A New Arrival’s Guide to Best Weather in the UK

It’s a rainy day. Okay, let’s wait for tomorrow.

Tomorrow: It’s a rainy day again, with breezing wind blowing me up…

Wait, is there a BEST WEATHER IN THE UK?

Of course there is! Living in the UK in summer and winter is a distinctly different experience. If you are tired of its rainy and icy winter lack of sunshine, why not wait till you experience its summer to properly comment on its weather?

When I first came to the UK, it was an artistic September filled with orange fall leaves everywhere. It soon turned into the icy cold winter which I hated most as I almost never see the sunshine.

But as it approaches spring, everything changes. The flowers blossom, the grasses turn green again, and the sunshine is back.

And when summer arrives, I can even enjoy a full day of sunshine as the sun only sets at 10pm! This is arguably the BEST weather in the UK in my opinion.

So, while the UK certainly lives up to its reputation for being rainy and overcast at times, the tempererate maritime climate also affords pleasant summers. And the seasons offer ever-changing beauty and outdoor activities to embrace as you settle into British life.

In this post, I’ll provide a helpful primer on average temperatures, precipitation, daylight hours, weather events, and seasonal rituals to expect each month as a newcomer. Consider it your guide to thriving in the delightful and dramatic meteorological quirks of your new homeland.

Spring: The Second Best Weather in the UK

The spring time is my second favourite weather. It spans through March to May, with the temperature setting at around 3°C to 17°C and gets warmer as it continues.

Though there is a possibility of seeing snowdrops or frosty mornings, the days become noticeably longer (my favourite!). The sunset is around 6pm at the start of March, then delays drastically to 8pm by end of April and even 9pm in May. We can finally get some vitamin D for our bone.

As the spring flowers like daffodils begin blooming in March, and trees reaching its full greenery in May, I always feel like the world is experiencing a whole new reborn process which give me a sense of hope.

The only one thing that I dislike about spring is that my hay fever reactivates very rapidly when trees and grasses started to spread their pollens for reproduction, and this lasts until June when pollens density finally start to reduce.

Summer: The Best Weather in the UK

Do you like to utilise your day fully without having to worry about the dark?

Summer is the best weather in the UK in my opinion! Not only because of its warm weather, but also due to its extremely long daylight hours!

In general, the temperature in June to August can span widely from 10°C to 22°C, which is still quite cool considering that this is a summer. As I used to live in a tropical region which goes up to 35°C, this is really the dream temperature I wish for…

However, don’t forget about the heat waves. I’ve experienced days with temperatures rising up to 40°C and supermarkets had to throw away through fridge stocks as they all turned bad. It was a torture as I could hardly breathe properly, but it only lasts a few days each year.

Summer in the UK also promises you with very long days, sunrise occurs around 4:30am to 6am, and sunset happens after 9-10pm. I always wake up with bright sunshine, and sleep when lights are only starting to get a little dimmer. Weird at first but I soon became excited and started to become more productive.

As sunshine is very rarely seen during its winter days, Brits always crave for it, and they will stay outdoor for sunbathing whenever there is bright sunshine and no rain on the day.

You will also start seeing women of all ages wearing colourful flowery dresses to celebrate the season!

I always make good use of this best weather in the UK to travel around domestically, and stock large piles of ice cream and cold drinks at home.

The summer months are the prime time to enjoy UK beaches, parks, outdoor events and sightseeing. Relish the long days!

Autumn: The Third Best Weather in the UK

Autumn is the season which the UK’s cultural heritage of art starts to hit. You will see leaves turning orange and falling very drastically during September to November, and this is perhaps the best timing to take an artistic photographs with your friends under a giant tree.

The temperature is still pretty tolerable, with the lowest being 4°C and highest being 18°C, though it gets markedly colder when it approaches the end of November as it prepares for the horrible winter.

Just like spring, you will experience a drastic change in sunset time again every day, but this is the other way round which makes it sort of depressing. The sunset is usually close to 7pm in September, but by November, it reaches 4pm…

Wind and rain starts to become more frequent than spring and summer, and I always bring a coat with hat just in case it rains. Storms may happen occasionally too.

The stunning autumn countryside, harvest flavors and cosy evenings offer simple charms before winter sets in. Take it all in!

Winter: The Fourth Best Weather in the UK

Have you ever heard of the winter blue?

Around 2 million of people in the UK are experiencing winter blue during winter every year, which is a term used to describe depression caused by the winter weather.

There are many reasons why winter in the UK is particularly intolerable.

The major reason is definitely its lack of sunshine. Sun typically rises after 8am, and sets before 4pm. As a person studying at school or working, it is almost never possible to see the sun as you wake up early and leave later than that.

How would you have a good mood if the sky looks gloomy and dark all the time?

The temperature, of course, is very cold too during the winter. It ranges between 0°C to 7°C throughout the season, but can sometimes drop below 0°C if a storm is approaching.

It is almost inevitable to develop chilblains during the winter, and I always make sure I wear protective gloves and thermal socks with a furry hat to prevent that as much as possible.

Fortunately, winter is not all bad. As Christmas and New Year are situated during this season, many pretty decorations are up in the city. The atmosphere of celebration and joy wipes out the winter blue for a while, and the holidays also allow people to travel to warmer climates temporarily.

Also, if you own a garden, you can also finally take a break as grasses don’t grow in cold.

The UK winter seems long with early nights and cold temps. Enjoy the season’s comfort foods, holiday festivities and fresh starts that new years bring.

Conclusion

I hope this overview helps newcomers prepare for the variable and dramatic weather that shapes life in the UK. Come equipped for rain, cold and grey skies – but be ready to fall for the vivid beauty each season reveals in your new homeland as well!

Comment below to let me know your thoughts on the best weather in the UK!