Not going on a booked holiday because the weather forecast is terrible?

[Usernamen]

Hi,

I have non-refundable flights and a (as yet refundable) hotel booked for a trip to Malta for 5 nights over Easter, but the weather forecast is rubbish - so much colder than I thought it would be. It’s forecast to be 17 degrees, just a couple of degrees warmer than London.

I only booked a trip so I could get some warmth (especially after the dreadful weather of the last few weeks…) and I really expected it to be around low 20s, based on previous years.

Anyway, I am thinking of just writing the price of the flights (£200) off and booking somewhere warm like Seville instead (29 degrees!). It’s a solo trip so no one else to consult or consider.

Has anyone ever done this? Just cut their losses and booked somewhere else? Am I being ridiculous?

If it's warmth you want then yes,I would do this.

Book Seville on refundable tickets. Don’t cancel Malta. Make your choice the day before when the weather forecast will be more accurate.

I looked into this and the fee to change the flights isn’t worth it, unfortunately.

I'd stick with Malta. Weather is so unpredictable. The week before we were due to go on our honeymoon to Japan the forecast for our holiday dates was 21-25 degrees so we packed accordingly. We arrived in rain as predicted and got two days into our holiday before an insane heatwave struck and it was in the low 30s for the next two weeks 😂

Ha certainly a holiday I won't forget I'm sure people thought I had been beaten up. But I have a lively 3 year old now and although it was not a great holiday its a funny memory now 😄

You have my permission to do this*. It seems like a sensible choice.

*obviously you don't need this

I wouldn't even trust the forecast a few days before tbh. Here today both Met Office and BBC weather have forecast it sunny but it's raining 🙄😂😂 the daily forecasts when we were in the Alps last week were also wrong most of the time. It's so annoying!

Agreed.

Without wishing to offend any met professionals forecasting two weeks ahead is often almost into tossing a coin territory.

Agree with others that the weather may well change if you’re relying on a long forecast. I get the concern though, you want it to be significantly nicer on holiday than here, otherwise it’s a big let down. We’ve booked to go to Mallorca in the 2nd week of April & the long-range forecast is currently saying it’s going to be around 17 or 18 degrees which is lower than I’d like, ideally, but I reckon it’s still going to be a lot sunnier than here plus you never know, in two week’s time you could find yourself looking at a completely different scenario weather wise. It’s always a gamble I suppose going away anywhere in Europe over April but still, anywhere south of Dover has a better chance of sun!

And, on reflection 20 is nice exploring weather, it’s comfortable; not too cold, not too hot. Nothing worse than either of those two extremes

Does nobody check the historical temperature charts before booking? April is not warm in the med usually, it can be occasionally very warm but average temperatures are around 20, nice a pleasant but not sunbathing temperatures. April often is rainy too. I'm going myself but will be packing cardigans and a waterproof jacket

I would never recommend Seville during Easter holidays unless you really really want to see the Semana Santa.

I checked forecasts today and Malta seems to have improved for Easter from yesterday- same as Porto where I am off to - hurrah.

Yes, on my weather app it has crept up to 19 degrees but there’s now also “rain showers” forecast on the Friday… !

Seville showing as 29-30 degrees Thursday 6th to Saturday 8th.

I’ve done exactly this - booked refundable flights to Seville before they go up in price again (cancellation fee of £50, but I can live with that). So I’m covered for flights whichever place I go with. I will keep checking the weather and book accommodation 5-6 days before.

This thread has been helpful, so thanks everyone! :)

Just a little update.

Weather forecast for Malta from tomorrow through to Tuesday is 17 degrees (as I feared!) with a bit of rain on 2 days.

Seville is 29-33 degrees and no rain, so I’ll be going there! 🙌

It’s almost too hot on a couple of days, but I’ve booked a hotel with a rooftop pool so those can be my lazing-around-by-the pool-with-a-book days 😊

I should add this has been a lesson to not assume somewhere in Europe will be warm in April and book non-refundable flights months in advance!

Thanks again for all the replies 😊

I should add this has been a lesson to not assume somewhere in Europe will be warm in April and book non-refundable flights months in advance!

Thanks again for all the replies 😊

I’ve done this a few times. If you can afford it, why not.

Glad you got yourself sorted! I always see the likes of Holiday Pirates advertising cheap (for a reason) Greek island holidays in April, the hotel we like in Greece isn't even open in April, I can see how people get swept up with the prices. Even May is risky.

Yes I was aware of this - big difference atm between eg Barcelona and Seville/Costa Del Sol/Mallorca

Good call! Have a wonderful time. We went to Seville last February and was even warm then.

I want to go to Seville this weekend now! I think you have done the right thing. Have fun!