I've been reading the comments on the trip from past travelers and am getting mixed messages about the weather in last August / September. I don't enjoy really hot weather but don't want to go all that way and spend my time in the rain. On average - is the weather pretty nice? Thanks again.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Stella: Here's the best summarized weather info for Europe, by month, which will help you answer your question about the average weather to be expected at each of your destinations in the month you're going:Rick's Handy Weather Table
Posted by
Munich, Germany
7 posts
Hi,
Weather can be really hot in August and then start turning cold in September. I live in Munich and last August was steamy. I am from the southern part the US when I am living stateside so I am no stranger to humidity, but I had no idea they had so much of it here. Getting into September the weather starts to cool off. Oktoberfest (actually held mostly in September) last fall was mild during the day and chilly at night.
Overall Germany is pretty much cold from October-April so May-September would be my personal recommendation to avoid cold weather all together. Today it started out at 5 degrees fahrenheight and rose to a "balmy" 22 where I live. I am ready for spring!
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, BC, Canada
84 posts
Thank you both so much. September is my preferred month for travel. Stella
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Yes, I think Sept is a good choice: makes it more likely that you'll be able to avoid what can sometimes be the hot/sticky weather in August; and you avoid the crowds of August caused by the fact that many Europeans take their long vacations between mid-July and the end of August (they get more vacation time than we do, darn).
Posted by
Salt Lake City
1528 posts
Yahoo weather or many other locations will give you average temps for specific locations and monthly rain fall. By your choice of Germany/Austria/Switzerland, you may be considering the Alps. The temps will obviously be a lot different in the mountains than in Munich or Vienna.
Regards, Gary
Posted by
Everett, WA
1299 posts
I think you will find that this area is similar to Vancouver BC in weather. Just like the Canadian Rockies (Banff and Jasper), September is usually listed as having wonderful weather, but that doesn't mean you won't see some cold and rainy days. It is the same in GAS. Last September the week of the 14-21 was extremely cold and the alps were socked in with snowfall. A week later, it was beautiful and most of the snowfall had melted. In 2003, we had 80's in September. You can't be 100% sure of the weather whenever you go, but I think September is the best time to travel. As a fellow Northwesterner, I think you will do just fine.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, BC, Canada
84 posts
Thank you all - appreciate the information. September is usually my preferred month for travel. Stella.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Days in September are usually nice with cooler nights. In Northern Germany (Hamburg, Kiel, Schlesswig) it was cooler, windier and wetter in September than along the Rhine, Mosel or Munich.
Somewhere around mid-October it turns cold.
I don't travel in August so I can't give you a first hand experience.
Posted by
Orlando, Florida
484 posts
I was in Switzerland and Northern Italy last September and found the weather in Switzerland just perfect. Cool sunny days and cooler nights but quite comfortable. Milan had a swing of cool days and warm and sunny days. In the past I have always traveled in July/August and found Europe overall to be extremely hot and muggy. Last year was the first time I traveled in September and given a choice that would be my preferred month for travel now. I think I would take my chances in September instead of the heat of July /August. Of course it all depends on where you travel and the altitude.