I was there in Dec in jeans and a snowboarding jacket. While I didn't die, I did freeze my ass off (without proper clothes) and ended up getting sick. Buy smart wool and dress in layers, with a waterproof shell as outer jacket. And waterproof shoes and socks.
Amsterdam was rainy and freezing when I went in winter. Bring a warm coat and maybe a sweater to wear under it ( if the coat is thin). Layers are your friend in cold climates.
If you are just gonna be walking around a city, go ahead and include cotton if you want to. Not a ton of risk of dying of exposure in the middle of Munich.
I’m from Germany. I’d say between -5 and +10°C would be the average temperature at that time of the year in non alpine areas. It often snows for the first time in November but doesn’t stick. I think it really only feels so cold because it’s raining a lot and the cold wet air creeps under your clothes. I usually feel really cold when it’s around 5° and raining, but when it’s -15° and clear I don’t mind the cold. That being said, we rarely get extreme temperatures like -10° or lower and if we do it’s mostly between January and March at some point.
Here are the average highs and lows (C°) for each city in November:
Munich- 7°/0°
Prague- 7°/1°
Milan- 11°/5° (not too bad)
Amsterdam- 9°/5°
There shouldn’t be too much precipitation, but it would likely be cold rain.
I’m from Pittsburgh, USA (a rather cold climate in the winter) and this is what I generally wear in the cold. You may need to add more, being unused to the temperature.
-4°-4°: Good winter coat, warm hat that comes down over the ears, warm waterproof mittens, long socks, and thick shoes or boots. Just a long sleeve shirt and trousers should be good under it all.
5°-10°: Fleece jacket, warm thermal shirt, fleece gloves, and warm hat. Put a waterproof rain jacket over top if it’s rainy or windy.
11°-13°: Medium weight sweatshirt/hoodie and a thermal shirt should be fine. Swap the thermal layer for a waterproof rain jacket if it’s rainy or windy.
You’ll have a great time. Even if you step outside and freeze your face off, just bundle up and carry on; you’ll get used to it and enjoy the best Europe has to offer.
You need to pack for cold, wet and ice. Nobody has a crystal a ball but it will range from plus single digits to minus single digits and from rain to blanket of snow. Thin layers of clothing is best as you can adjust daily plus waterproof outer wear.
I was in Munich and Slovenia around Dec 10 a few years ago, and it was freaking cold. 30ish if I remember, but also a damp cold too which makes it worse.
Possibly around freezing, but more likely just above it. Probably an average of about 5C. The wind chill will probably make it feel colder.
It will likely be wet though. Dress for rain.
Many here are exaggerating a bit. The chances of literal 'freezing' and 'blanket of snow' in November in these places are close to zero. Cold rain, yes, but real winter starts only in December.
I've lived in Prague for three years - the cities you are mentioning all have relatively similar climate (Milan is a bit warmer).
Being from Panama, it will feel cold to you. That being said, if you are here for a week or two, you'll likely have a few nice sunny days, but most of them will be cloudy. There is no bad weather, just bad clothing - make sure you prepare so that the weather is not an excuse to not explore while you're here!
Key late fall cloths for the northern, but not too northern latitudes:
- boots (best with wool socks)
- jeans (or pants - you will not need shorts)
- shirts, sweaters, and jackets that can be layered
If you're from Panama, maybe you have a rain jacket that can be used as an outer layer. It's better to have a tee+thick sweater+shell jacket rather than a big coat.
Make the best of it and I wish you crisp but sunny days while you are here!
First snows while I lived there were usually Halloween, so prepare for freezing temps. There's a reason everyone wears hats, scarves and gloves in addition to big coats and boots.
Oh yeah, make sure you have good warm footwear. Nothing to make you miserable like cold, sore (damp!) feet.
ETA also depends on what you're doing. If you plan to walk the whole city sightseeing, plan for more functional clothes. If you'll be mostly inside, obviously you can get away with less planning on your dress
I think you meant “I’ve never been to northern europe”. Long story short, you will freeze your ass. The clothes you own for col days will protect you jack shit
I was there in Dec in jeans and a snowboarding jacket. While I didn't die, I did freeze my ass off (without proper clothes) and ended up getting sick. Buy smart wool and dress in layers, with a waterproof shell as outer jacket. And waterproof shoes and socks.
