Every year, everyone has their own plans. Wedding plans, business plans, educational plans, and the list goes on and on. Yet somehow, the one plan that really excites many people is undoubtedly: vacation plans. Now, what do you think are the most important things to consider when planning the perfect holiday destination, tickets, and transportation? Or, perhaps, the ideal holiday weather.
Whether your trip plan is to stay indoors or explore outside, never ignore the weather forecast. These forecasts can determine how well you will be able to execute your plans. If you are travelling to your trip destination by plane or planning a little adventure getaway somewhere far from your comfortable home, be sure to check the temperature first!
Definition of weather
Weather exists all around us. It is one of the most immediate and tangible aspects of the world that you can truly feel. At its core, the word “weather” refers to the state of the atmosphere. This atmosphere naturally differs from place to place and from time to time. This is why there are specific terms that people use to refer to specific conditions, for example, holiday weather.
Other than ‘weather,’ it can also be understood through elements such as temperature. Not only can you feel temperature, but you can also be influenced by it. Temperature can make you want to do something. When you are surrounded by hot, humid temperatures, you may have the urge to move to a room with an air conditioner (AC) or eat something cold and refreshing.
In some cases, temperature alone can influence people to travel to another country. In this case, it is called the holiday weather. Of course, this is always for a good reason. This kind of occurrence is actually very common. It is reasonable that holiday seasons are one of the causes for the surge in plane ticket purchases.
What is holiday weather?
It refers to temperature conditions that are ideal for travelling and enjoying holidays. When it comes to planning for trips, most people focus on choosing famous, crowded holiday spots. If not that, they focus on preparing the best outfits and packing all travel essentials. For others, it is all about trying to get the lowest price for tickets. While all of these are important, there is one thing that tends to get overlooked: “What’s the weather like?”
When asking questions about holiday weather, it is important not to just ask about how it is in your destination. Make sure to enquire about the condition at your location or at your designated airport at the time of departure. Usually, you can check this detail by monitoring the forecast leading up to the day.
Once you pick the right day and time for your vacation, do not forget to also check what the temperature is in your travel spots. Make sure to write all of this information and match it according to your travel plan. This way, you can at least be prepared and therefore have one less thing to worry about when arriving at the destination.
Weather vs climate
There is one misunderstanding that people have about holiday weather: they think it’s the climate’s other name. This is absolutely incorrect. Weather is different from climate. To put it simply, climate is a pattern. The word “climate” refers to the average atmospheric pattern in a particular place. You can only know the climate of a place after a long period of time.
This can be done by tracking the typical temperature, rainfall intensity, and other conditions over more than 30 years. Weather, on the other hand, is temporary and unpredictable. Have you ever planned to go and take a walk outside your house to soak up the sun, only to be pelted by rain not even three minutes in? That is what you call weather. It can shift and change at any given time. Here are some other differences between them:
Scale
There is a stark difference between the scale of weather and climate. Weather, including holiday weather, covers smaller cities, towns, or neighbourhood areas. Climate covers larger-scale areas. They are regions, countries, or continents. This is why when you want to go outside of your city, you say “How’s the weather there?” and not “How’s the climate there?”
Duration
As mentioned, temperature is immediate and temporary. Sometimes, it comes as fast as it leaves. Even when it lasts, it only does for minutes, hours, or days, making it unpredictable. Climate is the result of years, decades, or even centuries. The illustration is that a sudden storm is considered weather, while the consistent rainfall pattern over 50 years in a specific month represents climate.
Impact on daily life
Climate influences wider choices that can impact livelihood, such as where to settle for life, what crops to plant for farmers, or what design would be suitable for buildings in a country with heavy snow loads. Temperature affects many aspects of your daily life. This includes things like deciding whether to carry an umbrella and raincoat while commuting to work, or packing clothes with lighter fabric and sunscreen to match the holiday weather at your travel spots.
Predictability and use
The world’s climate has not been as consistent as it was before. Be that as it may, you can still rely on climate data, which is the systematic information on temperature patterns. This is useful for agriculture and urban planning. As for the weather, you can use forecasts. These forecasts can help you plan day-to-day activities, special events, or even vacation plans. Unfortunately, they become less reliable when predicting far beyond a week.
