Travel Weather
in Europe

The weather is basically the same as in the USA but they measure it differently.
Temperature is in centigrade, rainfall in centimeters, and windspeed in km/hr.

Appendix A of
HOW TO EUROPE
The Complete Travelers Handbook
Internet edition. By John Bermont.

A page from enjoy-europe.com
with photographer and author John Bermont.

Average temperatures for London, Vienna, Atlanta, Chicago.

The weather changes by the minute and is often different on opposite sides of the house. Nevertheless, here are some comparison data from two American, Atlanta and Chicago, and two European cities, London and Vienna, so you have some idea of what to expect. Precipitation is not included here. For information on scores of other cities go to my source for this data at WorldClimate.com.

GENERAL ORIENTATION

Influence of the Atlantic Ocean

The warm Gulf Stream, starting out south of Florida, passes all the way up the west coast of Europe. The Gulf Stream moderates temperatures throughout Europe. Norwegian harbors hundreds of miles north of the Arctic Circle rarely freeze. But cold winds sweep down from the Arctic and clash with the vapor above this warm water creating an almost constant drizzle over much of northern and central Europe. The result is generally cooler, wetter, and more changeable weather than in America during the summer, but the winters are not nearly as harsh.

For example, London, about 800 miles further north than Chicago, has average January temperatures about 20 degrees warmer and it seldom freezes. Chicago can be subfreezing for weeks on end, and intermittently for six months. The situation is reversed in July when temperatures in Chicago are about 8 degrees warmer than in London.

As you go east and get deeper into Europe, you get away from the influences of the ocean and the weather becomes more extreme in summer and winter. Notice how the temperature in Vienna is about 10 degrees colder than London in January but a few degrees warmer in July.

Influence of the Mountain Ranges

Going south, the major mountain ranges block the north winds giving the Mediterranean areas hot summers and mild winters. The Alps run from eastern France through northern Italy, all of Switzerland, and into northern Austria. The Pyrenees define the border between France and Spain.

Dressing for the Weather

Travelers "doing all of Europe" will meet all kinds of weather. Dress in layers to be ready for everything. See chapter 5 of How To Europe, What to Wear in Europe: Travel Clothes for all Occasions, for the practicalities of your travel wardrobe.

CONVERT THAT

The Temperatures

Europe uses the Centigrade temperature scale. It is also called the Celsius temperature scale after Anders Celsius, the Swedish astronomer who invented it.
Temperature conversion benchmarks:

°C	-20	-15	-10	-5	0	5	10	15	20	25	30	35	40
^oF	-4	5	14	23	32	41	50	59	68	77	86	95	104

Notice that for every 5°C change there is a 9°F change. To make exact conversions use the following formulas:

°C= (^oF - 32)*(5/9)	Subtract 32 from Fahrenheit and multiply by 5/9 to get Centigrade.
^oF = (°C*9/5) + 32	Multiply Centigrade by 9/5 and then add 32 to get Fahrenheit.

The Rains

Rainfall is measured in centimeters, cm. One inch equals 2.54 cm. So if you have 10 cm of rain you have about 4". That would be a lot of rain for one day.

The Winds

Wind speed is measured in kilometers per hour, km/hr. One mile equals 1.62 kilometers. If you have a real blow at 100 km/hr that would be about 62 mph.

EXTRA HELP

More Metric

For a complete explanation of the metric system see chapter 27, The Metric System in Europe: Traveling with Grams, Meters, Liters, and Celsius .

Quality Weather Links

Current weather conditions and forecasts are available from a large number of web sites. Links to several of them are given here.
- Michelin Weather
- Wunderground
- USA Today
- World Climate

NOTE TO READERS

I welcome questions and comments. If you have any concerns about your trip to Europe that have not been covered well enough in this chapter do not hesitate to write and ask.

My email address is johnbermont@enjoy-europe.com.

When you write please include as much detail as possible. There are about 50 countries in Europe. It will help me answer if you mention the countries and/or cities you plan to visit. I will reply in a day or two.

Don't forget to scroll through the Table of Contents below. All 30 chapters of HOW TO EUROPE are also available, free to read on line.

For a check-off punchlist of everything go to The Finale, Packing List and Last Call: For Travel In Europe.

