General Chat

:-(.

Here I am at work, taking a sneaky look on the internet for UK temperatures. OH and I flying to UK in May.

What do I see: " UK in for coldest May in 100 years"......

Now I really don't know what to pack, my spring and winter wardrobes maybe? :-D

Susan

You should have come in March - we were all in shorts and T shirts (well not me, I wouldn't be seen dead in shorts, lol).

At the moment it's freezing and hasn't stopped raining for days.

You need to pack for all seasons!!

Kath. x

But I am only allowed 23 kg's ........ ;-)

Don't pack anything....go on a spending spree when you get there.

:-D

That sounds like a good idea Susan10146857.

Kath. x

it is freezing!! and promises to be for the rest of the month :-(

Layers, ... that's the answer.
I know you shouldn't need more than one layer in May, but that's UK for you.
At the moment it is changing really quickly throughout the day. Bright sunshine can develop into April showers, then heavy hailstorm within half an hour.
The cold is constant though.
A decent pair of shoes to keep you dry and comfortable would be one of my essentials.

It could all change by May.

Unless you live in glacier country, I'd say it will probably be alot colder here than your early summer there..

Gwyn

Susanwiv - I like your thinking....

Ann, oh dear...

Gwyn, what will be will be no doubt, I shall dig out the thermal underwear

The upside is we are on a lovely holiday, visiting a beautiful country and meeting new friends and family :-)

Susan

Go on a spending spree.......... but don't even think of paying extra for overweight luggage on your way home.

This is crazy - but it's cheaper to post your packages home, rather than pay for excess baggage.

We had a pile of parcels in the spare room, waiting for a friend returning from a long overseas trip.. every time he went to another country (with different climate) he'd send clothes home and buy new ones. If he had kept the clothes he would have needed four suitcases...... and a lot of cash to pay for excess baggage.

Have a great trip :-D

Bring camisoles or sleeveless T shirts, a couple of long sleeved T shirts/rugby shirts and a couple of cardigans/light sweaters. The temperature will probably be above 12C during the day. (mid 50sF) Wear jeans to travel if you normally wear them, they are heavy to pack. Are you staying somewhere you can do washing? By the way it is surprising what you can pack for 23KG. Leave out things like shampoo that can be bought here, bottles are heavy. Brink an anorak type coat, you can carry that on it doesn't count in the weight. Put extra undies in your carry on bag, serves two purposes, saves weight and useful if luggage is delayed.

We have a similar problem going to Tenerife in April/May, the weather in North Tenerife can vary so have to go equipped for all eventualities.

Hi Susan-nz

We too are travelling over in May and I have also been watching the weather not knowing what to pack. I have pulled out the thermals just in case.
Thanks all for your suggestions I like the sound of the shopping spree for new clothes, and I am not really a shopper.

As you say Susan the upside is a holiday and a chance to meet people. Might take our warm weather with us if we are lucky.

Have a safe trip. :-)

What is your temperature where you both are, is it a huge drop?

Hi Annin Glos

I am in Sydney Aust and we have been having between 23 and 30 every day cool of a night. We did have a few days heavy rain but seems to have gone now.

Cheers

Aah, that is quite a large drop, and which part of UK will you be staying in?

Susan-nz....you'll enjoy the scenery and meeting family and friends so much you won't notice the weather:))

jude

Anninglos has the right idea- layers!

T shirts can be worn either as a vest, or if warm enough, by themselves. Tights or leggings and socks under jeans can be another layer to keep your legs warm. Tights are cheap ito pick up in the UK as long as you are a standard size.

Rather than an anorak, you could consider a decent fleece if you have one (thinner but warm) and a decent quality waterproof jacket/cagoule which folds up small or can be tied around the waist. it should be big enough to go over your layers and will act as a protection from winds as well as any rain.

As a rule of thumb, London is by several degrees warmer than the rest of the country, and stores/indoor tourist attractions are warm enough for employees not to wear a coat. If you are dressed for the arctic, you will swelter! The further north you travel, the cooler it will be.

The East of England is drier than the west, which depending on your plans could effect your clothing decisions.

Long range weather forecasting is an educated guess and what happens is another matter entirely. Despite your concerns, you will acclimatise. Honest!

I can't find where it says it will be the coldest May for 100 years but I can see that it says the first 2 weeks of May will continue cold. I don't think you will freeze anyway although you were always going to find it cooler than you are used to. We don't often get really hot weather in May, not continually anyway. Yes a fleece and a raincoat of some sort would be useful.

You have to dig around for it Anninglos. :-0

http://goo.gl/nZpQn

The online papers are re-hashing a prediction by WeatherAction which apparently is a subscription site.

Thanks for that, what it doesn't mention when saying about snow and ice that this probably up in the far north of Scotland or on top of snowdon. It probably means it will be 10/11 degrees instead of 14 degrees. But how much do we believe the weather forecasts these days?

And I believe they have already lifted the severe weather warnings.

Susan and Ingrid,

Invest in a set of thermals.

London is generally warmer than the rest of the country, the further south you go, the warmer is becomes.

:-D :-D