Will heat waves change your travel plans?

I was just speaking with an individual who loved his RS tour this summer, but said if he took another it would be far to the north (he went to Greece) due to the heat.

I have always disliked heat so tend to travel when it (used to be) cooler. Trouble is, so is everyone else now!

If the current El nino extends all the way to next fall, we're all in big trouble. But I doubt it would last that long. I'm not seeing any expert predictions for it lasting past spring. But El nino or not, I'm not changing plans based on this year's weather patterns.

Hi susie, that one week in September 2023 seems to be an aberration. The weather forecast for September 2024 is in the 70s. I take general weather and temperatures into consideration but not sure how you can plan for an unplanned heat wave. We try not to travel in the summer to avoid the crowds.

https://world-weather.info/forecast/france/paris/september-2024/

Yes, I am taking the heat waves into consideration for travel next year. I’m looking at October/November for 2024.

It was very hot in Paris last week. https://world-weather.info/forecast/france/paris/september-2023/

And yes we prefer May or mid-September and later so it isn't too hot.

Yes. With climate changes, weather patterns by month and season are no longer predictable. I only have to look at my own city. ‘Raincouver’ is mid way through its 5th month of very little precipitation. We just booked the Netherlands for late February, early March. The Business Class fare was 1/2 compared to May and the hotels are 40% cheaper. We don’t mind wandering in the rain (although we are forgetting how to….) and we will be inside museums a certain amount of the time.

Yes, i definitely plan my trips to Europe to avoid hot weather. Been in Paris twice, and Venice once, when it was 105* and it was beyond awful.
I will only go mid-Sept through mid-June. Oct through Feb is my favorite time. Bonus for Jan/Feb is no tourists, my favorite kind of Paris, lol.

After many trips in the Autumn, my current philosophy is “You can’t ‘game’ the weather.” We hit 93 F in Zurich on arrival and a few days later, 34 F in Pontresina. Pack for that!! A few days later, we were buying short sleeved hiking shirts for hot weather in Kandersteg. Four years ago, Pontresina had snow in early September amd we had snow on Labor Day in Mürren in 2014.

We are going to push our favorite stop in Switzerland, Lauterbrunnen, a bit later next year: late September instead of mid-September. We’d rather layer up than peel off. There will always be a wool long-sleeved tee, a fleece, and a short-sleeved hiking shirt in my bag.

I would rather not have to deal with a heat wave in Europe.

My going there in the summer of 2024 , mostly likely in May to June/July is not going to be deterred by the possibility of a heat wave. I'm not changing my travel dates on account of that. Towards the end of Aug into Sept 2023, the temp. in France was in the 80s to low 90s everyday. I left on 11 Sept.

I flipped my travels this year and actually traveled in August instead of October.

The goal was to get away from my own hometown's heat by traveling to the Baltics where late August temps in Estonia, for example, were in the high 60s and low 70s.

The French tradition of time off in July-August is strong and this is the only time of the year when I can take a 2 week-plus break without coming back to a mountain of work. Also, I hate rain. So, for the time being, I haven't changed much in terms of habits.

I am fortunate enough to take my holidays on dates that correspond with what I want to see and do. That means possibly Summer for the summer festivals and cultural events and winter for what is best then; and every month in-between. There is no "NO" in my planning process. Life is too short, and i know how to adapt to the weather.

I was thinking about this as I watched the fireworks show over the Danube this year. Maybe one of the top fireworks displays in the world, combined with 3 days of festivities in every corner of town, and so many RS people will never see it because it's August.

https://youtu.be/U5PpCCfhBhY

I hate-hate-hate the overnight flight to Europe, so I much prefer one really long trip to Europe rather than multiple short ones. I also hate cold, wet weather and short days, so I've done summer-long trips since retirement. But I'm not up for unrelenting heat, either, so options are a bit limited. I've done Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as the bulk of my trips last year and this. Iceland, Denmark, northern Germany, northern Poland and Benelux are places I'd be willing to risk in the summer, and there are places I've missed in the UK, but I foresee a problem by 2026 if not before. I may have to start traveling in April-May and September-October, despite the shorter days. The thought doesn't make me happy. But being able to travel, period, is wonderful.

I know, I really should start working on the southern hemisphere.

I know, I really should start working on the southern hemisphere.

Bingo! Exactly what I am looking at for next year and beyond.

As to heat in Europe affecting my travel plans, I stopped going to Europe during the peak summer season 20 years ago after experiencing a miserably hot August 2003. Since then, with one exception for a trip to Norway and Sweden in June a decade ago, I have stayed away from Europe from June through September. We travel to Europe from October to May...only months we have not visited are January and February, and I don't rule those months out for future trips.

I am retired, and I am not tied to a work or school year calendar when it comes to travel. And I live in Deep South US, and suffer EVERY summer with our heat, and I am looking for an "escape" next summer, so destinations south of the equator appeal to me me more than ever...

I traveled in August for the first time since 2016 when I hit a heatwave in Paris. The secret this time? Orkney and Shetland. Oh my word. Bliss! Got me out of the N. Idaho heat and in to days with highs in the 60’s. Yes, there was lots of rain. That’s what waterproof clothing is made for!

Getting there is a little tricky as your options are an airline that doesn’t seem to be completely reliable or a 12 hr overnight ferry ride.

And yes, potential heat does affect my travel times and locations. Last Fall I was in Italy in mid-October. It was too hot for me in Rome. If I go back to Italy it will probably have to be February/March.

Our RS Italy trip was in late June to early July. It was before the heat wave but already too hot for Rome. The local guide had to adjust outdoor sightseeing time so we can avoid the heat. Still half of the colosseum tour was standing under some shade because nobody wanted to walk under the sun.

We have a family member in school age so summer break from June to Aug is the only choice. Unfortunately that's when the heat wave hits. Once we have an empty nest, we will definitely choose April/May or Sep/Oct period time for Europe tours.

"...how to adapt to the weather." Exactly, and that's why I go in the summer.

Well Stayuan…we did hit the Italy heatwave just after you. When you travel with your whole family and 5 grade school age kids…it’s when you have to go! We were prepared and survived. Felt like melting in the 105 heat a few days….but our morning tour guides…also roasting…would stop to talk in shade. They know where to go. Having plenty water, portable fans and misters, cooling towels and mini umbrellas all helped. Morning tours allowed us to cool down and rest in afternoon!
We ended our trip in Salzburg and Munich. Refreshing change! Then in Germany it rained every day. Those mini umbrellas used once again! No complaints! Nothing ruined by the weather…you just go prepared and adapt!