Weather in September & October?

[LRH]

I am doing the Camino in September & October (2016). For anyone who has walked during this time frame, what is the weather actually like? From what I can glean in the books the highs could be from mid-70's (F) to mid 90's (F), with lows from mid-50's (F) to low 70's (F). Does this seem correct? Thanks for the input.

 

[dougfitz]

I am doing the Camino in September & October (2016). For anyone who has walked during this time frame, what is the weather actually like?

I doubt that there are many people who can answer this question - none of us have yet walked in Sep/Oct 2016. More that that, over a month you could be walking across the vast bulk of northern Spain, covering two major climate zones in autumn, when average temperatures will be falling over the month, the chances of rain rising, etc, etc.

There are good resources at the Spanish AEMet site. Here is the link to its climate data pages (this page should be in English, but as you drill down, not all the information is available in English, but should be readily understood nonetheless). Another resource that I have found useful is the climatemp site (this link is for Spain, just to get you a start in the right place). There are other climate (and weather) resources on the web if you look for them that will give you a wealth of objective information.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Beat me to it Doug!

I'm walking in September and would like to know too.

On past experience in those months:

2001 - hot crossing the Pyrenees, warm across Leon, wet across the Mesata, warm until Santiago then pouring with rain

2003 - poured down crossing Pyrenees until well past Estrella. Sunny and warm until O'Cebriero then cool and damp until SdC

2012 - Cool in Rioja, warm and sunny all the way until Portomarin then torrential rain until SdC

I was looking at my favourite weather site for weather in Pamplona and took the 15th September as an example:

2000 33 deg C
2001 19 deg
2002 29 deg
2003 26 deg
2004 18 deg
2005 29 deg
2006 18 deg
2007 28 deg
2008 20 deg
2009 20 deg
2010 27 deg
2011 33 deg
2012 26 deg
2013 19 deg
2014 28 deg
2015 19 deg

in other words up and down like a fiddler's elbow!

 

[Felipe]

Well, if 2015 is a valid reference (you never know...), it was good in late September, with sunny days. I walked with a t-shirt and sometimes a light jacket.
In the first weeks of October, the temperature dropped noticeably, and in O Cebreiro mountain pass, things got difficult, with wind, fog and rain. But after that, it was moderately cold, with sunny or slightly cloudy days, light rains from time to time, and colder nights. A medium range fleece was a quite convenient addition. And you have to give good attention to your rain gear.
As a picture is worth more than many words, I have inserted two.
Late September, early October, is one of my seasons of choice. Besides, it is not too crowded, apart from the last stages before Compostela.

 

[Montana Jayne]

We walked 8/27 -10/3 last fall (2015) and our experience was like Felipe's. Some chilly mornings, a few nights when I wore socks to bed, and a downpour of rain in Pamplona. It rained 2 other times, otherwise the days were nice.

 

[Mike Savage]

Welcome LRH!

I walked last year from SJPdP to Santiago starting September 7. I had morning temperatures as low as 37f (3c) and afternoons as high as 93f (34c.) that I know of. No rain until Galicia then 5 straight days of it. I would absolutely walk at this time of year again and in fact I am. This time the Portuguese coastal route.

Buen Camino

 

[dougfitz]

The other issue is that simple averages can disguise a wide range actual conditions. Looking at the AEMet data from Pamplona in September:

1. Median temperature is 18.2 degC, but the median max temperature is 24.5decC and the median min temperature is 12.0degC.
   
2. The median of the monthly maximum temperatures is 28.5degC, and the median of the monthly minimum temperatures is 9.7degC.
   
3. The absolute maxima in September was 38.0degC (7 Sep 1998) and the absolute minima was 1.8degC (21 Sep 1957).

So what does it mean? Clearly being prepared for the median minimum or maximum will mean you are likely to be 'unprepared' 50% of the time, but given the difference between,say the median monthly max (28.5) and the median max (24.5), that might actually not be terribly meaningful because gear choices won't be that finely tuned that it really makes a big difference.

