In December, how often does it rain? I'm wondering how big of a deal it is to pack a raincoat or if a puffer will be just fine.
Posted by Phil_Matic@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 30 comments
I'll be traveling to London in December and I am aware that it will be cold, but I also have read that it rains quite frequently. My question is, what kind of rain are we talking here? Is it heavy? or does it vary? I'm traveling with just a carry on luggage so I am very limited on space. I'm just trying to pack as effectively as possible. So far I'm bringing a puffer jacket with a hood, and I'm wondering if that would suffice or if I definitely need a raincoat of some sort.
JavaRuby2000@reddit
I work in London. I don't wear anything more than a normal hoody. It doesn't get that cold here and London isn't that wet compared to the rest of the UK. I haven't owned a proper rain or winter coat for over 12 years in London as it is simply unneeded. Half the time you are travelling around on the Tube which is baking hot even in the winter so if you wear a big coat then you'd be soaked with sweat.
You can see December 2023 weather here.
https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/uk/london/historic?month=12&year=2023.
Cold but, not totally freezing and only a few light showers throughout the month.
Phil_Matic@reddit (OP)
This is what I like to see! This to me sounds very realistic. I’ll likely have a few options of hoodies plus my puffer jacket just in case, but maybe nothing more. If needed I’ll shop for a rain coat or umbrella. Thank you!
bucketofardvarks@reddit
Just look at the weather forecast the day before you leave? Or you know, pack for rain.
thecuriousiguana@reddit
Take a raincoat.
In December it can be dry and bright. Or light drizzle. Or torrential downpours. Any of these can last from a minute to several hours. And you can get them all on the same day.
When you're trying to be out and about and enjoy the city, you don't want to be soaked to the skin. Especially as it'll also likely be cold.
Forever_a_Kumquat@reddit
How often does it rain.. yes
Is it heavy or light... Yes.
Might it snow... Yes
Might it be sunny and warm... Yes.
Phil_Matic@reddit (OP)
lol I like this response. I don’t mind snow. Actually I don’t mind rain much either it just is difficult when you’re limited on what you can take with you
Harvsnova2@reddit
Buy a cheap brolly or a pack-a-mac when you get here. You can wear it over your puffa jacket if it's crappy weather. Either should be £10-20.
MaryBerrysDanglyBean@reddit
Your hotel might let you rent an umbrella?
martzgregpaul@reddit
In london theres dozens of tourist shops selling cheap ones for about £10
MaryBerrysDanglyBean@reddit
Depends how long you're there for though, and the weather. Might just need it for a day or 2. Longer than a week though and yeah it's probably worth just buying one
HauntingTheVoid@reddit
They should just pin this as a year round forecast
bishopsfinger@reddit
During the winter, remember to REMAIN INDOORS (preferably in a pub).
imokaytho@reddit
Take your puffer coat with you on the plane. and keep a foldable raincoat in your pocket
imokaytho@reddit
Hard to say. You can get sunshine, hail, light rain, heavy rain and snow all in one day
steveakacrush@reddit
Does the puffer jacket have a shower proof or DWP coating??
Honestly, it will probably rain at some point and potentially for several days continuously. It could be a torrential downpour or a light drizzle or maybe even snow.
Personally I would go with the puffer jacket and buy an umbrella when you get here.
Phil_Matic@reddit (OP)
It’s probably some basic puffer jacket. It’s advertised as having some 3M insulation lol
Hookton@reddit
Every day. It might not happen every day, but it happens most days so you should plan for that.
Poo_Poo_La_Foo@reddit
The trick is to just pop into a pub for a drink whenever it rains. There's a pub roughly every 200 yards, ad once you've had a few, you won't care it's raining any more. #lifehack
Tim-Sanchez@reddit
It rains very frequently, and it can be quite heavy especially in winter. You can easily buy a waterproof jacket that squashes into a tiny bag when you're in the UK.
DrKriegerBot@reddit
This guy weathers
nivlark@reddit
It won't be that cold, and you'll presumably be indoors most of the time. So I'd skip the puffer and bring a raincoat and one or more warm layers that you can add/remove as required. Otherwise you'll be wet outdoors, and too hot indoors.
TSC-99@reddit
The weather is too unpredictable here to predict
jaymatthewbee@reddit
The weather will be unpredictable, but it won’t be warm and it will almost certainly rain at times.
Also, sunrise isn’t until 8am and sunset is before 4pm, so it gets dark early.
elgrn1@reddit
Puffer and umbrella. Gloves and other clothing layers you can put on and take off as needed. If you're short on space in your bag, wear some layers at the airport and take them off on the plane if you're too warm. Also wear/carry to puffer jacker to have more room in your case.
PM-me-your-cuppa-tea@reddit
Depends what you’re doing. I live in London and don’t own a raincoat, but I’m also not wandering around as a tourist outside and accept the risk of getting drenched.
DiscoZohan@reddit
Puffer and umbrella, maybe a woolly hat and gloves too.
idontlikemondays321@reddit
It will likely rain most days. Mostly drizzle on and off. Bring your puffer coat and buy a cheap umbrella when you’re here
noclue72@reddit
You understand the UK weather apparently, December is a wet month prepare for it
EvilTaffyapple@reddit
The whole month usually.
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