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This is a great book to have if you are living in Europe. It has plenty of historical data for major cities. The maps and explanations will make you a meteorologist in short order.

Fair Weather Travel in Western Europe, by Edward Powers

It rains. Be prepared.

Totes Titanium Auto-Open/Close Umbrella

Weather protection is essential. This is a great lightweight water repellent windbreaker.
Devon Jones Pink Women's Signature Colorblock Jacket

Devon Jones Pink Women's Signature Colorblock Jacket

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Look sharp and be comfortable.

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Note: Italicized notations by the author.

Who wrote this?

Home and general index.

Table of Contents

HOW TO EUROPE
The Complete Travelers Handbook

All of the text, updated to May 2013, is available on line, FREE. Updated photographs with captions are available on line for those chapters as noted "with illustrations."
The entire book, copyright 2003, can be purchased by clicking Amazon.com.

Chapter 1, with illustrations.
What's It All About?
Travel Like a Native In Europe First home in Holland on the Spaarne River in Haarlem. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/01-0117.jpg

First home in Holland on the Spaarne River in Haarlem. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/01-0117.jpg

Chapter 2
On Budget in Europe
Travel Costs

Chapter 3
Passport and Visas
Essential Identity and Travel Documents

Chapter 4
Flying to Europe
Travel Starts at the Airport

Chapter 5, with illustrations.
What to Wear in Europe
Travel Clothes for all Occasions Stephanie in Paris. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/05-1895.jpg

Stephanie in Paris. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/05-1895.jpg

Chapter 6
Your Packing List for Europe
A Short List for Travelers

Chapter 7
Luggage for Europe
Let It Roll

Chapter 8
Cash, ATMs, Credit Cards
Travel Money in Europe

Chapter 9
Your Travel Diary of Europe
Notes Supplement Your Photos

Chapter 10
Europe Guide Books and Maps
Tomes for Travel

Chapter 11
Electricity in Europe
Travel Voltage Fundamentals

Chapter 12, with illustrations.
Photography in Europe
Travel with Your Camera The Austrian Alps from Hall-In-Tyrol, just east of Innsbruck. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/12-1204.jpg

The Austrian Alps from Hall-In-Tyrol, just east of Innsbruck. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/12-1204.jpg

Chapter 13
Bring a Smile
Travel Europe in Good Attitude

Chapter 14
Hotels, Hostels, B&Bs, Private Homes
Sleep Options for Travel in Europe

Chapter 15
Good Eating In Europe
Travel on Your Belly

Chapter 16
City Transport in Europe
Bus, Tram, Metro, Taxi, Bike, Boat, Shoe

Chapter 17, part 1, with illustrations.
Trains in Europe
A Primer for Riding the Rails An ICE high speed train parked at Amsterdam's Centraal Station. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/171-P1230436f.jpg

An ICE high speed train parked at Amsterdam's Centraal Station. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/171-P1230436f.jpg

Chapter 17, part 2, with illustrations.
European Rail Stations
Finding Your Way Around The train departure board at Brussels' Zuid/Midi train station. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/172-p1020015.jpg

The train departure board at Brussels' Zuid/Midi train station. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/172-p1020015.jpg

Chapter 17, part 3, with illustrations.
Europe's Night Trains
City to City As You Sleep

Chapter 17, part 4, with illustrations.
Europe's Bus and Ship Services
Road or Ferry

Chapter 18, with illustrations.
Driving in Europe
Car, Van, or Motorcycle The Champs Elysees in Paris France. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/18-0440.jpg

The Champs Elysees in Paris France. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/18-0440.jpg

Chapter 19, part 1
Telephoning to, from, and within Europe
City Codes, 10-10, cell phones, PTT

Chapter 19, part 2
Sending Snail Mail to & from Europe
Priority Mail, PTT, Poste Restante

Chapter 19, part 3
Internet and Email in Europe
Cyber Cafes, Keyboards, Your Laptop