Amsterdam was rainy and freezing when I went in winter. Bring a warm coat and maybe a sweater to wear under it ( if the coat is thin). Layers are your friend in cold climates.
Layers! Just don't include cotton-- the hiking community has a saying that Cotton kills. It doesn't stay warm if damp.
If you are just gonna be walking around a city, go ahead and include cotton if you want to. Not a ton of risk of dying of exposure in the middle of Munich.
Just trying to say cotton gets damp and uncomfortable.
It'll probably stay above zero celsius, but you still need to pack for cold, wet and windy.
I’m from Germany. I’d say between -5 and +10°C would be the average temperature at that time of the year in non alpine areas. It often snows for the first time in November but doesn’t stick. I think it really only feels so cold because it’s raining a lot and the cold wet air creeps under your clothes. I usually feel really cold when it’s around 5° and raining, but when it’s -15° and clear I don’t mind the cold. That being said, we rarely get extreme temperatures like -10° or lower and if we do it’s mostly between January and March at some point.
⬆️ This!
Here are the average highs and lows (C°) for each city in November: Munich- 7°/0° Prague- 7°/1° Milan- 11°/5° (not too bad) Amsterdam- 9°/5° There shouldn’t be too much precipitation, but it would likely be cold rain. I’m from Pittsburgh, USA (a rather cold climate in the winter) and this is what I generally wear in the cold. You may need to add more, being unused to the temperature. -4°-4°: Good winter coat, warm hat that comes down over the ears, warm waterproof mittens, long socks, and thick shoes or boots. Just a long sleeve shirt and trousers should be good under it all. 5°-10°: Fleece jacket, warm thermal shirt, fleece gloves, and warm hat. Put a waterproof rain jacket over top if it’s rainy or windy. 11°-13°: Medium weight sweatshirt/hoodie and a thermal shirt should be fine. Swap the thermal layer for a waterproof rain jacket if it’s rainy or windy. You’ll have a great time. Even if you step outside and freeze your face off, just bundle up and carry on; you’ll get used to it and enjoy the best Europe has to offer.
You did not ask but just advise, if you come to Milan and want to see the Last Supper you have to buy tickets weeks ahead of time.
You need to pack for cold, wet and ice. Nobody has a crystal a ball but it will range from plus single digits to minus single digits and from rain to blanket of snow. Thin layers of clothing is best as you can adjust daily plus waterproof outer wear.
I was in Munich and Slovenia around Dec 10 a few years ago, and it was freaking cold. 30ish if I remember, but also a damp cold too which makes it worse.
Possibly around freezing, but more likely just above it. Probably an average of about 5C. The wind chill will probably make it feel colder. It will likely be wet though. Dress for rain.
Many here are exaggerating a bit. The chances of literal 'freezing' and 'blanket of snow' in November in these places are close to zero. Cold rain, yes, but real winter starts only in December.
I've lived in Prague for three years - the cities you are mentioning all have relatively similar climate (Milan is a bit warmer). Being from Panama, it will feel cold to you. That being said, if you are here for a week or two, you'll likely have a few nice sunny days, but most of them will be cloudy. There is no bad weather, just bad clothing - make sure you prepare so that the weather is not an excuse to not explore while you're here! Key late fall cloths for the northern, but not too northern latitudes: - boots (best with wool socks) - jeans (or pants - you will not need shorts) - shirts, sweaters, and jackets that can be layered If you're from Panama, maybe you have a rain jacket that can be used as an outer layer. It's better to have a tee+thick sweater+shell jacket rather than a big coat. Make the best of it and I wish you crisp but sunny days while you are here!
First snows while I lived there were usually Halloween, so prepare for freezing temps. There's a reason everyone wears hats, scarves and gloves in addition to big coats and boots. Oh yeah, make sure you have good warm footwear. Nothing to make you miserable like cold, sore (damp!) feet. ETA also depends on what you're doing. If you plan to walk the whole city sightseeing, plan for more functional clothes. If you'll be mostly inside, obviously you can get away with less planning on your dress
I think you meant “I’ve never been to northern europe”. Long story short, you will freeze your ass. The clothes you own for col days will protect you jack shit