And one might make the same observation about the minimum temperatures, and whether it really makes a practical difference between being prepared for 12degC or 9.7degC - it will be brisk in either case, and for me would mean starting the day wearing a light fleece. Were it to get close to the extreme conditions (1.8degC) I might be searching for another layer, such as adding my rain jacket or another base layer from my second set of clothes.

Anyway, there is plenty of objective information out there, and it is really up to individuals to make their own assessments about how they prepare and pack to cope with the conditions that can be reasonably expected to prevail.

 

[Waka]

Welcome LRH!

I walked last year from SJPdP to Santiago starting September 7. I had morning temperatures as low as 37f (3c) and afternoons as high as 93f (34c.) that I know of. No rain until Galicia then 5 straight days of it. I would absolutely walk at this time of year again and in fact I am. This time the Portuguese coastal route.

Buen Camino

Mike

Mike we must have bumped into each other last year, I also started on Sept 7th from SJPdP.

 

[MargLav]

Welcome LRH!

I walked last year from SJPdP to Santiago starting September 7. I had morning temperatures as low as 37f (3c) and afternoons as high as 93f (34c.) that I know of. No rain until Galicia then 5 straight days of it. I would absolutely walk at this time of year again and in fact I am. This time the Portuguese coastal route.

Buen Camino

Hubby & I will be starting from SJPdP on 9/9 this year and hope to be in Santiago around mid October. My main unknown item is the sleeping bags we have already purchased - suitable for 2 degrees (C) and weighs 1 kg. I think I expected September/October to be much cooler than it is! Should this be one item we reconsider? In hindsight, 1 kg seems heavy. What did you use? Thanks in advance

 

[FionaClarke]

I'm walking 3/9 to 27/9 this year - Basically the Meseta from Burgos to Astorga. Daytime temps - I've no worries as layering clothes should take care of all possibilities. Nighttime temps - I'll bring my sleeping bag just in case, as it is light and I sleep cold. Rain is the big question for me as it will affect which footwear I bring - goretex is great in the rain and hellish in extreme heat. I need to keep the weight and cost as low as possible so I'm reluctant to bring 2 pairs of shoes. I'd assumed, working on averages I'd seen, that heavy or persistent rain was unlikely. I may need to rethink that. Advice welcome:

 

[Waka]

I started off with just a silk sleeping bag liner which was adequate and if the temp dropped I just put some clothes on. I did lose my liner sometime within the first couple of weeks and ended up buying a sleeping bag, I'm really glad I did because the nights got colder the more we went into October. having said that I could still have put more clothes on with the liner.
The next time I do the camino I will just take a liner, the reduction in weight is more important.

 

[MargLav]

I'm walking 3/9 to 27/9 this year - Basically the Meseta from Burgos to Astorga. Daytime temps - I've no worries as layering clothes should take care of all possibilities. Nighttime temps - I'll bring my sleeping bag just in case, as it is light and I sleep cold. Rain is the big question for me as it will affect which footwear I bring - goretex is great in the rain and hellish in extreme heat. I need to keep the weight and cost as low as possible so I'm reluctant to bring 2 pairs of shoes. I'd assumed, working on averages I'd seen, that heavy or persistent rain was unlikely. I may need to rethink that. Advice welcome:

We have bought silk liners too Fiona - so we have 1kg sleeping bags + silk liners. I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to ditch the sleeping bags - we live in a pretty hot climate (Queensland Australia) and I tend to get a bit cold but hubby definitely runs hot. I also don't want to overthink it which runs against my nature

 

[Mike Savage]

Hubby & I will be starting from SJPdP on 9/9 this year and hope to be in Santiago around mid October. My main unknown item is the sleeping bags we have already purchased - suitable for 2 degrees (C) and weighs 1 kg. I think I expected September/October to be much cooler than it is! Should this be one item we reconsider? In hindsight, 1 kg seems heavy. What did you use? Thanks in advance

I used a Sea to Summit Traveler sleeping bag; 400 grams (14 oz) it was too warm the first week or so and the last week I was happy to throw a blanket on top when it was available. I still could have worn more than shorts to bed if I needed to.

Mike

 

[Mike Savage]

Mike

Mike we must have bumped into each other last year, I also started on Sept 7th from SJPdP.

