Manchester, United Kingdom

Laying northwest of London lies the United Kingdom's third largest urban area; Manchester, England. The city of Manchester is about 250 kilometers from London and only 50 kilometers from Liverpool. Weather in Manchester is overall temperate, with average yearly temperatures hovering around 50°. Summers can be warm and winters can be cold, but don't expect to see snow in the winters. Although the surrounding areas will get snow, the "urban warming" effect within the city limits of Manchester make snowfall rare. Don't worry if you only want to get a glimpse of snow; the Pennines mountains will often get capped with snow in the winter months. Manchester does get plenty of rain, but overall the city receives less rain on average than many other parts of the United Kingdom.

As the United Kingdom's third largest urban area, the city of Manchester proper has a population of a little over a half a million residents and the surrounding metropolitan area has over 2 million inhabitants. Manchester grew to what it is today through its role as the first industrial city of the Industrial Revolution. Manchester weather and its geographic location were the reasons why the city became renown for its textile manufacturing. But why Manchester? Because of the areas high levels of humidity. High humidity was an essential element for textile manufacturing because it decreased the risk of thread breakage. Less thread breakage made for more productivity... and all thanks to the weather in Manchester.

Like sunny days? If you're in Manchester in December you most likely won't see the sun. In the winter months, Manchester weather will average only a half hour of sunlight a day, but come June the city can see up to five and half hours of sunlight daily. Manchester has a twelve degree range in average monthly temperatures, with the lowest average temperate being 4°C in January and February and 16°C in the summer months of July and August. A typical weather forecast in Manchester will have temperate temperatures and the occasional chance of rain, so be prepared. An umbrella, a warm jacket, and possibly even gloves are recommended if you're traveling to Manchester any time of year.