smallcat,
I too have often walked the camino in late autumn and winter.
Not all albergues will be open after mid October but the hospitaleros usually know who is open on the next stage. Since the throngs of summer have passed you will find the welcome at those albergues which are open to be most sincere; generally they will either be heated or have blankets, but not all. In some places I was THE only pilgrim.
The best advice is to BE PREPARED for extreme and varied weather. Nights could be bitter cold with freezing rain or snow; it is important to read the sky for possible storms. Regarding the state of the path and weather forecasts be sure to ask the locals and watch TV reports.
In bad weather many steep descents on the camino would be treacherous and following smaller parallel roads might be necessary. As you may know this past spring the Napoleon route from SJPdP to Roncevalles was blocked with several meters of snow and in effect closed to pilgrims thus necessitating the use of the Valcarlos alternate. You can read about this situation in the Forum topic. >>
el-camino-frances/topic16961.html Of course you plan to continue from Logrono.
Nevertheless other difficult stretches west of Logrono after future storms might be from Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada or across the Montes de Oca from Villafranca as well as Monte irago and, of course, O Cebriero.
Even last November 29 the climb up to O Cebriero was packed with snow. You can see the snow and read my blog account of this memorable storm at >>
http://mermore.blogspot.fr/2011/04/aavmo.html. Luckily the open albergue offered welcoming shelter, heat and companionship.
My kit has evolved to be warm and cozy but still a lightweight 6.5 kilos. During eight caminos it has been comfortable in 'difficult' weather conditions including deep mud, heavy wind, lashing rain, freezing albergues and three true blizzards as well as walking in glorious golden sunshine. Like many veteran pilgrims do I layer basic items when necessary. One important change made over time is now the jacket is bright reflective yellow and for my next camino the poncho will be day-glo orange for maximum safety as mentioned by whariwharangi. Here is my kit list >>
http://mermore.blogspot.fr/p/kit-and-tips.html
Whatever you plan to take be sure to test wearing and carrying it. Tried and true is better than new and never worn for all your camino gear.
Happy planning and Buen Camino,
Margaret Meredith