Surely you are familiar with the common stereotype that it rains all the time in England. Well, rainy and cloudy weather does happen quite often here, but you might be surprised to know that the number of rainy days in London is even less than in Rome, New York, Brisbane, Rio de Janeiro or Tokyo!

Most likely, the strong association of the UK with rains arose due to the unpredictability of local weather. There is no clearly defined “rainy season” – rain can begin on any day of any time of the year. Often during the day, dry sunny weather is replaced by a squally wind, and then a downpour.

With the right clothing and an easy going attitude, you’ll be able to enjoy any weather in the UK, no matter how inclement it may be. The climate of England will allow you to have a picnic by the river on a sunny day, dance in clay at a music festival and even play snowballs.
Weather changes in the UK

Although the weather in the UK is unpredictable, local weather conditions are not extreme.

In summer, the average temperature in the country is 9-18 degrees Celsius. Sometimes in the hot season, the thermometer can rise to 30 degrees, but, as a rule, this rarely happens.

In winter, the average temperature fluctuates around 2-7 degrees Celsius, but it happens that it drops below zero. For this reason, most houses, buildings, trains and buses in England are equipped with reliable heating systems.

In general, climate change between regions of the UK is rather insignificant, but snow, rain and wind are more common in mountainous areas.

Most of the local population uses the weather reports from BBC Weather, which are famous for their fairly high accuracy of their forecasts.
Seasons in the UK

Spring (March, April, May)

This is the season of sudden heavy rains, trees blooming and flowers blooming.
Summer (June, July, August)

The warmest time of the year in the UK. The longest daylight hours, periodic thunderstorms and occasional hot weather.
Autumn (September, October, November)

Mild and dry weather in autumn can be replaced by wet and windy. At this time of the year, the leaves fall from the trees, and the thermometer drops down.
Winter (December, January, February)

Most cold season in UK. Frosts can occur, and snow occasionally falls.
Daylight hours in the UK

The length of the daylight hours varies considerably throughout the year.

Most длинный световой день приходится на 21 июня: в этот день солнце всходит в 5 часов утра и опускается за горизонт в 9 часов вечера.

Most короткий световой день случается 21 декабря, когда солнце встает в 8 утра и садится уже в 4 часа дня.
What you need to be prepared for in the UK

Despite the fact that the climate in England is quite mild, there are still a few things to keep in mind:

– on sunny and hot days, be sure to cover the parts of the body that are not protected by clothing with sunscreen. Even if it seems to you that it is not hot outside, the skin can quickly burn in the sun. It’s also a good idea to cover your head with a hat to prevent heat stroke, and be sure to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

– on cold and snowy days, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:

* Wear several layers of clothing at once, it is highly recommended to wear a warm coat, scarf and gloves on top to maintain body temperature.

* Don’t be stingy with a really warm duvet or blanket (UK ratings are measured in tog, the higher the rating the warmer the duvet. Maximum possible is 15 tog).

* If you have washed your hair, be sure to dry your hair before you leave the house. Wet hair can lead to hypothermia.

* The paths and streets of England can be slippery in winter – so it makes sense to choose shoes that have good traction (for example, shoes with rubber and rough soles).

* Driving on slippery roads can be dangerous (studded tires are not allowed in the UK). Therefore, on ice it is better to use public transport or completely abandon the trip.

As a rule, public transport in England operates quite well throughout the year, however, in times of extreme weather conditions (for example, during heavy snowfalls or fogs), there may be delays in transport operation and even cancellation of routes.

In rural England, you need to be prepared for any change in the weather. Even if the forecast predicts sunny weather, during the day you can encounter heavy fog, wind or rain. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of comfortable, waterproof shoes, waterproof outerwear and a warm sweater in advance.

If you are going to hike or hike in the outlying corners of England, be sure to bring a compass, a good map and food supplies, and be sure to let your friends know where you are going.