Honestly, looking at the forecast for London right now is a bit like reading a thriller where the plot keeps shifting. One minute you're packing an umbrella for light drizzle, and the next, there’s talk of a "Beast from the East" style blizzard potentially lurking in the wings. If you're planning your life around the weather for london 10 days out, you've basically got to prepare for two different versions of January.
Right now, as of Saturday, January 17, 2026, we are sitting in a grey, damp pocket of typical British winter. It’s cloudy, it’s about 45°F, and the humidity is a staggering 94%. You know that feeling where the air just feels heavy? That’s where we are.
The Immediate 10-Day Outlook: Rain, Sleet, and the "Beast"
If you’re sticking to the city center over the next week, keep your coat zipped. For the next few days, we’re looking at a steady diet of light rain and temperatures that refuse to move much. Saturday and Sunday (January 17–18) are hovering around the 50°F or 51°F mark for highs, which is actually a bit milder than the 45°F average we usually see this time of year.
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But don't get too comfortable.
By Monday, January 19, the chance of rain jumps to 75%. It’s going to be one of those days where the drizzle just won't quit. As we move deeper into the week, the numbers start a slow, painful slide downward. By the time we hit next weekend, January 24 and 25, the "mild" London winter starts to crack.
Why the Forecast is Getting Weird
There’s a massive tug-of-war happening in the atmosphere. On one side, you have the Atlantic systems trying to push in wet, slightly warmer air. On the other, high pressure over Scandinavia—led by experts like Jim Dale from British Weather Services—is threatening to funnel freezing easterly winds straight across the North Sea.
- Mid-week (Jan 21-22): Expect highs to drop to 47°F with persistent light rain.
- The Turning Point (Jan 25): This is when things get interesting. We’re looking at a transition from rain to a "rain and snow" mix at night.
- The Sleet Streak: BBC Weather and other local reports are currently eyeing a four-day stretch of sleet starting Sunday, January 25, through Wednesday, January 28.
Is the "Snow Bomb" Actually Coming?
Everyone loves a dramatic headline, and "Snow Bomb" is a classic. But let's look at the actual data. Metdesk and WXCharts are pointing toward a significant weather front arriving around Thursday, January 29. While that's just outside our immediate 10-day window, the lead-up to it is what matters for your current planning.
For the next 10 days, London specifically is more likely to see "wintry mix" than a deep blanket of white. However, the temperature at night by Monday, January 26, is expected to hit 34°F. That’s freezing point territory. If that easterly wind gains more strength than the Atlantic moisture, those "light rain" predictions for the 26th could very easily turn into the first proper snowfall of the year.
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What Most People Get Wrong About London Snow
People assume that because London is a "heat island," it never snows. While the city stays a few degrees warmer than the suburbs (thanks to all that concrete and the Underground humming beneath us), a true easterly flow doesn't care about your radiator. The current weather for london 10 days forecast shows a decreasing UV index (it's basically zero) and rising wind speeds from the southeast and northeast, which are the classic delivery systems for a chill that gets into your bones.
Survival Guide for the Next 10 Days
Since we’re looking at 16 days of rainfall on average this month and a high probability of sleet toward the end of next week, your wardrobe needs to be tactical.
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- Waterproof Footwear is Non-Negotiable: London pavements become incredibly slippery when rain turns to sleet. Forget the fashion sneakers for a bit.
- The Layering Rule: Since temperatures will fluctuate between 51°F and 34°F over the next 10 days, you need a base layer that wicks moisture. Walking into a 70°F tube station when you're dressed for a 35°F blizzard is a recipe for a cold.
- Prepare for Travel Gremlins: Even a centimeter of sleet can mess with the overground trains. If you have a flight out of Heathrow or Gatwick toward the end of this 10-day window (Jan 25-26), keep a very close eye on the morning updates.
The Actionable Bottom Line
Check your pipes and your pantry before the 25th. While the next five days are just "annoyingly damp," the shift toward the end of this 10-day cycle is looking increasingly sharp. The transition from a 51°F high on Monday the 19th to a potential 34°F low with snow/rain mix by the following Sunday is a massive swing.
If you're planning any outdoor events, aim for the early part of this week. By the time we hit the 25th, the "high degree of uncertainty" mentioned by the Met Office means you should probably have a "Plan B" that involves a fireplace and a heavy blanket.
Track the wind direction specifically. If you see it switching firmly to the Northeast by the 24th, that's your signal that the cold air has won the battle. Stay dry out there.