pieces, some other accessories to have on your hand during London summers are umbrella, sunglasses, bag, and flats.
Having the essential items in London to make your stay here comfortable. You may experience a rapid fluctuation of weather in summers. So, make sure that everything you put on is easy to pull off and carry around.
Weatherproof your residence in London
Weather is posing a persistent threat to our homes. Unfortunately, residence in London tethers a house to experience more than its fair share of rainfall.
Regardless of the summer or winter season, rainfall increases dampness upon the homes.
Dampness in any weather can be pretty disastrous. However, there are some ways that you can use to safeguard your place against the UK weather. Following are some ways you can weatherproof your home in London:
- Exterior wall coatings: An exterior wall coating increases your home’s water and weather resistance. The composition of the outer wall coating includes resin and silicon. These make it 20 times thicker than conventional paints, making it more durable.
- Clear coatings: An exterior wall coating covers your home in a fresh coat of paint like conventional paints. It works to fend off the weather and resist the dampness from penetrating the walls.
Another strategy to weatherproof your London home is through insulation.
Solid wall insulation works in two ways:
- Internal insulation: This involves thickening the wall from the inside. The process includes adding insulation in the wall and lathering a plaster over it to achieve an even finish.
- External insulation: This involves thickening the walls from the outside and sealing the system with a range of brick slip finishes. The finished walls may look different than their original appearance, but the render color is textured. You can color walls with the desired shade.
Weatherproof your car in London
The commute is a breeze for those who use public transport in London.
But for those who own their vehicles, it is pretty challenging to deal with the weather fluctuation in London. Here is a list of weather conditions that could damage your car and how to deal with them:
Rain: Rust is inevitable to form when water reaches metal and stays there for long. Ensure that you park the car under a concrete shade or cover the waterproof shield.
Cold: Install anti-freeze wiper fluid and winter-safe tires to have a smooth drive in the cold season. If you don’t plan to use the car this season, you should take the battery out of your car as it may obstruct when restarting it after the season ends.
Heat: Leaving the car exposed to constant rays of sunlight can fade the paint (in some vehicles). Make sure that you keep it covered and out of sunlight. It would be best to keep checking the tire damage and quality to avoid later troubles.
Keep your pets safe
Once you have made arrangements for yourself, you should also pay heed to your fur buddies. It would be safe to take precautionary measures and armor them with all they need to fight upcoming weather conditions.
During the cold season:
- Wrap them up
- Keep them inside
- Provide extra bedding
- Keep them hydrated
- Pop a hot water bottle under their bed if the house is chilly
On the other hand, this is what you should do during the hot weather:
- Don’t leave them in the car
- Use pet-safe lotion on exposed skin when going outdoors
- Provide fresh drinking water and shade when they are on the go
- Restrict outdoor activities
If you don’t have any pets but you love to take care of the animals, you can take these measures for those around you. Arrange a shade and fresh drinking water if the animals want to take a dip.
Conclusion
Whether traveling or staying in London, you should equip yourself with essential clothing and tools to make it pleasant.
Weather in the UK is exposed to rapid temperature changes than any other neighboring land. At the same time, the vibrant land keeps attracting people from around the world.
The key to staying safe, happy, and healthy in this city is to weatherproof your homes, strengthen your layering game, and ensure your pets adapt well to the climate.
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Head over here to begin your journey
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