I’m from the Midwest, so am accustomed to winters. But our cold is not the same as Chicago cold, or Toronto cold We typically are fine with a lightweight puffer cost, gloves, scarf for walking around. But it’s not harsh the majority of the time. I’d really like to not take my heavier coat if possible.
What kind of “cold” is it in London in January. Thanks!
Hi!
Cold in London in winter is generally not as harsh as US Midwestern cold. I grew up in Vermont, Iowa, and Michigan, and now live in London. Here in London I have never had to gear up with boots and giant parkas and whatnot.
London can be drizzly and damp, with with cold winds blowing off the river. It’s an entirely different style of cold from the US. midwest.
Soooooo… my advice is that you will NOT need that heavier coat. Anyway, it’s a city, not the wild rugged moors. If you get chilly, you can always just pop into a pub!
I think it’s probably a similar cold to the cold you are used to. The difference will be the damp element to the weather. This can make even relatively mild temperatures feel a lot less comfortable. The chill sort of permeates your bones and can make it impossible to warm up. However, in London you’ll be in and out of warm buildings and tubes so you really don’t want a very heavy coat in my opinion.
Some years it might be colder and frosty but that’s less common in London. Check the weather before you leave. It’s really pretty accurate now for temperature a week or so in advance.
If you get cold take the tube, particularly the deep tubes (not Circle, Hammersmith & City, District or Metropolitan lines which are sub-surface), and you will warm up in a flash, no matter how cold outside.
Layers are your friend.
Thank you so much for your responses! A puffer coat it is!
