How's London's weather in May?

Any idea what Gilroy weather will be like on those days?
And when is the Garlic Festival this year? No one can predict the weather so you've asked an impossible question. However, you could look at wunderground.com and check the almanac. Was there in May of last year. Sunshine for 3 days, rained all day the next, cold and grey the day after. Per usual, pack layers.

Isn't this the same as your other question? My crystal ball is cloudy and has sparks inside whenever I try to use it. Could be cold could be hot, could snow - I've seen it - could be wet or dry. I sure don't know. The website you condemn shows facts. Anybody forecasting from here is guessing...

Hi Emily, We can send a man to the moon but we still can't perfectly predict the weather - guess that's to keep us humble!! I'll be in London during the same time period and then on to Paris and Provence - and the key to packing for this kind of trip and weather is LAYERS! Here's what I am taking if it helps: 1 pair pants (wearing additional pair on plane) 1 pair cropped pants 1 pair dressier black pants 3 long sleeved T's and 3 short sleeved t's 2 cardigan sweaters (wearing 1 on plane) 1 blouse/ top (to go with black pants and nicer pair of packed jeans) that also goes with 1 of the cardigans 2 pairs walking shoes (one I'm wearing) - the second pair of walking shoes is nice enough for dressier pants packable, black rain jacket which is stylish enough to go with black pants for nighttime. 2 - 3 scarves underwear socks toiletries laundry kit phone/ipad/kindle DSLR camera and bag All except camera and ipad will go in 20 inch carryon. Have a small tote for the camera and ipad and yoga pants which I change into on the plane - much more comfy than wearing pants for 10 plus hours! Based upon the "predicted" weather if it's cool, I'll wear a long sleeved t, cardigan, scarf and rain jacket - if it's warmer, just a short sleeved t shirt and pants or if really warm, cropped pants- so unless we get a blizzard, I'm set! The "key" is to pick things that all go together - my wardrobe is mostly black/grey/white with 1 colored cardigan and colored scarves.
Good luck with your packing!

I'm a big fan of layers. Every time I go I take a pair of silk long johns that I get from Sierra Trading. they don't take up any room and they work well. You can probably achieve the same with tights. also, scarves add more warmth and everyone wears them. I'm going out on a limb and tell you to count on high 50's - mid-60's. If the weather swings drastically either way, find a Primark and pick up something cheap.

The current medium range weather forecast for the first 2 weeks in May is for changeable weather with temperatures at or below average. So it is likely to be layers, macs and umbrellas. Weather forecasts have been known to be wrong ....

Emily--I'm another fan of layers. I like long-sleeved shirts that can have the sleeves rolled up if it gets warm and light-weight cardigans to go over the shirts and under the rain jacket when it gets colder and wet. As another poster said, tights are a good substitute for long undies under your trousers if it's really chilly. Figure out how much you'll actually be outdoors as opposed to inside churches and museums, and if you'll be strolling or taking a long brisk walk (which will, of course, keep you warmer). Enjoy your trip!

in 2006, I was in London for 7 nights. It was around the end of May. It rained day in and day out all 7 days that I was there, cats and dogs style. I came back to my room with my pants soaked up to my knees on a daily basis. I went thru 4 umbrellas, they kept on breaking as the wind was constantly flipping them up. The only day I saw sunshine was the day I left. this did not stop me from having a great time. I had a wonderful time (well until I lost my brand new camera). But just an example of what can happen when you are in London in May.

We were in England several years ago in May - they had been having lots of rain and flooding. The day we arrived it stopped - 2 weeks later when we left, it started again. We were so lucky! We leave on May 8 this year for England, and we're definitely taking rain jackets, layers so we can be prepared for whatever happens.

To tag along on this thread, as I don't have a "rain jacket", which would be better: a rain poncho ( choice of 3 blue or navy, takes up very little room), a London Fog raincoat ( leave the zipout lining at home, have to carry on the plane) or a regular jacket , layered if necessary, with umbrella?
Will also be visiting Scandinavia but out during the days more than the nights.

I usually take a raincoat and wear it on the plane. Mine is black, so it looks nice in the evening.

It is cool/cold and grey here at the moment (south London) with rain on and off. The forecast for the next few days is much the same with average daytime temps of 57 - 61F. It seems like we have had rain every day since our drought water restrictions came into force on 6 April! Here is the Met Office forecast for the UK from 10 May. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/london I wear a rainproof hooded short coat with layers underneath and use an umbrella when needed.

Thanks Linda for your local report from London. It's sunny and warm here in California; hard to imagine rainy and grey days... We have hoody jackets and umbrella packed already though!

We visited in May and had great weather - and also got completely soaked because we left our raincoats at the hotel. Layers is the best advice. England is famous for having four seasons in one day. Even if it's nice, keep your raincoat handy because it can change quickly.

Ok a bit off topic. I have been to London 4 times. Once in March,, it was rainy and cold,, sleeting in fact. ( and yes, my umbrella broke too!) The other three visits have been in either July or August.
It rained on all of them, with a few sunny patches here and there. I think that no matter when you go, you should go assuming it will rain, and then perhaps be pleasantly suprised if you hit a nice spot of weather,, they have had oddly timed heat waves too.

The UK has had an extended dry spell - in the last 2 years the number of months with above average rainfall can be counted on less than the fingers of one hand. So things are due for a bit of evening out. Also on average London is drier than Rome ...