The London sunshine forecast for Thursday promises a glorious burst of autumn sun, with the capital shaking off a bitterly cold start to enjoy one of the brightest days of the season so far.
A frosty start gives way to blue skies
It was a shivery beginning to the day. In the early hours, temperatures felt as low as 5C in parts of London, as a brisk north-westerly wind stripped away any lingering warmth. Commuters who set out at first light were greeted by readings of around 8C to 9C, but the wind made it feel several degrees colder. In Greenwich, the thermometer showed 8C at 5am, yet in the breeze it felt closer to 6C. The chilliest spell came between 6am and 8am, when the ‘feels like’ temperature sank to around 5C — cold enough to warrant a proper winter coat.
The chill will not last, though. Temperatures are climbing into double figures by around 10am and will keep rising through the day, peaking at roughly 15C by mid-afternoon. The Met Office is forecasting clear, settled conditions through the middle of the day, with long spells of unbroken sunshine lasting until around 6pm. Crucially, rain is not expected to spoil the picture: the chance of precipitation stays below five per cent through the morning, afternoon and early evening, making this an exceptionally bright and settled October day for the capital.
What the sunshine means for Londoners today
Days like this are made for the great outdoors, and with the city bathed in sunshine, there is every reason to head outside. The capital’s parks should look their autumnal best — Hyde Park’s wide lawns and Richmond Park’s open views are at their most inviting when the air is crisp and the light is low and golden. It is ideal weather for a lunchtime stroll, an outdoor coffee, or a training run in the fresh air — timely for anyone building up their miles after the London Marathon was named among Britain’s easiest marathons. Those wandering in Richmond Park should keep well back from the deer, with police warning visitors to stay 50 metres away after a recent stag attack.
If your plans stretch into the evening, take an extra layer with you. The sunshine will fade after 6pm, and temperatures will fall away quickly once the light goes.
The dry, bright conditions are also a gift for anyone with outdoor plans — from riverside walks along the Thames to a browse around the capital’s street markets. With the rain holding off until late, there is no need to keep one eye on the clouds until the evening.
Cloudier skies move in tonight
The settled weather is not expected to last into the night. Cloud is forecast to gather over the capital from around 9pm, and the chance of rain increases significantly by 11pm, with the risk of showers growing towards midnight. Anyone heading home late would be well advised to check the latest forecast before setting off — and to have an umbrella to hand just in case.
Making the most of autumn’s bright spells
Bright, dry days are precious at this time of year. October typically brings shorter days and increasingly changeable conditions as autumn takes hold, and long spells of sunshine can be few and far between. With the evenings drawing in, today offers a welcome reminder of milder weather — and a final chance to enjoy lunch in the park before the season turns. So wrap up warm for the morning chill and make the most of the afternoon sun. For now, Thursday’s forecast is about as good as October gets: crisp, calm and sunlit, with the capital’s parks and open spaces waiting to be enjoyed — but do keep one eye on the sky this evening.