Hmmm . . . I don't remember meeting you; I would have been the bald guy with the gray handlebar moustache and I talked to everyone. My Camino family teased me about it every day! I'm sorry to have missed you (or even worse not remembered.)

 

[Waka]

That's ok Mike, there were lots of pilgrims leaving SJPdP that day.

 

[MacMac]

I am planning to do my first Camino Frances (and first ever trek longer than 3 days) in Sept/Oct too - probably starting around Sept 15th from StJPdP.

Thanks for the experiences on Sept/Oct weather of previous years... seems I have picked the right stuff, to cover anything from very warm and dry to very cool and very wet days and nights (though I am worried about the weight).
Being slightly risk averse, I am planning to take with me
- a 1400g sleeping bag, comfort zone at 6°c, and a synthetic silk liner for the warmer days.
- rain trousers, rain poncho, fleece jacket, bush hat
- two nordic walking sticks (hope they keep me from slipping down the Pyrennees down to the Bay of Biscay in the mud on my butt

P.S.: Hope to run into the one or the other of you, Btw, I won't be looking anything like on this picture, because by then the Euro 2016 will be like stale old coffee

 

[SYates]

Any sleeping bag that weights over 800g makes me shiver, but not from the cold. A liner is also normally used to either add warmth to a sleeping bag or to add hygiene on a long walk as it can be washed and dried far more easily. I personally think to use it as an alternative sleeping option isn't very realistic, if your sleeping bag is to warm, just open it and use it as a blanket. Buen Camino, SY

 

[MargLav]

I used a Sea to Summit Traveler sleeping bag; 400 grams (14 oz) it was too warm the first week or so and the last week I was happy to throw a blanket on top when it was available. I still could have worn more than shorts to bed if I needed to.

Mike

Thanks Mike. It might be the one item I change - does it pack down really small too?

 

[GettingThere]

Beat me to it Doug!

I'm walking in September and would like to know too.

On past experience in those months:

2001 - hot crossing the Pyrenees, warm across Leon, wet across the Mesata, warm until Santiago then pouring with rain

2003 - poured down crossing Pyrenees until well past Estrella. Sunny and warm until O'Cebriero then cool and damp until SdC

2012 - Cool in Rioja, warm and sunny all the way until Portomarin then torrential rain until SdC

I was looking at my favourite weather site for weather in Pamplona and took the 15th September as an example:

2000 33 deg C
2001 19 deg
2002 29 deg
2003 26 deg
2004 18 deg
2005 29 deg
2006 18 deg
2007 28 deg
2008 20 deg
2009 20 deg
2010 27 deg
2011 33 deg
2012 26 deg
2013 19 deg
2014 28 deg
2015 19 deg

in other words up and down like a fiddler's elbow!

Fantastic, @Jeff Crawley - this list of temps made me laugh! Perfect illustration of how impossible it is to answer a question about what the weather will be like. Pick a number, double it, add 3.....

 

[Trevor Batley]

It might be the one item I change - does it pack down really small too?

Tiny. About the size of a 500ml water bottle.
http://www.seatosummit.com.au/sleepingbags/series/?series=traveller

 

[Mike Savage]

Thanks Mike. It might be the one item I change - does it pack down really small too?

It sure does. I just measured it at less than 5" (12 cm) diameter and 7" (17 cm) tall.

Mike

 

[Wolfdog]

We walked Sept. 7 to Oct. 10 2014, I wore shorts and light tee shirts the entire time with a light long sleeve top in the mornings. My wife wore leggings and light tops, it rained off and on the last week to ten days and we slipped on the rain gear as needed. Buen Camino! Pete

 

[clhvera]

We walked Sept. 7 to Oct. 10 2014, I wore shorts and light tee shirts the entire time with a light long sleeve top in the mornings. My wife wore leggings and light tops, it rained off and on the last week to ten days and we slipped on the rain gear as needed. Buen Camino! Pete

We will be walking this September/October around the same time frame and was curious what your average miles/km per day was in order to finish in that time frame.
Thanks
Christine

 

[Former member 2537]

Weather? No one can tell you anything at all about the weather several months from now. Climate, yes. Go to americanpilgrims.org and find the "Internet Resources" page. Click on "Weather and climate" and you'll find a long compilation of *climate* tables for locations along various routes.

