Bristol is located in the southwest corner of the United Kingdom. One of the United Kingdom's largest cities, approximately 120 miles west of London and 5 miles east of the Atlantic Ocean. It is nestled between Exmoor and the Mendip Hills. These two geographical features shelter Bristol and make it one of the most unique cities in regards to climate in the UK.
Bristol is one of the warmest cities in the United Kingdom. Its average temperature is 50 degrees F (which is slightly higher than the UK average of 49 degrees). January is the coldest month of the year with an average temperature of 35 degrees F, while July and August are the warmest months with an average of 70 degrees.
Located in the northern hemisphere, Bristol's longest, sunniest days are in June while the shortest, cloudiest are in December. Bristol's nicer weather is caused by the Azores High, a fixed high-pressure zone, which provides warm, dry weather to the area and decreases cloud cover. However, because of its proximity to the Mendip Hills, Bristol does experience more cloudy days than nearby coastal areas due to the convective cloud cover.
Rainfall in this area is mostly dictated by humidity created by the temperature of the surrounding ocean water. Rain falls throughout the year in Bristol, but its rainy season is in late summer and early autumn when the Atlantic is at its warmest. Conversely, Bristol's driest season is in late winter and early spring when the sea water reaches its lowest temperature. Overall, Bristol averages 31 to 35 inches of rain per year.
The Atlantic's influence on Bristol's weather makes snow a rare occurrence. Snow can only fall when temperatures reach below 39 degrees F, and Bristol's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean prevents the average temperature from regularly falling to a point where snow can fall. Although winter frosts are more likely, snow can fall in the area from late November through mid-April. Bristol averages eight to 15 days of snowfall per year.
