Weather Comparison
Side-by-side weather comparison for January
| Metric | Manchester | London | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average HighHigher is warmer | 6°C (43°F) | 7°C (45°F)▲ | London |
| Average LowHigher is milder | 2°C (36°F) | 2°C (36°F) | Tie |
| Rain DaysFewer is drier | 15 days | 11 days▲ | London |
| PrecipitationLess is drier | 89 mm | 55 mm▲ | London |
| Sunshine HoursMore is sunnier | 3h/day | 4h/day▲ | London |
| HumidityLower is more comfortable | 65% | 65% | Tie |
| UV IndexLower is safer | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Wind SpeedCalmer is better | 24 km/h | 23 km/h▲ | London |
Based on sunshine hours, rain days, comfortable temperatures, and humidity levels, London edges ahead as the better destination in January. London offers 4 hours of daily sunshine with only 11 rain days, while Manchester sees 3 sunshine hours and 15 rain days.
Manchester is on the cooler side at 6°C, requiring warmer clothing. London is cooler at 7°C.
For travelers who prioritize dry weather, London is the stronger choice in January. London receives 1 more hour of sunshine per day, which matters for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Manchester reaches an average high of 6°C (43°F) and drops to 2°C (36°F) at night during January. The daily temperature range is 4°C, meaning relatively stable temperatures from day to night.
London averages 7°C (45°F) for the high and 2°C (36°F) for the low, with a daily range of 5°C. The two cities feel quite similar in terms of temperature.
Both cities are in the Northern Hemisphere, so they share the same seasonal pattern in January.
Manchester receives approximately 89 mm of rainfall across 15 rain days during January. Rain is frequent, so waterproof gear is essential.
London sees 55 mm over 11 rain days. That makes London the drier option by 4 rain days and 34 mm of total precipitation.
Both cities share similar humidity levels at 65%.
Highs of 6°C, lows of 2°C, 15 rain days
Highs of 7°C, lows of 2°C, 11 rain days
Pack for both: heavy winter coat, thermal base layers, warm gloves and hat, insulated boots, waterproof jacket, compact umbrella, waterproof shoes, a warm scarf. These items are useful in either destination during January.
The table below shows average high temperatures and rain days for every month. January is highlighted for quick reference.
| Month | Manchester | London | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | Rain | High | Rain | |
| Jan | 6°C | 15d | 7°C | 11d |
| Feb | 7°C | 14d | 8°C | 10d |
| Mar | 9°C | 14d | 10°C | 10d |
| Apr | 12°C | 13d | 14°C | 11d |
| May | 15°C | 13d | 17°C | 10d |
| Jun | 18°C | 14d | 20°C | 10d |
| Jul | 19°C | 16d | 22°C | 11d |
| Aug | 19°C | 15d | 21°C | 10d |
| Sep | 17°C | 13d | 19°C | 9d |
| Oct | 13°C | 15d | 15°C | 11d |
| Nov | 9°C | 16d | 10°C | 11d |
| Dec | 7°C | 15d | 8°C | 11d |
Manchester Weather in January
Full forecast, packing tips, and activities
London Weather in January
Full forecast, packing tips, and activities