 

[tony young]

I am planning to do my first Camino Frances (and first ever trek longer than 3 days) in Sept/Oct too - probably starting around Sept 15th from StJPdP.

Hi macmac .... I am in Orrison on the 15th I shall keep an eye out for you .... and the indian head gear
I also have buy a sea to summit tarp poncho 250grams 75mm diam x 125 and seems to work well... trying it on the cape to cape next weekend .... ( I might be sailing to antarctica with it ...lol)
tony

 

[Wolfdog]

We will be walking this September/October around the same time frame and was curious what your average miles/km per day was in order to finish in that time frame.
Thanks
Christine

We averaged about 15 miles per day, we never felt the need for a rest day ( we're mid fifties ) and actually slowed down as we were meeting friends in Sarria and were ahead of schedule.

 

[clhvera]

We averaged about 15 miles per day, we never felt the need for a rest day ( we're mid fifties ) and actually slowed down as we were meeting friends in Sarria and were ahead of schedule.

Thank you for your reply. I was hoping to get in longer trial hikes, up to 15 miles, before the heat of summer came upon us but no luck. With the temps being up in the 90-100 degree mark daily with high humidity we haven't had the chance. Hoping the fact Spain is cooler with less humidity we will do ok. Did you both train a lot before your camino?? : 0

 

[Wolfdog]

I pretty much just walked our dogs...around 6-8 miles or two hours. My wife trained more on hills and wore her pack sometimes. She also used trekking poles and swears by them, I chose not to. Carrying the pack just took a little getting used to. We thought if we walk 8 miles in two hours at home we could walk 15 miles in 4-5 hours on the Camino, but that's not happening, the terrain definitely slows you down.

 

[clhvera]

I pretty much just walked our dogs...around 6-8 miles or two hours. My wife trained more on hills and wore her pack sometimes. She also used trekking poles and swears by them, I chose not to. Carrying the pack just took a little getting used to. We thought if we walk 8 miles in two hours at home we could walk 15 miles in 4-5 hours on the Camino, but that's not happening, the terrain definitely slows you down.

 

[clhvera]

Well that exactly was my train of thought. I walk 4 miles a day, up and down a big hill 4 days a week and work out at the gym the other two for weight bearing exercise. Carrying the loaded pack has made it tougher on the hills but like you said we may have to walk longer than 5 hours a day. May I ask how many pounds was your wife's backpack? I am hoping if we start early enough and can get to our next destination by 2 pm we should have time to wash and dry clothes before repeating all over again! Thank you again for your quick replies.

 

[grayland]

The first week of walking 20-25km every day ..carrying your pack..will soon have you into shape.
It gets much easier after that.

 

[trecile]

I pretty much just walked our dogs...around 6-8 miles or two hours. My wife trained more on hills and wore her pack sometimes. She also used trekking poles and swears by them, I chose not to. Carrying the pack just took a little getting used to. We thought if we walk 8 miles in two hours at home we could walk 15 miles in 4-5 hours on the Camino, but that's not happening, the terrain definitely slows you down.

I have been walking a minimum of 5 miles a day, usually down then up a big hill, with a couple of longer walks 10 - 13 miles thrown into the mix each week. Last week I hiked with my backpack for the first time. I had it only partially loaded - about 75% of what I plan to take. The hike was 5 miles including hills, and occasionally I even forgot that I had my pack on. It was very comfortable.
I was worried because other than a lightweight day pack I have never used a backpack before.

 

[Wolfdog]

Well that exactly was my train of thought. I walk 4 miles a day, up and down a big hill 4 days a week and work out at the gym the other two for weight bearing exercise. Carrying the loaded pack has made it tougher on the hills but like you said we may have to walk longer than 5 hours a day. May I ask how many pounds was your wife's backpack? I am hoping if we start early enough and can get to our next destination by 2 pm we should have time to wash and dry clothes before repeating all over again! Thank you again for your quick replies.

She said it was 12 pounds without water and we used ultra light Gossamer Gear packs.

