Hi all,
Wondering if any Northern Englanders can give me an idea of what I can expect on the weather front for my upcoming trip. Am landing Wednesday and weather is listed as 12-16 degrees Celsius with rain. As I'm coming from Chicago, my weather is similarly cold and rainy... but it's different when you'll be out in the elements for long stretches as I hope to be.

How's the weather been the past few days for you? I'm assuming there's some breaks in the rain. We've just been drenched here.

I'm thinking of wearing a fleece liner and waterproof windbreaker/shell, cotton hat, cotton scarf, hiking pants, waterproof hiking boots, wool hiking socks. I'm debating whether I should bring a thicker, winter parka... but is that overkill, do you think?

Many thanks in advance.

I can answer for North Yorkshire. Up to a couple of days ago we had a period of really settled weather for some days - chilly first thing in the morning and in the evenings but absolutely glorious during the day. Blue sky, sun all day and temps touching around 20. Hardly any wind, so sunbathing weather up here! The last couple of days have been more undettled - a fair amount of rain and temperatures mid teeens. As I type the sun is shining.
We are going away this Bank Holiday weekend. I've packed sunlotion and t shirts - and a warm fleece! It can be 4 seasons in a day here. If you are walking high on the hills you will need warmth, the wind can be bitter. I would be tempted to bring your parka if you can pack it easily.

hi chgo gal,

my advice to anyone travelling this time of year in the UK can be expressed in one word - LAYERS. I'd pack a jumper and a shirt rather than another jacket. so long as the top laer is wnd and waterproof that should be fine.

have a great trip.

regards, ann

PS - a "pakamac" that you can put in a rucksac and gloves would also be a good idea.

I live not far from the Peak District and can only repeat what has been said above. You need to be prepared for anything, as it can be very changeable. We have had some lovely spring weather over the last few weeks with temperatures up to late teens centigrade but this week we have had spells of rain. The sun is shining as we speak but rain is forecast later today. I tend not to believe any weather forecasts for more that a couple of days in advance, as it can soon change.

The countryside is looking wonderful at the moment, with everything looking fresh and green and spring flowers blooming. You shouldn't be too late to catch some bluebell woods which have been beautiful this year.

Have a lovely trip!

I walk a bit further south, so the risk of low temps is lower here.

But IMHO at this time of the year, the risk almost anywhere in England from May onwards if weather changes sharply is getting wet rather than the absolute temperature. I'd say a heavy parka is real overkill: for serious walking you need layers, a change of most things (like socks) that will inevitably get wet, and enough ponchos or whatever to cover you almost completely but be easily tucked away for the majority of your walking time when it won't be needed.

Above all, it needs to be light. Weather forecasts are close to useless here, especially at this time of the year (I get forecasts for an RAF weather station five miles away: they've been wrong only 12 hours beforehand for eight of the last ten days), so on a serious session you need to carry stuff for every eventuality.

Agree with Maria. I've never known the countryside look, smell and sound so good - and there's at least another week of bluebells.

It probably won't snow, it probably will be windy, it'll probably rain at some point,.

Other than that anything is likely up to but (probably) not including a plague of frogs

Thank you all for your marvelous feedback. I've been so swamped at work that I've had less time to plan and prepare for my trip than I'm used to doing - so I'm off to buy some clothes at lunch today on your recommendations. You've all made me feel so much beter and so much more excited for your beautiful countryside!

You may already know this - but just in case - translation: "jumper" = pullover sweater

I just type in BBC weather, add town. and look at the 5 day forecast. Takes less than a minute.

<<You may already know this - but just in case - translation: "jumper" = pullover sweater>>

lol, janisj - what else could it mean?

I still look twice when I see that ladies from the US are wearing "pants" to travel in. ?? [shades of Sharon stone without them!].

and rubbers? lets not go there! [it means eraser, in case you needed to know!]

regards, ann

annhig: Being sort of bi-lingual sure helps.

On our side of the Atlantic a jumper is generally a woman's sleeveless dress, usually worn w/ a blouse or turtleneck under it.

well, janisj, I never knew that.

the sort of thing that the flotus wears, without the blouse or turtlenek [jumper!] underneath it.

not to be confused with a jump suit presumably.

Yes - definitely not to be confused w/ a jumpsuit.

These are all examples of "jumpers" - but confusingly they included one jumpsuit in the list

http://www.nextag.com/jumper-dresses/products-html

http://www.modestapparelusa.com/jumpers.html - not terribly MO-esque, lots of Corduroy and denim -- though there are some slightly more stylish examples

meant to add - almost what'd be called a pinnafore/pinny in the UK

yes it could. but more likely a "pinafore dress". [note one n, not two].

under which we would normally wear [yes you've guessed it] a jumper.

an pinafore or "pinny" is a "front" only, with strings to tie around the waist at the back. can be cotton, or similar. it's worn over other clothes to keep them clean when you're cooking, cleannig, etc.

regards, ann

So -- US Jumper over a sweater = UK Pinafore dress over a jumper

(let's not get into pavement, subway, coach, squash, joint, homely or all the other words that have entirely different definitions in English and "American")

over which you can wear a pinny!

by george she's got it, I think she's got it.