wnappier

We have a trip to Germany planed for May 15-30. We are going from Frankfurt down the romantic road to Fussen then over to Lake Constance. I have been watching the weather reports and it looks like the areas we are headed to have been getting rain every day and it is forcast to continue.

My questions:
1. What's up with the rain?
2. What is there to do on rain days on the romantic road?
3. Should we change plans and go up the Mosel to Trier, (it seams they are getting less rain)

Thanks for your suggestions.

Gary_Mc

Germany can have spells of rain anytime of year. Take a rain jacket or an umbrella do what you normally would. We visited the Rhein & Mosel valleys in May last year. We had a mix of sun and rain almost every day.

St. Goar for example.

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Germany...42406164_fZinP

Regards, Gary

LSky

There is really only two things you can do; prepare for it and enjoy it. That's why Germany is so green. If you change you're plans, it may rain there.

quokka

Reliable weather forecasts can be done for 3-4 days in advance. General trends can be predicted for a week or mayyyyyybe 10 days in advance. Any weather forecast for more than 10 days ahead is pure guesswork in these parts of the world, so forget about any long-term forecasts you read now. They are worthless, no matter how convincing they sound - trust a local.

Prepare for all options, pack clothes that can be combined and worn in layers if necessary, and don't forget your rain gear. And hope the best. That's all you can do.

VolCrew

Carry Gore-Tex and enjoy your trip.

quokka

Yup. There is no bad weather, there is only wrong clothing.

pja1

Hi,

Last Sept. we checked the weather report 2 days before leaving for where we were going in Germany and Austria. Rain was predicted for just about every single day. We resisted changing our plans. We had one day of rain (our arrival day). I would never change my travel plans based on the weather report. Highly inaccurate science. Bring an umbrella, bring appropriate clothing (just in case) and enjoy your trip.

Paul

quokka

If rain really puts you off you can never visit Germany, or anywhere in Europe North of the Alps. Rainy season is all year round. However, "rain" does not necessarily mean rain all day long. We have such days (last Thursday was one, for example) but they are rare. Usually it's a series of shorter showers with dry intervals in between, or rain in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon or vice versa - you get the picture. The weather changes.

Echnaton

Forget the weather forecast. As said, any forecast that exceeds three days is completely useless. And that the Mosel region should get less rain than Bavaria is complete nonsense.

Sometimes the weather forecast from one day to the second is completely wrong: Yesterday the forecast for today was cool and cloudy. We cancelled our barbecue that was planned for tonight. Now, I am looking out of the window and it is warm and sunny.

But one rule applies: Whereever and whenever you go to western Europe, take a waterproof jacket and an umbrella with you.

What you can do on a rainy day:

First, with proper raingear you can walk through the towns and enjoy them. When it rains, it is either a drizzle which is not that bad or it is a shower which does not last long. While in town, you can easily go inside a building to seek some shelter. A hot chocolate will warm you up.

Second, in most towns you find museums and churches which can be visited regardless of the weather.