London is bracing for a frosty welcome to the New Year, with forecasters predicting a significant cold snap that will see temperatures drop below freezing in the first week of 2026.
A Chilly Start to the New Year
According to BBC Weather, the capital is set for a particularly cold spell between Saturday, January 3 and Tuesday, January 6. Overnight thermometers are expected to plummet to lows of -1°C and -2°C, marking a distinctly frosty beginning to the year. The Met Office broadly agrees, though suggests the cold weather could begin a day earlier, on Friday, January 2.
Despite the icy nights, daytime conditions are predicted to remain sunny and cool with light winds. A slight warming trend is anticipated by the following weekend (January 10-11), when nighttime lows are expected to rise to around 3°C.
Uncertainty for the Rest of January
The longer-range outlook for the second half of the month remains uncertain. The BBC's forecast indicates that high pressure will be a key influence, but its precise position is still unclear. The most likely scenario suggests temperatures will fluctuate around, or slightly below, the seasonal average for January.
"Later in January, there may be a chance of a return to milder and more widely unsettled conditions," the BBC states. However, there is a risk that high pressure could settle further north, leading to a prolonged period of colder weather. The Met Office describes its outlook for this period as "relatively unsettled" with showers, particularly near coasts.
How Cold is Normal for London?
This predicted cold snap will see temperatures fall notably below London's typical January averages. Official data shows that the capital's average January lows are around 2.7°C, with highs of 8.4°C. It is therefore uncommon for the city to experience sustained sub-zero conditions. Despite the low temperatures, the forecast suggests snow in London is unlikely during this period.
London's 10-day forecast from BBC Weather:
- Dec 28: 9°C/2°C, light cloud
- Dec 29: 7°C/4°C, light cloud
- Dec 30: 7°C/0°C, sunny intervals
- Dec 31: 5°C/0°C, sunny
- Jan 1: 7°C/3°C, sunny intervals
- Jan 2: 6°C/0°C, drizzle
- Jan 3: 5°C/-1°C, sunny intervals
- Jan 4: 5°C/-2°C, sunny
- Jan 5: 4°C/-1°C, sunny intervals
- Jan 6: 5°C/0°C, drizzle
