If you are from a generally warm country, it may take you some to adjust to the colder British climate. Weather conditions in the UK vary from day to day, as well as from season to season. However, broadly speaking, the climate in the UK is moderate: summers are fairly cool and winters are quite mild, with January being the coldest and July being the hottest month. In general, the south is warmer than the north, while the west is wetter than the east. The more extreme weather tends to occur in the mountainous and hilly areas where it is often cloudy, wet and windy.
Bristol's climate generally follows the trends detailed above, and is unlikely to suffer from any extremes one way or the other. The best way to cope with the unpredictable changes in weather is to be prepared for anything.
- Make a habit of carrying an umbrella. If you buy the collapsible type, it will be small enough to keep in your backpack or book bag, or even in the pocket of your jacket.
- Wear a waterproof, windproof jacket. There are lots of different weatherproof jackets available in the UK, so if you do not already have one, it probably makes sense to wait and buy one when you are here.
- Learn to layer your clothing, especially on the top half of your body. For example, if you wear a cotton shirt underneath a woollen sweater and your weatherproof jacket, you will be able to add or remove layers as the weather changes.
- Wear sturdy, well-made shoes with rubber soles and a good tread - they will stop you from slipping in wet or frosty conditions.
- Thick socks, gloves and a warm hat help retain the body's heat.
Average maximum and minimum temperatures in Bristol in degrees centigrade:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 8 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 8 |
| Min. | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4 |