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Along the year, English climate experiences around 1340 hours of sunlight, with (usually) least cloud cover along the south coast and most cloud cover in the northern and western sections. So London, being situated in the south-east, should generally receive less cloud cover than other cities in England. Less cloud cover results in more heat reaching the surface during the day. At night however, less cloud cover will have the complete opposite effect; since there will be less clouds around, the heat gathered in the ground during the day will escape freely. In other words, if clouds are present at night time, this escaping heat will reflect back to the ground and stay in the system a little longer before it escapes - the heat is trapped by the clouds.

Seasons

Springtime in England usually beings in March when temperatures finally begin to rise after winter, and lasts until May with temperatures ranging anything from 3°C to 8°C (the minimum average temperature) or 10°C to 17°C (the maximum average temperature). Safe to say, each season can vary a lot from year to year in this country. Spring also brings with it a multitude of color after a dark winter with all the new plants beginning to grow. However, expect a few wet and/or windy days ahead of you; summer is not here just quite yet.

English summertime (June to August) temperatures usually reach about 26°C, but temperatures such as 32°C have also been experienced. In London specifically, the maximum average temperature is 21°C, with the minimum being only 12°C - so be prepared for both swelteringly hot weather and cooler, windier weather. This is the season when plants really flourish, almost bringing even more colors than spring. One aspect to bear in mind though is that cities are usually warmer than the countryside due to the "urban heat island effect", so if you are planning to leave the city, expect to find yourself in a slightly colder environment than in the city. This heat effect in all cities is caused mostly by buildings and roads which absorb heat, combined with humans that naturally generate heat and less plants to evaporate water results in a warming effect. Either way, the Englishmen always make the most of summer and flock to nearby beaches; enjoying this season to the fullest.

After summer we enter autumn between the months of September and November. This season experiences the largest range in weather conditions - so be prepared for everything! The beginning of autumn can start relatively mild and warm, and then suddenly change to much harsher and colder temperatures the next day; even snowfall is not unheard of for this season. It is the different pressure systems that cause this instability, resulting in more rainfall and cold air.

Influences on English climate

Something that has a great influence on the climate of all European countries is the Gulf Stream, also known as the North Atlantic Drift. England is overall more heavily affected by the Gulf Stream since compared to the other countries, England is a small island surrounded by the ocean. So, how exactly is England affected by this? Well, what the Gulf Stream basically does is transport warm water to Europe. The stronger it is, the more heat is transported. If the Gulf Stream did not exist, England and most of Europe would experience a climate not unlike northern Canada. If the stream simply weakens, we get an overall colder climate. Effects specific to England is the moist air that is transported to the island from the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in wet weather. Most of this rain is experiences along the coast, with drier weather seen further inland.

It's not just about the rainy days...

...but there is an odd charm about it, isn't there? Many people think of cold, gloomy rainy days as depressing, but that has never been the complete case. An Englishman learns early on to embrace these days just as much as the sunny ones. Imagine sitting inside, beside a fireplace with a steaming cup of tea and just watching the rain comfortably from inside, or watching the rain with friends at the local pub, sharing a few drinks together. Sure, rainy days may seem gloomy, but honestly, company and surroundings are what can either make it an excellent (or a gloomy) day, and England sure can serve up cozy places. Alternatively, you could also be one of those people who loves rain and can think of nothing better than embracing the outdoors, even in such weather. When fully prepared for the weather, a walk through the rain can be very refreshing, and with rain comes lush outside environments, only making it all the more beautiful. The parks in London all flourish from the rain, so why not admire the beauty?

Another nice thing about having such unpredictable weather, is that London (and pretty much the rest of England as well) is well prepared for all kinds of weather. There are always a ton of activities to do in all kinds of weather. Take the London Eye as an example; going up it in nice weather will grace you with the perfect view over London, but it can be just as exciting to go up it on a rainy day. What is important is to expand your horizons - England is not a tropical paradise retreat. To fully appreciate a city such as London, you need to fully embrace all days, even the cold wet ones.