rain in spain

[megs 52]

Can you tell me if is rains a lot in july - should I bring a raincoat? Or can you get one in Pilgrims Office in St Jean Pied de Port?
Megs

 

[Mark Lee]

There is no way to predict how much rain will fall in northern Spain during any year. Best advice is to go to a weather website and look at past years rainfall throughout northern Spain and make your own conclusion.
The pilgrim's office doesn't sell rain gear. Buy yourself a lightweight, packable one before you go.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Spain is a big place, and the Camino covers a lot of territory and elevation. It may rain. Read threads in the Forum on rain gear. Your choice is generally between a rain suit or a poncho. To me, the best choice is the Altus poncho. You can find it described in the threads on the Altus poncho.

 

[t2andreo]

A well known and much respected, since deceased, veteran of this forum and of the Camino coined a phrase which many of us still use:

"The rain in Spain, falls mainly...on Galicia"
Rev. Philip J, Wren "Methodistpilgrim98"

The paraphrasing of Prof. Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady" is cute, but, it does seem to be true, and at any time of the year. You can walk in from just about any Camino dry as a bone. However, once you enter Galicia, rain becomes unpredictable, even during the hot, dry summers.

I believe it has something to do with ocean currents, wind direction and strength and weather fronts coming in off the Atlantic. I walked from Porto in April 2015 and had eight beautiful, sunny, blue sky days. Then, once I crossed into Spain and entered Galicia, the weather clouded over. The last two days had significant rain. I arrived at the Pilgrim Office in my rain poncho.

N.B. Phil ended his 11th trip segment on the Camino Frances, completed his third full Camino, and started his eternal Camino, at Logrono, on 1 May 2013. Many of us were proud to have known him. We all respected and liked him a lot. I happened to be walking with him when this happened.

A group of us from this forum have since planted a tree in Phil's memory, and to provide shade (eventually) to other Pilgrims along the Meseta portion of the Camino where it is much needed. Phil's tree, and a plaque commemorating him, are about 1/2 km BEFORE Moratinos, on the right along a slight rise in the trail, just before the town cemetery (which is on the left.)

 

[waveprof]

Buy yourself a lightweight, packable one before you go.

Or better yet, buy an Altas one (much more suitable than anything in the States) in Spain. But, again, not at the tourist office.

 

[Anniesantiago]

You can purchase an Altus in the sports store across the road from the pilgrim office in SJPP, in Pamplona, in Zubiri, and in Sarria.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Can you tell me if is rains a lot in july - should I bring a raincoat? Or can you get one in Pilgrims Office in St Jean Pied de Port?
Megs

Hi Megs, you can't predict the rain. As some people stated by lightweight rain gear but not in the Pilgrim Office. Wish you well and a Buen Camino, Peter.

 

[whariwharangi]

Can you tell me if is rains a lot in july - should I bring a raincoat? Or can you get one in Pilgrims Office in St Jean Pied de Port?
Megs

It might rain and it might not. Are you willing to risk being soaked and risking hypothermia (combination of being low on energy, wet, and in cool weather ~20C is potentially lethal)?

 

[hsabs]

There is a website - Accuweather - which gives good weather forecasts. Worth having a look - you can enter specific locations to check various points along the route.

 

[Castilian]

Generally speaking (it might be local exceptions), July is the driest month in Spain. Of course, it doesn't mean it can't rain...

 

[Ricka]

Can you tell me if is rains a lot in july - should I bring a raincoat? Or can you get one in Pilgrims Office in St Jean Pied de Port?
Megs

When we went in April and early May
it was misty and rainy at least part of every every day for a week, mostly in Gallicia. I had a light raincoat with hood, a waterproof pack cover, and a wide brimmed hat and good hiking shoes. The thing is where I come from
(Cape Cod) when it clears up, that's it,
but when it clears up there, it starts up again later. Very deceptive.