Yup. Even if you visit in summer.

So. You've heard about the infamous weather in London. You've checked out all the weather forecasts, and even done it like a local and checked the BBC website for the latest weather warnings.

Naturally then, you book to go during July/August, when the weather (as your exhaustive research tells you) is at its warmest, sometimes even over 20 degrees celsius.

You check out the fashion trends, learn that Londoners don't really do a head-to-toe matching combination, and go for something that's a little quirky, but comfortable too. Just like a local.

In your t-shirt, shorts, walking shoes (plus - clever you - spare pullover because you know it can get chilly) you saunter down London's Oxford Street, shopping bags bulging, looking like you've lived there all your life.

Then this happens.

No, no, not that an elf pops up and photobombs your picture of a taxi.

I'm talking about the rain.

Check out this quiz below. I'll call it the 'How Do You Cope With London Rain' quiz. It's a quiz about....oh. you already guessed it. Fine. Clever clogs.

Q1. It starts raining heavy drops of water, but only the occasional droplet actually hits you. You:
a. Know this means trouble. Dive for shelter.
b. Carry on walking. It's just drizzle.
c. Sigh, get out your umbrella and hold it loosely in your hand, just in case it turns into something worse.

Q2. It's now a torrential downpour. What do you do?
a. Curse.
b. Laugh and get out your camera. This will be hilarious on Facebook, and you'll dry off quickly, anyway.
c. Get out your umbrella, and carry on walking as though you're not being pelted with industrial amounts of H20.

Q3. The rain's stopped! What's your course of action?
a. Get out from under cover, and stomp moodily to your destination.
b. Look remarkably surprised.
c. It's stopped raining? Didn't notice. Oh well. Umbrella away then, in the plastic bag you carry around just for this purpose.

If you answered mostly:

a = Good morning, sunshine. You've stayed in London way, way too long. Time for a break - preferably somewhere where the sun does shine for more than an hour at a time.

b = Welcome to London; I admire your bravery, O Tourist. Just know that an umbrella is an absolute must, even if it's a sunny day - heck, even if the weather forecast says it'll be sunny all day. Oh yeah, and if you answered 'b' for Q2, you won't dry out for the rest of the day. London rain is freezing, even in summer. And you can write off your shoes as well. They won't dry for a week.

c = You're probably a native. You know that the weather is more changeable than a celebrity's latest boyfriends, and moan about it to your friends, but secretly enjoy the unpredictable climate.

Best, my soaked friends,

Elf Dryadalis