Is the holiday weather forecast accurate?
Holiday weather forecasts are generally reliable for short-term predictions. People going on holiday often experience the dilemma of whether to trust the temperature forecast. The atmosphere is complex and dynamic, and it is important for there to be a tool that people can rely on to understand the conditions every day and hour.
The evolution of weather forecasting dates back to the early centuries. Humans once estimated temperature changes by observing clouds or wind. As of the 19th and 20th centuries, scientists began studying meteorology using technology. Today, you can use forecasting to estimate holiday weather for your travel plans. There are many types of forecasts, such as:
- Short-range: This type of forecast can only predict up to 12 to 48 hours of atmospheric change, which is highly useful for daily activities because it uses real-time data from satellites.
- Medium-range: A bit of an upgrade from the previous, medium-range can cover a 7 to 14-day forecast, which is why it is suitable when preparing for the holiday weather.
- Long-range: Also called a seasonal forecast, this type is less precise when predicting, but it is still useful as a guide to prepare for droughts, monsoons, or unusually cold winters over months.
- Specialised: Aside from one that helps ordinary people, some forecasts are created to assist specific professions with risk of danger, such as sailors, firefighters, or fire management agencies, or pilots and aviation-related professions.
Reliable sources for holiday weather forecasts
Accessing temperature predictions is easier than ever. This is all due to the scientific improvement and the invention of instruments like telegraph networks. All weather data across the world can be collected and shared. There is always a risk of error since the predictions are also influenced by other factors.
For predictions with a high level of accuracy, people are seeking reliable sources for not just everyday conditions, but also holiday weather. With today’s technological advances, humans do not have to rely on merely observing the sky. The predictions you have now are using mathematical models to ensure accuracy, and you can find them at:
- National meteorological services: National Weather Service (NWS) in the United States, the UK Met Office, or Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (BMKG) if you are visiting Indonesia.
- Popular forecast websites and mobile apps: Check the Weather Channel, AccuWeather, Weather Underground, Apple Weather, BBC Weather, and WeatherBug for holiday weather information.
- Television and radio reports: Once you arrive in your travel destination, you can also regularly watch the television and radio reports. The local reports ought to be more accurate.
- Airline and travel service platforms: Airlines, airports, and flight-tracking services give more detailed and precise forecasts that can help you travel more safely. This is also because they rely on their own predictions.
Best time to travel for ideal holiday weather
Once you have your reliable source for prediction, it’s time to prepare for the real deal: your vacation! Typically, people go on vacation or start thinking of trips near the holiday or festive seasons, such as Christmas or New Year’s. If they are students or want to go as a family, they usually go during school breaks.
You may have especially high expectations if this is your only chance to go on vacation before the end of the year. This is the story of busy corporate workers trying to balance work and life. No matter who they are, nobody wants the wrong holiday weather to ruin their long-awaited relaxation time. Below are some recommendations for you to plan your holiday:
Dry seasons
If you are planning a dive session for your holidays, the dry season is the best time to go. This period runs from May to September. These months offer peak conditions with sunny days and clear visibility underwater. In addition, there is less rainfall, the sea is calmer, and the water current is more predictable for new divers.
Wet seasons
Do you want fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere? Wet seasons (November to March) are the best for you! These months are not peak seasons, which means you can dive the Komodo waters more freely. If your diving goal is to see Manta rays, it’s even better! These rays enjoy the water during rainy seasons, as it offers more plankton for feeding. The rainy season is the perfect holiday weather for Manta ray lovers!
Enjoy the best trip with Diving First!
Having a vacation in ideal conditions is just as important as choosing travel spots, planning outfits, and buying tickets! Not only can the temperature impact your holiday activities, but it can also greatly impact your mood. Do not ruin your good mood with bad weather! Make sure that you check the accurate forecast for a smooth trip!
With proper planning and reliable forecasts, you can enjoy a smoother and safer trip. For a snorkelling or diving enthusiast, a reputable diving centre like Diving First is more important than a trusted weather forecast! Only when you enter the ocean during a good holiday atmosphere with a reliable diving instructor can you have the best diving session. What are you waiting for? Reach out to Diving First today for a good dive session!