Hi, I was saddened to see that there is a 40-70% chance of rain due to a tropical storm passing through Northern Italy. We're praying it clears by Wednesday night. But the wunderground forecast doesn't look promising...any tips on how to cope as best we can?

We are a young couple traveling with a three year old. We are staying three weeks...mostly in Bologna for a law program at the University. But our first three nights are in the Lake Como area. I had planned on bringing mostly warm weather clothes. How should I change our packing list?

Umbrellas
Rain Jackets
Jeans -- one pair enough or will we be soaked?

Is Italy's weather like Hawaii, where it rains but the sun is out so it's still warm enough to be in shorts? Or more like California, where it rains rarely but when it does you need to bundle?

Thanks!

I'm going to Verona and Venice on Thurs.-Sunday. Looks like showers with warmer temperatures. I feel your pain.

I'm wondering if I should bring rubber boots for Venice.

By the way, I like this weather for Verona and Venice the best because the weather looks most promising.

http://meteo.repubblica.it/sintesi_l...hp?id_loc=7765

When I am up in Milan or even in Rome, I wear a nylon type rain jacket or even microfiber with an umbrella. If its chilly, wear a sweater underneath the coat. There have been times when it is pouring buckets and then you look at the sky in the distance and its sunny.Just pack a purse or backpack with the umbrella,foldable jacket and light sweater and you will be good to go!

First - you never go to europe without a sturdy folding umbrella and waterproof walking shoes. (I have been more than 70 times and only one trip - to Southern Spain - had no rain.)

Second - jeans are awful in the rain - they soak up water, never dry and are very uncomfortable. Lighter weight pants are better. If you're going to northern Italy now you're not likely to need shorts that much.

The weather in Italy is neither like Hawaii or CA - its more like Virginia or DC - except for the mountains in the north naturally - which are colder.

Hi lawmom, I just got off the phone with an Italian friend who lives in Florence. He said that it has been raining and it looks like there will be some more days of rain. He said it is not really cold however, just wet. So do bring a waterproof outcovering and a travel umbrella. If you have or can buy a rain type outwear that will fit over a sweater that would be good. And remember, being in Italy when it rains is so much better then not being in Italy! And personally I have not ever had a trip to Italy when there wasn't some rain regardless of what time of the year it was when I have been there.

I just want to reiterate what another poster said: It's still May and in northern Italy, especially the lakes, this is still not time for shorts.

However, you're very lucky to be in Bologna if it rains, since many sidewalks are covered by porticos.

Thanks everyone...it did kind of rain on our parade. I just assumed it would be warm and sunny, especially since someone told me it was unusually warm in Bologna last month. We're skipping the jeans, but the extra layers are adding to our luggage. Oh well, as LoveItaly said, we will still be IN Italy. And I'm still praying for some sunshine.

(Un)fortunately, I've only been in Virginia and DC during the dead heat of summer so I don't have anything to compare it to. But we will soon find out what it's like...and hopefully we'll not only survive but enjoy it!

Thanks again for all of the advice, commiserating, and info. Especially helpful was the eye-opening post about how miserable wet jeans are. I'm so used to the sun I wasn't thinking about that.

Thanks!

I know people who spray waterproofing on their jeans in wet weather. The water does not seep in.