So, you're looking at the weather for 10 days in London and wondering if you should pack that heavy wool coat or just settle for a sturdy umbrella. Honestly, London in January is usually a gray, drizzly mess that feels colder than the thermometer says because of that biting dampness. But right now? Things are looking a bit more dramatic than your standard "scattered showers."
We've basically got a tug-of-war happening over the Thames. On one side, there's the relatively mild Atlantic air trying to keep us in the 40s and 50s. On the other, a massive block of high pressure over Scandinavia is threatening to pull in a "Beast from the East" style freeze. If you're planning to be in the city between now and late January, you’ve gotta keep a close eye on the wind direction.
The Short Term: Wet, Windy, and Very "London"
Right now, it's all about the rain. For Friday, January 16, 2026, we're looking at a high of 49°F with light rain sticking around most of the day. The humidity is sitting at a whopping 92%, so everything feels a bit slick and heavy. South winds are blowing at about 7 mph, which isn't a gale, but it’s enough to make that 38°F "feels like" temperature sting.
The weekend doesn't offer much of a break. Saturday stays cloudy with a high of 49°F and a low of 43°F. Sunday actually bumps up a tiny bit to 50°F, though the clouds aren't going anywhere. It's that classic January stretch where the sun feels like a distant memory you once heard about in a book.
Is the "Beast" Actually Coming?
Here is what most people get wrong about London winters: they assume the "big snow" never happens. But meteorologists like Jim Dale from British Weather Services have been watching a specific simulation. Around January 21, those easterly winds might start to gain some real weight.
We are talking about a potential shift where the Atlantic air loses the battle. If that happens, those 50-degree days will evaporate. The Met Office and BBC have both hinted at a transition to much colder conditions toward the end of the month. In fact, by January 25, we’re looking at daytime highs dropping to 43°F and night-time lows hitting 34°F.
The 10-Day Outlook at a Glance
- Jan 16-20: Persistent light rain and drizzle. Highs around 50°F, lows near 42°F. It’s damp. Very damp.
- Jan 21: A rare "sunny interval" moment. High of 46°F. Enjoy it while it lasts.
- Jan 22-24: Temperatures start to slide. Highs around 44°F-45°F. Sleet becomes a real possibility at night.
- Jan 25: The shift. We're expecting rain and snow mixed as the low hits 34°F.
Why the Forecast Keeps Changing
Forecasts for 10 days out are never 100% certain, especially in the UK. We’re an island. Our weather is basically a chaotic soup. The "Beast from the East" depends entirely on whether that cold Siberian air actually manages to collide with moisture over the North Sea.
If it misses? We just get a cold, dry wind. If it hits? London could see its most significant snow event in years. Some models are even whispering about a blizzard around January 26 that could dump several inches on the capital. That’s enough to shut down the Tube and turn the city into a giant, slushy park.
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Survival Tips for the Next 10 Days
If you're out and about, forget being fashionable.
- Layering is everything. Wear a base layer that wicks moisture. London rain isn't always heavy, but it's "misty" and gets into your bones.
- Waterproof footwear. Don't wear your favorite suede boots. Between the puddles and the potential for sleet later in the week, you'll regret it.
- Check the Met Office app daily. Things are shifting fast. What looks like a drizzle today could be a "yellow warning" for ice by Tuesday.
London is incredible in the winter, even when it's freezing. There's something about the way the lights hit the wet pavement on Regent Street. Just make sure you're prepared for the dip in temperature coming our way. Those easterly winds don't play around.
Keep your travel plans flexible toward the end of next week. If the sleet and snow projections for January 25 and 26 hold true, expect some transport hiccups across the city.