Snowfall in December Days with at least 1 mm (. 04 inches) or more of precipitation average about 9-10. Some snow falls in December, but only on about 2 days with about 1-day recording snow accumulation. Be sure to check out our full London December weather post.
We can accurately forecast if snow is likely on any given Christmas Day up to five days beforehand. Since 1960, around half of the years have seen at least 5% of the network record snow falling on Christmas Day. This means we can probably expect more than half of all Christmas Days to be a 'white Christmas'.
December is one of the finest months to visit London because it is less crowded. The weather begins to change into winter, and the fall colors fade away completely. If you're planning a trip to London in December, keep reading to learn everything you need to know to make your trip a success.
Snowfall is an infrequent occurrence in winter, falling on an average of 16 days per year, though infrequently heavy.
February is the snowiest month of the year with 4 days, on average, reporting some snow and 1-2 days with accumulating snow. Be sure to check out our full London February weather post.
The coldest month is usually January when temperatures can sink to around 33 F (1 C). Snow is pretty rare in London but if it does fall it's typically in January or February.
Winter (December to February) can also be an enjoyable time to visit. Although some attractions close in mountainous areas and in the north (and most of Scotland), where there's likely to be snow, the main cities remain fully open and will be quieter for sightseeing. The UK is at its best when spring has sprung.
London is a busy year-round destination. When visiting London in December keep in mind that hotel prices and airfares are higher than in other months. As this is peak travel time to the city, visitors flood the most popular attractions, and stores get filled with shoppers, so make sure to plan your days out.
London records average temperatures ranging from highs of 46.9 degrees Fahrenheit (8.3 degrees Celsius) to lows of 2.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 degrees Celsius) during winter. London witnesses 16 snowfall days throughout the year, and the snow can accumulate to depths of 18.4 inches (467.3 millimeters).
Winters in London are characterised by cold and often rainy weather. The average high between December and February is 48°F (9°C) and the average low is 41°F (5°C). However, freezing temperatures are not uncommon and snow is not unheard of.
The last severely snowy spell in London and the south-east was March 2018's Beast From The East — but of course, that missed Christmas. For snowy festivities, we need to rewind back to December 2010.
Christmas is a truly enchanting time to visit the city. There's a certain magic that can be felt throughout December. The lights are brighter, smiles are larger, and London attractions look even more beautiful than usual. Read our guide for a full run-down of recommended activities.
Peak season: June to August and December to early January is the busiest and most expensive time to visit as the weather is generally warm and dry and there are many events and activities taking place. If you don't mind the crowds and higher prices, this might be the best time for you to visit London.
Christmas is a magical time of year to be visiting London. There are spectacular decorations everywhere, and people are generally in a festive mood. Here are some of our favourite seasonal experiences, which are all great reasons to visit London during the Christmas holidays.
In winter the average is between 2 and 7 degrees Celsius (36–45 degrees Fahrenheit), but temperatures often drop to just below 0 degrees Celsius (36 degrees Fahrenheit).
July and August are normally the warmest month in England. Around the coasts, February is normally the coldest month, but inland there is little to choose between January and February as the coldest month.
Best Shoes for London Winters
London gets very little snow in the winter, so there's definitely no need to pack snow boots. What you do need, however, is something waterproof, as London is quite rainy all winter. One of the most classic shoes to wear in London in winter are wellies, aka rain boots.
Top style tips for the United Kingdom
Black is always a popular color, and smart casual clothes will help you fit right in. In the UK jeans are worn by everyone – young and old alike – and unless you are visiting more upscale restaurants they are perfectly acceptable to wear everywhere.
Top Tips to Beat The Queues
Our busier times are weekends and school holidays (Christmas, Easter, Summer and UK Half Term holidays). If possible, try to avoid these days and/or visit us at a quieter time - we recommend booking a morning slot. The time stated on your ticket is the time you enter the queue-line.
The seasons are defined as spring (March, April, May), summer (June, July, August), autumn (September, October, November) and winter (December, January, February).
The North Pennines are one of the snowiest parts of England and Copley, County Durham, sees snow falling on average 53 days each year. It is just south of the North Pennines AONB, home to one of only a handful of outdoor ski centres in England.
The temperatures of London are much milder than those of NYC. NYC is both warmer in the summer and colder in the winter - London is just London all the time. London's temperatures average winter lowers around 40 degrees F (or 5 Celsius) and summer highs get up to around 70 degrees F (21 Celsius).
London is the second most expensive European capital for Christmas holidays – Reykjavik is first. [PRESS RELEASE] According to hotel search engine www.travelmyth.co.uk, Reykjavik is the most expensive European capital for Christmas holidays.