World Weather Forecast – Know Before You Plan, Pack, and Go.

 

The weather plays a crucial role in your enjoyment of your trip. Planning is essential and knowing the city weather forecasts informs your trip planning and packing.

 

Do you want to avoid, as much as possible, torrential downpours like this in southern India (below)? Read on to learn how.

Are you planning a trip but unsure what to pack because you don’t know the expected weather?

OR

Do you ask yourself which month will give you the best weather for that holiday at the beach?

OR

Do you want to go to Asia, missing the monsoon season, but don’t know which months have the highest rainfall?

I learned the hard way about this last question, travelling to Vietnam on two occasions in November and October, respectively. Vietnam’s monsoon season is May to November. On both trips, I found myself in Hoi An walking the streets in calf-deep water because the Thu Bon River had broken its banks. I’m obviously a slow learner! My third trip to Vietnam was at the end of December. No rain!

 

My go-to resource to answer these and similar questions is the World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) World Weather Information Service.

Here you can access reliable weather forecasts and conditions for most world cities. Specifically, you will find:

• current temperature;
• 5/6-day weather forecast;
• time of sunrise and sunset;
• average minimum and maximum temperatures per month gathered over 30 years; and
• average rainfall and rain days per month gathered over 30 years.

 

I am someone who loves the heat and hates the cold and rain. As such, my trip planning revolves around escaping my hometown’s cold, wet winter and seeking holidays in hot, dry places. The WMO’s long-range city weather forecast is a great asset in my decision making.

Having decided where and when I am going, the WMO’s World Weather Information Service then informs me as to what I pack, depending on the average temperature (minimum and maximum) and rainfall (how much and how often). I like to pack light, so I will not take a coat if the temperature at my destination does not drop below 25 degrees Celsius day or night. If the long-range forecast for the months I am travelling predicts no rain, I won’t take a rain jacket but will take a travel umbrella as mother nature can be a fickle mistress.

The “MyWorldWeather” is the mobile application of the World Weather Information Service and is available from the App Store and Google Play.

On a final note, I would like to leave you with the following image.

It’s the dry season in the Kimberley, Western Australia, and this car (above) crosses the flooded Pentecost River. During the wet season, the river and much of the Kimberley is impassable.

Knowing long-range city weather forecasts before you go, you will likely avoid disappointment! Make the World Meteorological Organisation’s World Weather Information Service your new best friend.

 

Editor’s Note: This blog post was originally published in January 2019 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

 

Disclaimer: This post contains no affiliate links. All views and opinions are my own and non-sponsored. All photos are my own and remain the copyright of Just Me Travel.

© Just Me Travel 2018-2022.

 

Have you, or would you find this travel tip on city weather forecasts useful? Are there other weather tips you would like to share? Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts.

 

Like this post? PIN it for later!

 

Author’s Note: Please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip, and always follow government advice.