Manchester weather,
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May, June, and September offer the mildest, driest stretches (15-21°C) and the longest comfortable days. Manchester's reputation for rain is earned, so you're playing the odds rather than guaranteeing sunshine in any month. December has the famous Christmas Markets in and around Albert Square. Avoid expecting reliable dry weather any time of year — but the city is so well set up for rain that it barely matters.

It rains more than most of England — around 150 rainy days and 800mm+ a year — so the reputation isn't unfair. Manchester sits in the path of Atlantic weather systems, and the Pennines to the east wring extra rain out of the clouds. But 'always raining' is an exaggeration; it's more that rain can arrive any day, in any season, often light and brief. Locals carry a jacket rather than an umbrella (the wind defeats umbrellas).

A good waterproof jacket is the single most important item — more useful than an umbrella, which the wind tends to destroy. Layers underneath for changeable temperatures. Comfortable waterproof shoes, since you'll walk and the pavements get wet. Summer: lighter layers but keep the rain jacket. Winter: a warm waterproof coat, scarf, gloves. Whatever the season, assume you'll meet some rain and you'll never be caught out.

Manchester is arguably the UK's best rainy-day city. The Science and Industry Museum and Manchester Art Gallery are free and superb. The National Football Museum, the Whitworth, and the John Rylands Library are all indoors. The Northern Quarter is full of record shops, indie cafés, and legendary pubs. The Arndale and the Trafford Centre cover serious shopping. And the city's music venues mean a wet evening is never a dull one.