Cornwall Weather (way off topic, but I need advice)

[PanEuropean]

Hi Everyone:

I just found out I have to go to Newquay, in Cornwall, on Saturday. I will be there for about 3 days. I have never been in that part of England before and have no idea what the weather conditions will be.

Across the ocean in Newfoundland, Canada (a similar location, with the Atlantic on 3 sides), one would expect horrible weather, gales, sub-freezing temperatures, shipwrecks, and ice storms at this time of year. Am I in for the same thing in Newquay?

I am trying to do this trip (from Canada and back) with just a carry-on bag and minimal changes of clothes, so, any advice about what weather I should expect would be greatly appreciated.

Michael

 

[Iain Hogg]

Expect anything, excepot perhaps the ice storms

Try here:

<iframe src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/europe/uk/devoncornwall.html" width="800" height="600"></iframe>

Iain

 

[MikeP]

They haven't switched off the Gulf-Stream yet (though someone is threatening to do so, probably not paid the bill ), it's been quite mild and dry lately but I think you can expect rain, air temp around 10-12 deg C.

Newquay is a dump (even worse in winter), if you have the time to explore, stick to the north Cornwall and North Devon Atlantic coast.

 

[alecmuffett]

Newquay

In summertime Cornwall is amongst the sunniest bits of the UK; in winter the weather can change especially fast, but you're unlikely to see anything resembling frozen water. It'll likely just be a darker version of European autumn, perhaps with a few insane Surfers and the detritus of the summer party culture.

Most Brits think this is terrible, cold weather, but it's nothing like Newfoundland.

(context: when I was young my family were living in the USA, and used to head up to Canada for long university summer vacations, mostly nr Rustico on P.E.I. and I still remember arriving in June to be greeted by a snowstorm, and tales of crossing the bay the previous winter by driving across the sea-ice.)

If you want a foodie evening out, hop along the coast a bit to the fishing port of Padstow:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=from:+newquay+to:+Padstow,+Cornwall,+PL28&f=d&hl=en
(not the fastest route shown, but that's obvious)

...which is essentially owned by TV chef Rick Stein. I did a writeup of a recent visit here:

http://www.crypticide.com/dropsafe/articles/food/post20051003003055.html

...and the squid and chips is wonderful.

 

[judge]

Generally milder and wetter than the majority of the South of England this time of year.

And watch those winds in the exposed parts, if the weather is kind Cornwall is a lovely part of the world and at this time of the year at least you won't be crowded out.

 

[PanEuropean]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your responses and advice.

Iain, I don't know how you managed to embed that LIVE image into the middle of the forum - that is some real serious forum voodoo, I am substantially impressed!

I'll keep my eyes open for all you folks as I drive along. If you see a rental car with two GPSRs on the dash (neither of which are available for purchase yet), or a 20 seat aircraft flying around in the Newquay area - that's me, so wave...

Michael

 

[Iain Hogg]

Have a good trip. I spoke to a work colleague yesterday who is currently in Montreal and he was having a "little local difficulty" with the snow, so I think you are better off out of it!

Iain