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Weather in November in Europe

We will be visiting the following places this Nov.Eng. France, Swiss, Germany, Italy, Holland and Venice We are at a loss as to what kinds of clothes we will need. The tour company only allows 1 piec of luggage per person. Please help. Barbara

Posted by
15 posts

Please visit weatherbase.com. It provides historical averages, highs, lows, etc for cities around the world.

Also wunderground.com should have more detailed historical data if you are so interested.

Posted by
582 posts

I travel every November to Europe.
In Germany (Berlin) it was very cold and rainy.
Rome in November 2005 was as hot as Texas!!
So far, these are the only places you listed that I've been to in November. But, I look forward to reading other answers to your question because I'll also be in Venice and Swiss in November! However, in one of Rick Steves older books on Italy, he said November in Venice is flood season!! I hope we'll get lucky!
Please do take warm enough clothes. I didn't bring warm enough clothes last time, so I will this November!
Have a wonderful trip!!!

Posted by
864 posts

I took our oldest son (adult) to London (where it snowed in April), Paris (cold rain) then I traveled on to Greece for a Rick Steve's tour (very warm). I did it with one carry on size bag. The trick is a waterproof lightweight butt covering jacket with hood, a warm hat (you loose most of your body heat via your head, a light pair of gloves, 4 tee-shirts, long sleve shirts (two), LIGHTWEIGHT fleece jacket (one), one pair slip-on shoes and one pair waterproof day hikers (or the like). By layering I was never cold/hot. Wear the jackets on the plane. You'll also need a good umbrella.

Posted by
1717 posts

And bring one warm wool sweater (crew neck). I think one jacket (water resistant material, such as micro fiber) is sufficient. A traveler could bring long underwear, made of silk is good because it is not bulky : it does not occupy much space in a travel bag.

Posted by
1717 posts

... I do not ever bring a big coat in an airplane. If I will be at a place that has cold weather (air temperature lower than 33 degrees F) I put an insulated vest, filled with goose down, in my suitcase (medium size, 25 inch length). I wear a wool sweater in airplanes, and carry a lightweight jacket (microfiber, or cotton canvass with lining) into the airplane.

Posted by
12172 posts

Expect mostly cold weather including wind, rain and snow at different times during your trip. If you get some reasonable weather, think of it as a pleasant surprise.

Dress in layers. Rather than bring several heavy sweaters or coats, bring light sweaters that can be layered and a waterproof/windproof shell with a hood to keep you dry.

A full-zip fleece works well as a warm layer under your shell or as an outer layer when it's only cool outside.

Carry a daypack that you can shed layers into when it warms up or pull layers out of when it cools down.

This is what I pack, it's designed for travel in the shoulder seasons (April/May and Sept/Oct.). I adjust a little depending on where and when I'm going (September in Rome is warmer than October in Germany) but always keep the basic idea of layering.

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=1440268

Posted by
506 posts

Typically November is the month when the Parisians wonder why this is not the month we take three weeks off and go to somewhere sunny.

The more north you are - the less sun is obvious in November with sunset between 16h and 17h - sunrise around 8h.

Rain, wet and cold can be expected. Layers - wool recommended - rain gear a must.

Posted by
445 posts

I mostly travel to Europe in the colder months and love it. You get a true feeling of what a place is like w/o the zillions of tourists.(there will alwayas be some tourists...just not as noticeable).

My one indispensible item is a microfibre raincoat with both a hood and zip-out liner. I just saw these on sale in the Travelsmith catalog today. They
are very lightweight but will keep you both warm and dry. By covering a lot of your body, you avoid
wet trousers,etc. An umbrella is a must...one of those very lightweight small ones that are not hard to find. Gloves and a hat..preferably a packable, squishy kind.= are indispensible. Yes you can buy things to weara in Europe but I generally find them much more expensive than in North America. Tights for women and trouser socks are also must-haves.

Because you are wearing a coat, you need few changes of clothes for wearing underneath. I take 2 pr. of wool pants, a very light-weight packable skirt (lke silk), a varierty of tops including cotton turtlenecks, one woolen sweater and may be a dressier lightweight top. I always bring silk long underwear but have rarely worn the bottoms, but the top is essential...very lightweight,a very thin layer that gives you non-bulky warmth and coziness.
My silk underwear and silk can fit into my handbag ... that's how thin they are.

By the way, you can usually check your coat at most museums which is a great convenience, particularly if it's wet! In general, I find most hotels too warm
but that might not be the case in country places. One of the greatest discomfort factors in winter is the dampness. London is usually much warmer than the Eatern and Central parts of the USA/Canada but you will feel chilly due to the pervading dampness. This is also true in Paris.

But bravo Europe in winter...it is Europeans at home.
I love it!!