Hello, I live in hot Houston, Texas. I may be traveling to cold, wet Stavanger, Norway for a couple of months, possibly in winter.

Stavanger is on the coast, it doesn't usually freeze, but the temperature can be just barely above freezing. Think Scotland (other side of the North Sea). It rains quite a bit. It can snow.

What are the commuting essentials for cold, wet conditions? I've never had to do this before. My gear is all oriented toward much warmer conditions. Is Gore-Tex or similar pretty much required, to keep from getting wet from sweat and then getting chilled? What brands of raingear are good? Do the Internet houses (Nashbar, Performance) sell any good raingear?

I figure I'll have to get a bike with fenders,and I'll bring all of my bright lights over from home.