While those of you in the US prepare to celebrate the unofficial start of summer this weekend (Memorial Day), here in Western Europe, we are experiencing the "winter that would not end." Heat turned on, winter coats and gloves in the morning (and afternoons - yesterday it was only 45F at noon) in the Paris region. And it's not much better in Italy. Lows in the lower 40s and a high of only 60 today in Florence. http://www.thejournal.ie/bad-weather-in-western-europe-likely-to-continue-into-june-924271-May2013/ French meteorologists are predicting the cold weather stays through June. Everytime I read someone responding to a question and saying that "It can get really hot in Paris in July" I'm on the verge of maniacal laughter (the lack of sunlight over the past 8 months has done a number on everyone's mental states). So if you're planning a trip to Europe soon, be sure to pack your winter gear! Because who knows if there will ever be summer weather this year.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
It snowed yesterday in Belgium, although it didn't stick. Actually, I'll take this weather over sweltering hot temperatures any day. At least, I can always put on more clothes to stay warm. You can only take so much clothes off when it gets too hot...
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5452 posts
The jet stream could buckle suddenly and change everything. Who knows - but the trend for parts of Europe over the past 12 months has been decidedly cool - for example in England the monthly temperature has only been above average once in the last twelve (August 2012).
Posted by
Phila, Pa USA
144 posts
Dina - if it makes you feel any better, Mother Nature is teasing us on this side of the Atlantic, as well. Here in the Philadelphia area it is only in the low 40's. I slept under two covers last night and I'm still chilly! Further north, in upstate Pennsylvania, they are under freeze warnings. The annoying thing here is that it was nearly 90 only a few days ago, and is supposed to be back up to the mid 80's in the next few days. Try dressing comfortably when the temps change like this !
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10606 posts
Yeh, it's particularly bad this year. Northern France is always iffy, but this year gets the prize. Stay warm. It's not as cold for the Indy 500 as it is in Pennsylvania and Paris, but we're back in wool sweaters now too (kind of like Burgundy the past two summers).
Posted by
OP
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
Bets - your comment about sweaters struck a chord with me. My sister (who lives in Texas) gave me a sweater for Christmas 2012. It was a nice sweater, and I looked at it and said, "That will be perfect for this summer!" and I wasn't making a joke. Even my teenager talks about her summer sweaters and her winter sweaters. The weather is not helping the economy. I've read that spending is way down, and they are attributing it to the cold weather. People are usually eating outdoors by this time of year, and it's not been warm enough to do that. The weather isn't motivating people to go out and buy new clothes either. Although today I had to go out and buy more pants for my daughter. She's outgrown or ripped all hers, and it's still too cold for shorts, dresses and capris!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I'm watching one of the Alpine stages of the Giro d'Italia right now. If the asphalt wasn't plowed and salted, you could easily mistake the finish line for the end of a cross-country ski race. The snow is coming down heavily.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19268 posts
I looked at the website for the Eagles Nest in Berchtesgaden yesterday, and it was closed because of snow. Yikes!
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9202 posts
They had some snow in the Taunus mountains outside of Frankfurt last night. Have been wearing gloves every day and the heaters are all still on at home. Rain is scheduled for every day this week. The weather is a disaster for tourism, but also for the farmers. It is too cold for the bees, and many of the blossoms on the fruit trees were washed away by the rain before they could get pollinated. Sad situation. Many birds migrated to Europe and turned around and went back South. Yes, we want summer, badly.