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London has a temperate marine climate
like much of the British Isles, so the city rarely sees
extremely high or low temperatures. Summers are warm
with average high temperatures of 21 °C (70 °F) - 24 °C
(75 °F) and lows of 11 °C (52 °F) - 14 °C (57 °F). But
temperatures can exceed 25 °C (77 °F) on many days, and
in almost every year they exceed 30 °C (86 °F) on some
days. The highest temperature ever recorded was 39 °C
(102 °F) [83] on 10th August 2003. Winters in London are
chilly, but rarely below freezing with daytime highs
around 8 °C (46 °F) - 12 °C (54 °F), while spring has
mild days and cool evenings. The lowest ever recorded
temperature is −10 °C (14.0 °F). Autumn is usually mild
but often unsettled as colder air from the north and
warmer air from the south meet, occasionally deep
depressions form like the Great Storm of 1987.
London is a relatively dry city with regular but
generally light precipitation throughout the year, with
average precipitation of 583.6 millimeters (22.98 in)
every year. Snow is relatively uncommon, particularly
because heat from the urban area can make London up to 5
°C (9 °F) warmer than the surrounding areas in winter.
Some snowfall, however, is usually seen up to a few
times a year. The snowfall of February 2009 was the
heaviest London had seen for 18 years. London is in USDA
Hardiness zone 9, and AHS Heat Zone.
Europeans like to call English weather 'mild' but by Indian standards it
gets pretty chilly in winters. Snow is common too, but
what makes it unbearable are the stormy winds. Since
England lies in a constant low-pressure area, it's
besieged by wild winds almost through out the year,
which during winter can be stressing. If visiting London
in winters, layering is the best way to protect yourself
from the cold, although a nice, thick coat works well
too.
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