Chapter 19, part 4
Telegrams
Wiring Cash and Keeping in Touch

Chapter 20
Health and Safety in Europe
Travel in Confidence but with Caution

Chapter 21
Working in Europe
Get Paid to Travel

Chapter 22, part 1
Moving to Europe
Things to Know Before You Go

Chapter 22, part 2
Living in Europe
Travel to the Max as an Expatriate

Chapter 23, with illustrations.
Shopping in Europe
Stuff You Can't Live Without The duty free chocolate shop at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/23-P1250471.jpg

The duty free chocolate shop at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/23-P1250471.jpg

Chapter 24
Shipping Your Treasures Home
Travelers' Options from Europe

Chapter 25
Passing Customs in Europe
Know the Rules When Crossing Borders

Chapter 26
Languages, Numbers, Alphabets
Encounter The Tower of Babel in Europe Sign: Please do not walk on the grass. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/DSC0649-PleaseDoNot

Sign: Please do not walk on the grass. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/DSC0649-PleaseDoNot

Chapter 27
Metric System in Europe
Grams, Meters, Liters, Celsius

Chapter 28
Time and Dates in Europe
Travel in a Different Time Zone

Chapter 29
Weather in Europe
Travel with Your Umbrella

Chapter 30
Melding with Europe
Travel Is Interesting and Entertaining

The Finale
Packing List and Last Call
For Travel In Europe Stephanie is ready to kick off at the airport. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/StephanieAtAirport.jpg

Stephanie is ready to kick off at the airport. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/StephanieAtAirport.jpg

Time for High Flight.

Get going!

Learn the basic infrastructure: Prime Travel Data Elementary Travel Information for Europe
	Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Finland	France Germany Greece Ireland Italy	Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Portugal Slovakia	Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom

Utilize John Bermont's exclusive: TRAVELERS YELLOW PAGES A Directory of Links to Products, Services, and Information
	Airlines to Europe National Tourist Offices City Tourist Offices City Information and Tours Country Information and Tours Luggage and Backpacks Discount Air Travel	Villas and Homes for Rent Hostels in Europe Hotels in Europe Auto Rental in Europe Rail Services of Europe Eclectic Travel Sites Internet Search Engines	Photography Guide Books for Europe Educational Programs Newsletters from Europe Personal Travel Pages Personal Trip Planning

Get open hours, costs, locations, and more: Travelers Portfolio Essential Visitors Information for the Top Sights of Europe
	Amsterdam Anne Frank Huis Rijksmuseum Van Gogh Museum	London British Museum Buckingham Palace National Gallery Natural History Museum Palace of Westminster St. Paul's Cathedral Tower of London Westminster Abbey	Paris coming soon Arc de Triomphe Tour Eiffel Hôtel des Invalides Musée de l'Armée Opera Montmarte Cathédrale Notre Dame Musée d'Orsay Musée du Louvre

Exchange rates, weather, maps: Up-To-The-Minute Be informed before you go.
	Money Exchange Currency exchange rates, including the euro, British pound, Swiss Frank.	Weather in Europe Current European weather conditions and forecasts. Good luck.
	Maps and Time Zones Free online maps of Europe. Guide to setting your watch ahead.	German Wine Labels Translate the labels. Taste and spit. Rieslings, Piesporter, Ice Wine.

Captioned photos from Europe

PhotoLog
Pictures of what we do in Europe.

Queen's Day Queen's Day boats in a canal in Amsterdam, Holland. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/Starting-s.jpg

Holland hosts a great one-day party, annually on April 30. Here is the action in Haarlem and Amsterdam.

Keukenhof

A beautiful huge tulip garden blooms during middle spring. We made a leisurely bike ride from Haarlem.

Bull Flight
A small bull chases Stephanie in Spain. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/BullFlight-s.jpg

My daughter Stephanie enters the ring and encounters a baby bull in Spain, then flies for her life!

O hey Europe Stephanie's photo blog of a month in Paris. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/NotreDame-dscn0499-s.jpg

Stephanie's Paris Blog. She's 22 and spends a month in THE city with a weekend beach sortie to La Baule.

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FLAGS of EUROPE

Austria	Belgium	Czech Republic	Denmark	Estonia
Finland	France	Germany	Greece	Hungary
Iceland	Ireland	Italy	Latvia	Lithuania
Luxembourg	Monaco	Netherlands	Norway	Poland
Romania	Russia	Sweden	Switzerland	Turkey
Ukraine