United Kingdom Climate: Temperate Maritime, Mild & Wet

The UK enjoys a temperate maritime climate (Köppen: Cfb)—mild for its latitude (50–60°N) due to the Gulf Stream / North Atlantic Drift.

Element	Description
Temperature	Annual mean 9–11°C (48–52°F). Jan: 2–7°C (36–45°F). Jul: 13–19°C (55–66°F). Rare extremes (<–10°C or >35°C).
Rainfall	Average 800–1,400 mm/yr (31–55 in). West/Highlands: 2,000–3,000+ mm. East/Sheltered: 500–700 mm. No dry season; drizzle frequent.
Sunshine	1,200–1,600 hrs/yr. South coast ~1,750h. Scotland highlands ~1,100h. Summer days long (16–18h); winter short (7–8h).
Wind	Prevailing SW. Gale days: 15–30/yr coast, <5 inland. Storms (named) autumn/winter.
Snow	Lowlands: few days/yr, rarely settles. Highlands: 30–60+ days. Disruptive when it occurs.

South East England: Warmest, driest, sunniest (London microclimate + urban heat island).
Scotland (Highlands/Islands): Coolest, wettest, windiest, snowiest.
West Coast (Wales, NW England, SW Scotland): Wettest (orographic lift).
East Coast (East Anglia, NE England): Drier, sunnier, colder winters (continental influence).