 

[vlebe]

In 2009 I started in SJ on sep 8th, arriving in Santiago on oct8th.

General weather was pretty hot. Specially the first week ( way too hot for me at least).

I had dehydration just before arriving in Zubiri.

I carried a very thin fleece with me that I have used probably twice around the mesetas and/or .

;-)


Be safe!

Ultreia & Buen Camino

 

[Felipe]

We will be walking this September/October around the same time frame and was curious what your average miles/km per day was in order to finish in that time frame.
Thanks Christine

I usually plan and make a 25 km/day average in the Frances.
If there are mountains or difficult terrain (as in other Caminos I have walked) I do between 20-25. In the Frances, this is the case only in the Roncesvalles and Cebreiro stages.
Really bad weather can drastically change the situation. I like the challenge of wind and rain, but experience has made me wiser (well...just a bit) and I can shorten on the spot my planned distances.
I can´t tell about wallking with heat, because I really hate sunny days, clear skies.

 

[Dreyer]

Do you think toe socks with another pair over them is the way to walk

 

[Janine Nesbit]

I have been training with Vicks Vapo Rub on my feet, toe sock liners (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CR6W5BG/?tag=casaivar02-20) and smart hiking socks (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NLYIY00/?tag=casaivar02-20). My boots are Keen, which helps with my wide feet.

I have been training 13 to 15 miles/day with a full pack and have never had a blister. I start the Camino Frances at St.JPdP on September 10.

 

[sugarhawk]

Thank you all for the various quality input... I start on the 4th Sept from SJPDP and wether or not to take my sleeping bag has been the hardest choice as i hate being cold but i've decided to ditch it to keep weight down and just go with the sea to summit silk liner and fingers crossed mother nature warms my path. I figure if it get's cold towards the end one will present itself...

 

[kathyj1421]

Does anyone know how cold it will be at the top of the Pyrenees? Walking over it Sept 4th 2017. This is the only area I am concerned about cold weather. I would like to leave the heavy hiking pants behind.

 

[Mike Savage]

When I crossed the Pyrenees September 8, 2015 it was quite warm. A couple weeks later the mornings were quite cold with frost on the ground a few days. I always take a lightweight pair of long pants for September and October and use them quite regularly but do not see the need for heavy hiking pants.

Buen Camino!

 

[sugarhawk]

Hi Kathy,

I also start on the 4th so perhaps i'll see you there

I have also been watching the weather patterns and wondered the same thing... alas all we do know is certain is that mother nature will make her mind up on the day... and we will walk. It will be what it will be and we will be wet or we will be dry... but we will be on the Camino and I can't honestly think of a better place to be.

Buen Camino

 

[Deleted member 3000]

keep weight down and just go with the sea to summit silk liner

If you need a blanket, you may have to ask. They may be in storage for the summer. Buen camino.

 

[MargLav]

We walked 9 Sept 2016 - just checked my photos - short sleeve merino tshirt and zip off hiking pants - started with long legs but quickly zipped off to shorts by Orisson. It was a very warm September though - we had temps in the mid 30's for the first couple of weeks - but it cooled down considerably by early October. We didn't stay in municipal albergues (we used the favourite list from this site a lot) and blankets were generally available (most of the time). I was glad for my lightweight sleeping bag over the last few weeks. There are no shortage of shops along the way though!

 

[sharpetravel]

Hubby & I will be starting from SJPdP on 9/9 this year and hope to be in Santiago around mid October. My main unknown item is the sleeping bags we have already purchased - suitable for 2 degrees (C) and weighs 1 kg. I think I expected September/October to be much cooler than it is! Should this be one item we reconsider? In hindsight, 1 kg seems heavy. What did you use? Thanks in advance

I will also be starting (my 1st) about Sept. 8 or 9th from SJPP....I was packing light...now I,pm panicking...lol. See you on the path. Linda

 

[sharpetravel]

Does anyone know how cold it will be at the top of the Pyrenees? Walking over it Sept 4th 2017. This is the only area I am concerned about cold weather. I would like to leave the heavy hiking pants behind.

Let us know as I’m coming a few days after you... Buen Camino