Expected weather beginning March 27

[bgocrm]

I am considering starting my first Camino on March 27...searching for guidance on expected weather/rain from SJPDP March 27 through Santiago 5/1. Thank you!!

 

[jpflavin1]

I am considering starting my first Camino on March 27...searching for guidance on expected weather/rain from SJPDP March 27 through Santiago 5/1. Thank you!!

This is a commonly asked question and one that cannot really be answered. You can look at historical data but it is just that, historical.

It will be cool/cold in the mountains, maybe snow. The Meseta will be warmer and more pleasant. There will be rain, especially in Galacia.

Just go and adjust to conditions as they present themselves.

 

[CWBuff]

Hello and welcome
Many threads here about the weather
One thing for sure NOBODY can predict the weather. One spot; never mind 800km over 2.5 months.
Given the time you indicate most likely it will be on a cooler side but that's as far as I'm willing to go.
Good luck and Buen Camino

 

[dougfitz]

I am considering starting my first Camino on March 27...searching for guidance on expected weather/rain from SJPDP March 27 through Santiago 5/1. Thank you!!

AEMET, the Spanish weather agency, publishes standard climate values on their website. Here are the pages for:

• Pamplona airport, and
• Santiago Airport.

If you want to see what the extremes might be, then you can check that out here.

There are many other weather sites that will begin to offer weather forecasts closer to when you are walking.

And to borrow a turn of phrase sometimes used here in the past, the weather will be the same as last year, just on different days.

 

[dougfitz]

One spot; never mind 800km over 2.5 months.

The OP is planning to walk from the end of March to the beginning of May, perhaps five weeks or so. That is if he is using a North American date format. Still not going to be one easy answer to this as one traverses the whole of northern Spain and the two or perhaps three distinct climate zones this entails.

 

[Burton Axxe]

I walked at exactly the same time last year but from Pamplona, as the Napoleon route wasn’t open yet. Some zero degree mornings that warmed up to the twenties by afternoon. Blue skies all the way to Rabanal. Lots of (expected) rain and mud thereafter.

 

[Anniesantiago]

You can expect rain, snow, sunshine, clouds, wind, and calm.
Might be fun to keep a checklist and make a note of the weather each day.
I wish there WAS an answer as I'll be walking starting April 10 - but I know from experience, there's no way of knowing until you are there.

 

[bgocrm]

Many thanks for great insights and resources!

 

[NancyZ]

I walked at this time in 2022 and had all types of weather, cold, cool, rain, snow, wind, and sun. You never know what the weather is going to be like.
Buen Camino

 

[Bradypus]

My favourite website for historical weather data is Weatherspark.com. Enter the name of a town and it will give you past averages by day, month and year. But that doesn't help much to know what any particular day will bring!

 

[stevepjq]

I departed SJPD on March 30, 2022. During the 5 week journey, I encountered 3 days of snow - once up to my knee approaching Alto del Perdon, flurries a few days later and then an hour of heavy snow approaching O Cebriero. I also had a stormy and very windy day on the meseta. I wore my gloves early morning on most days but there were also a good number of days that I wore shorts and tee shirts.

 

[Mito]

I’ve walked in March twice. I’d say: expect the unexpected. I had driving rain and snow and sunny T-shirt days. Bring many thin layers and rain gear. I wore everything on cold, rainy days and carried next to nothing. Lol. You’ll be fine.

 

[trecile]

This site should be helpful

Camino de Santiago - forecast and historical weather

Get a personal daily weather forecast for the Camino de Santiago for the exact dates you're planning to go. Or browse to pick the best time of year.

caminoweather.com

 

[Madis]

The Napoleon pass might still be closed in end of March if there is too much snow up there.

You will need to check with the local pilgrim office in SJPdP before starting.

I am starting on a similar date in Seville. Here is how I planned my layers (I am less likely to see snow):
http://caminopilgrim.travel.blog/2023/10/07/spring-autumn-gear-packing-list-for-camino/

 

[Mark Greenwood]

You need to ask the locals at the time, having studied metorology and watching daily forecasts for many years, its apparent that even the Metorologists cant get it right everytime, even the day before, and using years of data and satellite tracking/mapping.

So be prepared and take advice as suggested by pilgrims above,from seasoned walkers and the locals at the time as well.

Buen Camino stay safe.

 

[trecile]

The Napoleon pass might still be closed in end of March if there is too much snow up there

The Napoleon Route is definitely closed until April 1st. It could also be closed after that because of weather conditions.

 

[dougfitz]

My favourite website for historical weather data is Weatherspark.com. Enter the name of a town and it will give you past averages by day, month and year. But that doesn't help much to know what any particular day will bring!

That is true, but one might follow the advice to travellers that they should pack for the climate and dress for the weather.

 

[RangerRick]

Caminoweather.com will give you the historical data for the last 14 years with an overall average for each stage along the Frances. https://caminoweather.com/frances/?...ion=on&startDate=2024-04-01&lengthType=stages

 

[bgocrm]

Wow!! Thank you all!