The UK enjoys moderate weather patterns and a temperate climate. Its position on the edge of the Atlantic means that although there are not many extremes, there are certainly many changes. So, when coming to the UK, be prepared to dress for all weather.

Whatever the season, the weather here is likely to change from day to day, and in springtime can even change from hour to hour. It is quite usual for an April day to change from rain to scorching heat to snow and back to rain again. This helps to explain why the weather in the UK has become such a national obsession, with weather reports attracting some of the biggest audiences on television.

Typical Weather

Many days can be dull and overcast, although we also enjoy long summer evenings because of our northerly latitude, and one of the great pleasures of living here is that days of fine sunny weather can occur in all seasons. However, generally speaking temperatures range from a moderate to hot 14-30 degrees Celsius in the summer (June-August), to a cool to freezing 0-6 degrees in the winter (November-February), with only 7 hours daylight and regular snow outside of the cities.

Another general rule is that the weather gets worse the further north you go. So expect the weather to be colder in Scotland than it is in Southern England, although, once again, this is not a guarantee. In fact, the only rule that can be truly applied to the weather in the UK is that there are no rules at all.

Be Prepared

Therefore, if you are wondering what to wear when you come here, the best thing to do is bring a good selection of clothes, including lots of light layers that you can take off and put on again as the weather changes. Also make sure that you bring at least one warm pullover (jumper) and a waterproof coat, because when it rains here, it really rains.

If you are arriving in autumn (September-November), expect temperatures of anywhere between 7-18 degrees Celsius. Days can be sunny and warm but cold and rain are just as likely. Expect the weather to be much better in September than in November, as winter draws in quickly around this time.

Spring in the UK runs from March to May and can be the most beautiful time of year, when it is not raining. Expect the temperature here to vary between 7-12 degrees Celsius. May, however, can see temperatures soar to above 20, this is usually the first time that Brits get some sunshine after a long dark winter, and is generally the cause of great excitement for about 48 hours, until it starts raining again.

So there you have it, the UK weather is so varied and unpredictable that it defies explanation and induces fascination. So next time you find yourself sitting next to a Brit on a train or bus and can't think of anything to say, simply turn to them and declare 'funny weather we've been having lately, isn't it?' They won't stop talking until you reach your destination.

 
By John Hillman

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USEFUL WORDS

A short period of heavy rain = downpour

Weather that often changes = unsettled / changeable

Weather when the air feels hot and wet = humid

Describes warm and dry weather = mild

Dark and with clouds = overcast

Snow and rain falling together = sleet

Pleasant and warm; not too cold or too hot = fine
Cloudy air near the ground that is difficult to see through = (thick) fog
Describes very cold weather = freezing / bitterly cold
Loud noises and flashing lights in the sky = thunder and lightning
A sky covered with clouds = dull / overcast
An area which has mild temperatures without extremes of heat or cold = temperate
Weather which changes a lot = unpredictable

TALKING ABOUT THE WEATHER

In these example conversations, B replies using more informal language:

A: Bit cold today, isn't it?                 B: Yes, it's chilly/nippy isn't it?
A: It's hot isn't it?                              B: Yes, it's boiling/sweltering/roasting/scorching!
A: It's a bit windy today!                  B: Yes, really blowy/breezy, isn't it?
A: It's really raining a lot!                 B: Yes, it's chucking it down/it's pouring!
A: Isn't it humid today?                    B: Yes, horribly muggy/clammy.

Talking about Temperatures

boiling / hot / warm / not very warm / cold / freezing

A: How hot does it get in the summer?
B: It can reach about 35 degrees.
A: What's the temperature like in the winter?
B: It often goes below zero.

GRAMMAR SPOT

Use expressions like these to talk about probability in the future:

is/are + phrase + to + verb

It's bound to rain again tomorrow.
They're sure to stay dry if they take umbrellas with them.

it's + adjective (+ that) + will

It's quite possible that tomorrow's match will be cancelled due to the bad weather.
I'm fairly convinced that this winter will be mild.

will + adverb + verb

You'll probably find that British weather is a bit different to your country.
He'll certainly need a hat to protect his head from the sun.

adverb + won't + verb

It definitely won't be as cold tomorrow.
You probably won't find much snow in the city centre.