doucruise_2

My mother and I are cruising from Barcelona on January 22 to the Canary Islands, then, again on January 31 to Italy. I am nervous about what to pack because this is my first time to Europe and it appears that it will be cool during that time. My question...What IS the weather like and how should one pack for 3 weeks??? I'll take ANY suggestions about the trip if anyone has been or is familiar! Thanks!
Our itinerary:
Barcelona 1/22
Funchal, Madeira Portugal 1/25
Santa Cruz, Canary Islands 1/26
Arrecife, Canary Islands 1/27
Malaga, Spain 1/29
Casablanca, Morocco 2/2
Rome, Italy 2/9
Genoa, Italy 2/10
Thanks so much for ANY help!!!
Charity

J62

Yes, it is winter in Europe. Rome is about the same distance north of the equator as NYC, but temperatures are milder.

Here's a great website to check weather info.

www.weather.com

You can see historical averages for each of these cities. Average low temp for Rome in early Feb is about 36F, or just above freezing. You will definitely need to pack warm clothing.

lincasanova

Layers. It will be cold at night no matter how nice and sunny and sidewalk café bearable it is during the day. We are having very nice weather TODAY.. who knows in a few weeks.

greg

Do you know you can use online weather forecasts for this type of need? Even someone having first hand experience in 1/22/2011 cannot accurately predict the 1/22/2012 Barcelona weather.

I would look up monthly view of each city, create a browser bookmark folder, put all the bookmarks. If you are using Firefox browser you can use "Open ALL in Tabs" option to open all the weather forecasts in one click.

For example if you use www.weather.com, first two cities would be:

http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/SPXX0015
http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/POXX0014

etc.

You get the general idea of the temperature as well as hourly variations now. Use last minutes hour trend to get final adjustment just before the trip. Just as any other any other weather forecast, you will see differences in daily forecasts as you approach your departure day.

fmpden

It will be cool if not cold and damp. It is winter, what do you expect. Rome is above the 40th parallel which makes it closer to Boston. Days will be short, sun light weak, and probably rain and light snow depending on how cold it gets. Not the ideal time to go cruising but better than staying home.

I would pack good rain gear, waterproof shoes, wool socks, long underwear and a mix of long sleeve shirts, a medium weight sweater, hat, gloves. The best way to handle these types of unpredictable range of weathers is light layers of clothing that can be added or deleted as the temperature indicates. Resist the temptation to bring bulking sweaters and jackets. We find that take few clothes in cold weather travel than in the summer because you do not get as sweaty as summer and have the need to change more frequently.

JBX

A couple other sites ........

http://www.wunderground.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/
(Note ..... when checking weather on BBC site, temps posted in centigrade.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Actually where I really like to look when researching the weather of location I've never been is "You Tube" .....

http://www.youtube.com
.... search for something like Barcelona and January to find a video shot at that time, and notice how people are dressed. Then do same for Canary Islands, Rome, etc...

fmpden

PS -- Meant to add that averages mean little. As my high school math teaching cousin says, "You have to live the extreme to have an average." An average temp of 36 in Rome simply means that it could be 20 or 52 with about the same probability. While you can use that as an indicator, don't assume it will be about freezing most of the time.

daveesl

All I can give you is the recent past winter. In mid-February 2011 it snowed in Rome, it was sunny in Rome, it rained in Rome, it was 50+ degrees (F) in Rome, it was 30 degrees (F) in Rome. Sorry, but that is the way it is and we never let the weather dictate our travel plans. We'll be in Rome and Paris in February again this year.

dave

suze

It's winter and you will need warm clothes. The trick about packing for 3 weeks is don't look at it that way. Pack for 4 days max. and repeat the clothes over and over. "Layers" as several have mentioned in the way to go. Remember to take at least 2 pair of comfortable shoes or boots.

daveesl

I agree completely with Suze on the packing thing.

dave

nytraveler

You will have a variety of climates - the Canaries can be quite mild in winter - and southern Spain and Italy can well be in the 50's. But in the mountains of both (even southern Spain) there is skiing - and as mentioned above it is possible (not likely but perfectly possible) to get snow in Rome. You need to pack multiple different weight layers for spring and winter weather - and definitely waterproofed walking shoes and a sturdy folding umbrella.

Also, since you are off season - be aware that some sight will have much shorter opening hours than during the summer - in Italy somme places may be open only from 10 am to 1 or 2 in the afternoon,

kimhe

The end of Jan/beg of Feb in Málaga based on past 15 years statistics: Daily highs 59-64F, lows 43-52F. Average 6 hours sun pr day and two days with rainfall pr. week.

Arrecife late Jan: Highs 66-72F, lows 55-61. Average 5 hours sun pr day and 2 days with rainfall/week.

Barcelona late Jan: Highs 52-61F, lows 37-48F. Average 5 hours sun pr day and 1 day with rainfall/week.

wetteronline.de

doucruise_2

I cannot express how much I appreciate all the response! I particularly like the packing tips! I'll definately pack for 1 week then repeat the wardrobe!!! THANKS and keep it coming!

doucruise_2

Sounds like similar weather to home(Tennessee, USA)! Almost 60F and sunny here today...supposed to be in the 20's next couple of days!!!

daveesl

Be aware that the Med and Atlantic can get pretty rough in the winter months, so bring along some bonine or ginger if that affects you.

dave