I'm always amazed at people who seem to regard rain as some sort of natural disaster.

If you spend 2 weeks anyplace in europe you will most likely have rain - just the same as in the US (unless you live in a desert).

Why is this such a surprise/concern?

Good point. We've been through this a hundred times or more.

The consensus seems to be not to ask about what the weather is like at X time of the year, and I agree that is impossible. But, if the question was rephrased and asked "what kind of weather have you experienced in ____? I think that would be more sensible. It won't give you the exact weather, but it could give you a better idea of the range of possibilities.
But, for instance, if I asked someone in Amsterdam what the weather was like just a few days before I leave for Amsterdam,that would be helpful, even knowing it can change quickly. For me, the secret is to know the range of possibilities and take layers that will keep me comfortable no matter what. As for rain, one should always be prepared for rain, it isn't the end of the world, but it does make taking photographs more difficult. Nothing to do about it, though.

Well, I'm bound for moving on. I'll look for you if I'm ever back this way.

<i>just the same as in the US (unless you live in a desert)</i>

Or anylace else in California, anytime between May and October.

There is something to be said for socialworker's point of view. For example, I grew up in Reno. While the statistics will say that it's in the 90s in the summer, for example, there's a couple points a native would add: (1) It's dry heat, so it won't feel as hot as that, and (2) a big wind comes up every afternoon around 2pm and usually cools things off to a reasonable temperature.

On the other hand, I'm generally annoyed by questions such as &quot;What will the weather be like in Paris on February 5, 2010?&quot; If anyone actually knew the answer to that question, s/he could make a fortune!

As a Paris local, I can say that we have had a miserable and cold August for the past <b>three</b> summers (which makes me laugh when I think of how many people scoured the websites looking for air conditioned accommodations). Yet if anybody asks me &quot;what it the weather like in Paris in August?&quot; I will still reply &quot;it is normally pretty warm and sunny&quot; -- which puts us right back at the statistical norms.

What use are weather statistics? I'll never understand why people believe in them. If one day's temperature is 35°C and another's 12°C - which is about the range you may encounter in August in Central Europe - statistics will tell you an average temperature of 23.5°C. Dressing for 23.5°C will not be appropriate for either of the two extremes.

Pray to St Peter - he is in charge of the weather.

Prepare for all options, pack clothes that can be combined and worn in layers. That's how Central European locals pack when they travel their own country. Trust us, there is no better answer to this question.

Not weather, but I'm always bemused by &quot;How long should we stay in Paris/London etc.&quot;
How can you answer that?
I've been visiting London for years and still find something new.

quokka wrote: &quot;What use are weather statistics? I'll never understand why people believe in them.&quot;

Herself and I are going to Paris in the near future. I have no intention of asking here what the weather is like in Paris in late October, as I know that I would not get a better answer than I can get by looking up weather data (http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/c...ml?tt=TT003570 )and -- here's the special trick that quokka seems to have overlooked -- reading it with brain engaged. As an extra measure, close to the time of departure, I will look up a 10-day or 5-day forecast for Paris: I know its reliability is limited, but it is a small improvement on blind guesswork.

I suspect that kerouac will not claim to be able to give me a better steer than that.

Sorry Padraig. I live in central Europe. Every year is different. The average figures in weather statistics are that far from my daily experiences that I do find them useless. Statistics showing the range of possible extremes would be of more use.

quokka, did you check the link I gave? It gives more than a daily average temperature; it shows the record highs and lows. That gives me a basis for making reasonable provision: I'll be able to decide whether or not to pack my woolly hat.

I think that some people cannot understand or accept that the weather is beyond their control, and that is does follow neither rules nor their vacation schedules.
Since western Europe's climate is maritime and volatile, statistics are worth zero to nothing when trying for foresee if you will get rain during your three days in Paris or Amsterdam.

And if you need statistics to understand that winter will be cooler to freezing cold, rainier, and darker than summer you probably live in an area where I would rather live than here :-)

Well, now that you've solved this &quot;problem&quot; and this solution is going to last about three minutes, why not take on the dress code issue, too LOL

We just returned from a road trip to Northern New Hampshire and Vermont. We often go the first weekend of October. This year, temps were in the 50's during the day, with showers and rain mixed with sunny skies over the four days. Last time, there was a spell of Indian Summer and temps were in the 70's and 80's with no rain. Time before that, temps were in the 30's with gray skies and snow flurries.

Just before leaving home, I checked the forecast at www.weather.com and www.accuweather.com and they were quite accurate.

The one statistic I find of no use on climate information sites is average temperature. I want to know the average highs and lows, not the average temperature. Who cares if the average temperature was 61. The high could have been 66 and the low 56. Or the high 81 and the low 41.

One of my pet peeves off my chest! That's another lovely use of forums for aging curmudgeons.

Mimar---before we spent our 3 mos in LA last year, I researched on weather.com and they did provide the average highs and lows for each day of the month---not the average temp.

Here is an example for my area of Boston from the table using today's date. Shows, sunrise/set, average high, average low, record high and record low. As I said, it provides an entire month day by day. What it does not show is precipitation, as that would probably not be possible to break down on a day by day basis. Hope that helps you.

Oct. 6 6:48 AM 6:17 PM 64°F 46°F 55°F 83°F (2007) 26°F (1965)

BTW, the info is not immediately obvious on the home page. You must click Records &amp; Averages, and then when that page opens you must click again on Daily Records and Averages at weather.com. They do not make it easy! :) I have to admit, that I found the source by perseverance combined with luck.

I also don't understand the weather questions. Are they going to cancel their trip because of bad weather? They really can't figure out what to do in a major European city in the rain?

You see this same phenomena on Mexico forums, where people insist on going in the summertime which is the rainy season (this is no secret!) then are bummed out they can't work on their tans!

I never understand that question either. Who cares what the weather is? You can't control it on vacation any more than you can at home! Do you stay in bed if it rains at home? No, so just go on vacation and carry an umbrella -it's no big deal.

I perceive most weather questions as really packing questions.