Moving from California to the UK need clothing advice

Waterproof jacket!

The weather will vary from about 8degrees to minus2 degrees (Celsius, because its the UK). It can be a bit more extreme with temp, but generally cold, it doesn't rain that much in winter, except when it does....

sometimes it snows, but not proper snow - just enough for car drivers of 4x4s to stay over confident and write off their shiny Range rovers.

Fog is a big thing, so head torch. You'll want that anyway because it's dark most of the day which is short, and our councils turn off the street lighting to save money at night.

Tights, windproof and waterproofjacket, layers.

Road shoes need grip, it'll be wet, and we have more potholes than you could imagine.

Doing XC - 15mm spikes. Vest and short shorts. You're going to get wet - we run through rivers, puddles, streams etc.?

Trail runs? Dress for XC, with trail shoes - think big lugs... You'll still slip around, but you'll be more confident about it.

I'm in Lincolnshire - it's flat, and therefore when the forecast says only 4mph winds, we get 20mph. Its always a headwind.

UK has a temperate maritime climate which means that it never gets properly cold but does rain more than you are used to. On the western side as much as 150 days a year has some period of rain. Contrary to popular belief it does get hot sometimes for extended periods in summer but three days after the media have talked about little else than the "heatwave" and "record temperature of 38C", everyone forgets it happened.

+ 1 for 15mm spikes and short shorts

The UK ranges from 49 degrees to nearly 61 degrees south to north in latitude, and it definitely does snow outside Lincolnshire. Much of the UK is not at sea level and is at a reasonably high altitude and it sometimes hits - 11 or -12 at nights where I live, with power cables coming down due to snow, roads blocked, schools closed, unable to get to work a couple of days each winter. -6 during daytime is not unusual either but it might only get for a week, and then it's 9 or 10 degrees again.

The big problem I have is when we get a lot if snow, the local authorities don't clear the sidewalks and it's difficult to run on them due to piled up snow. It's not that often, but it can happen. Frost is a common reason for closing tracks in the winter, and that is really annoying. Races can get cancelled due to icy conditions.

Big difference if the OP is moving to Edinburgh compared to the south coast of England.

Either way, I'd invest in a good breathable rain jacket, hat and gloves and fleece lined running tights, all x 2 of, because ylthere will be times you need to dry them out. Layering is a good idea.

Some quite well populated parts of the UK are level, latitude wise, with the south of Norway and Sweden.

If you're ever running on a road w/out a pavement (sidewalk): LIGHTS.

Not just a headtorch, red ones for somewhere on your back, reflector thingies, etc. Cycling shops usually have a bunch of options.

The roads here are not as wide as the US and usually much more twisty so it's really really really bloody scary if you're on one in the dark and cars can't see you.

Also, my biggest tip in general is just to enjoy the weather changes! We moan a lot about it here, but if you can try to find something enjoyable about running in any weather it helps a bunch.

Torrential rain can be awesome fun to go out in.

Another thing - you're most at risk AFTER you've finished running. So bring a change of clothes if you're driving somewhere or walking back, get out of anything wet/cold asap.

Denim. Filthy, backward countries still wear denim. Everyone wears blue jeans in England.

The UK isn't as cold as its northerly latitude suggests because of the Gulf Stream, but it gets chilly and it is wet and windy. Where will you be, north or south? In the south the last few winters have been mild e.g. -3C to 6C, but it's the damp and the wind that gets you. Even 3C with high humidity and a cruel north/east wind can be punishing.

You'll be fine with long bottoms and top, base layer, light wind/shower jacket, and if you want, gloves and hat. Anywhere off road/pavement will be muddy so trail shoes with some grip.

Otherwise the obvious stuff will be the same - cities are warmer, it gets dark early, traffic is traffic (but drives on the left). No guns or really dangerous wild animals though.

I have never understood this infatuation that the Yanks have about UK.Why would anyone want to move from Carlifornia to the UK.You move to upgrade your lifestyle not the vice versa

If you want real winter and not just "real winter" come to Norway ;)

i'm from Cheshire, north west UK, and you're overthinking this.

t-shirt, maybe long-sleeved shirt. shorts or sweatpants depending how hot or cold. maybe one of those things you wear around your neck that you can pull up over your mouth because in the winter the air really chills your throat. that's enough.

it's pretty easy to avoid Americans in UK. not easy to avoid them in USA.

Think Seattle etc. type weather.

Sounds like New England

You sound smart for getting out of the US. Americans are becoming self absorbed selfish slobs. Getting a better job? Kudos that you aren’t one of the slugs bailing CA for Texas.

You can get rid of your sunglasses

Brexit. As self-absorbing as it gets.