Is the weather really that dreadful?

Yesterday I sat on a sunny hillside in just a sweatshirt.  And appreciated it waaayyyyy more than I ever did in California.  I agree with other posters - it's not the weather as much as the short days that got to me this year. 

It is the short days for me too.

For instance, someone here said they were from Wisconsin, which is really far north for the US.

On the shortest day of the year the day is 8:55 minutes long, in London it is 7:50 minutes long and how much do you want to bet that whole day will be cloudy. 

Also, since the US is much further north the sun doesn't get as high in the sky here because of the tilt.  So it appears as if the sun doesn't get above a 2 story building.

For me, the longer summer days aren't worth it.  But where more worth it when I was at uni and was able to stay up until 5am.

It really depends on what you consider bad weather.  I've lived in some pretty nasty winter places, some with shorter days than even London (although I am not sure about Scotland, may have been comparable) and another place where it seems God/Mother Nature/The big friggen lakes seem to be trying to repeatedly kill the residents with massive snowfalls in short periods and at times, I would prefer any of that to the damp, drafty, overcast winters.  Most of the time it's not bad, and the rain, as others have said, is usually drizzly or misty, at least around here.

That said, the springs, just like the springs in Scandinavia, are glorious.  I don't mind early and late summer, but the whole not getting dark until 10 pm bugs me after a while, and always has.  It's also nice to have warmish summers which aren't so hot that you feel the need to go and buy an air conditioner.  I've never owned one, but every single summer in the States I felt tempted to buy one.  Frankly, I will take the overcast damp to stiffling humid really.

For me, the longer summer days aren't worth it.  But where more worth it when I was at uni and was able to stay up until 5am.

This!  When you're trying to get the kids to bed and there is still going to be 3 hours of daylight (I'm talking, bright sunshine as if it is 1pm - which does happen in the summer, but never in the winter  )...not a pretty scene.  Also when they wake up at 5am and the sun is shining bright so they think it's 9am. 

I actually don't mind the weather at all.  I grew up during the drought years in California, so I still have this tiny voice inside of me that says "ooooh, rain!" all the time, even in Manchester. I was just talking about this with an Aussie friend (who also grew up during a drought); we both *like* the rain, especially because most of the time it's only drizzle and doesn't stop you from doing anything. The short days do get frustrating, but those long summer days are amazing.

There are a lot of rainy days here, but there are also a lot of really lovely days here too. I've only lived here since the back end of December, but I've seen a lot more sunny days so far than rainy ones. In fact, where I lived in the States (near Philadelphia) they've had a lot of freezing cold temperatures, and snow and ice, while we've been dry and a bit warmer here. I keep joking to my American friends that they should come to England where it's "warm" hehe 

I think the biggest change for me weather-wise will be in the summertime, when the temperatures average about 70 F, and I'm used to summer days being well into the 80's and higher. So for me it will feel more like a long springtime with no summer.

If you wait around for the rain to stop you'll never do anything!

True!  I haven't had a good-hair-day in 2 years, too damp.     
But, I love the warm summer days here.  In my desert corner of Washington state there are far too many 100+degree days, much too hot for me.

Is the weather really that dreadful?  - Well it is today! and yesterday was so lovely.

Is the weather really that dreadful?  - Well it is today! and yesterday was so lovely.

Agreed! 

The other problem is that it is more difficult to predict what will happen.

In the US, at least in PA, you can see the storm front coming for 2,000 miles.  Things can be off of course, the warm air ends up higher than they thought so only rain, but the UK is much more variable. 

It just makes planning more difficult.

The short days do take a bit of an adjustment, but I haven't found the weather too incredibly unpleasant. Compared to the harsh winters of the US Midwest, this winter has been relatively nice IMO.

I lived in Texas for 8 years and I *hated* the heat and the constant sunshine-induced headaches. This has been a pleasant change for me. I'm much happier in longer sleeves, and the occasional drizzle.

And it completely depends on which part of the U.K. you are moving to, as well.

I miss the sunshine & heat & humidity of Tampa Bay! 

I think the biggest change for me weather-wise will be in the summertime, when the temperatures average about 70 F, and I'm used to summer days being well into the 80's and higher. So for me it will feel more like a long springtime with no summer.

Yeah - I miss what I call 'proper hot' weather.  Have to go to Spain, or last year - Morocco, for that.  If we're very lucky, we might see a once in a blue moon day where it gets up to the 80s (I live up north), but it's rare & doesn't stick around.

Echoing what others have said - the long dark of winter, grey skies.  Spring & summers can be pleasant - unless you get one of those summers where you maybe have a couple weeks of fine weather & the rest of the time it's raining.

The short days do take a bit of an adjustment, but I haven't found the weather too incredibly unpleasant. Compared to the harsh winters of the US Midwest, this winter has been relatively nice IMO.

I moved from Cleveland, Ohio, which was once ranked the most miserable place in the US in winter due to its weather. So, needless to say, I love UK weather! I think I'm one of the few people who can say I actually moved here for an improvement in weather! The only negative for me is how this country can't handle a few inches of snow. 

It's always cold in the north pole!

YES, It really is that bad.

So much rain and clouds and grey skies. I hate it.

The summer is also a joke. It doesn't get hot. It gets warm and then when there is the littlest big of sunshine everyone rushes to the parks to "tan" because it rarely happens. Seriously I have been wearing jeans and long sleeve shirts since not end of July. Then the winter is just dreadful with short days and grey, grey, grey. The days that it is sunny, it only lasts for 2-3 hours.

I know I'm being negative, but this is one thing I don't think can be sugarcoated. The weather is awful here.

I do have to say that one fantastic thing is that you can get some cute wellies! Plus, your wardrobe becomes more year round which is a big plus! 

Kim, where are you? I spent a lot of last summer sweltering in the garden, chugging iced tea and living in sundresses and flipflops.