Temperatures on the North route in May

[JelteV]

Hi, I'm planning to do my first Camino and it will be the northern route and changing to the Primitivo around Oviedo. I'm now starting to organize my stuff, and I'm wondering which temperatures I need to prepare for. I'm definitely taking a light water-/windproof jacket, will it be sufficient to bring a fleece and some insulating layers, or do I need to prepare for seriously cold temperatures? Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[trecile]

WeatherSpark is a good site for historical weather data for any area.

The Weather Year Round Anywhere on Earth - Weather Spark

Get monthly, daily, and hourly graphical reports of the average weather: daily highs and lows, rain, clouds, wind, etc. Great for event and trip planning!

weatherspark.com

 

[Rick M]

Hi, I'm planning to do my first Camino and it will be the northern route and changing to the Primitivo around Oviedo. I'm now starting to organize my stuff, and I'm wondering which temperatures I need to prepare for. I'm definitely taking a light water-/windproof jacket, will it be sufficient to bring a fleece and some insulating layers, or do I need to prepare for seriously cold temperatures? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Seriously cold temperatures? For a Canadian, this conjures images of -27C with a strong wind. The Norte portion features palm trees of different types in abundance. You'll be fine with a long sleeve, a fleece, and a rain jacket in May. The Norte is at low altitude for the most part and along the sea cost, so its warmer than say, the Frances. I would expect the part you want to research is the Primitivo. Although you will be there later in the spring, and it will be that much warmer seasonally, the Primitivo also is at higher altitude and away from the ocean. If its going to get cold on you, it will likely later in the walk. Seriously cold? No chance.......

 

[JelteV]

Thanks for your replies! That's reassuring, Rick. It's what I more or less expected, but it's good to have a confirmation. Yeah, it sounded a bit dramatic, here in the Netherlands it doesn't get that cold anymore

 

[bayou_jenny]

As a New Orleanian who considers sub-60 cold, I have no idea what to expect. My Canadian and Icelandic friends say sub-zero is when 'cold' is felt. Y'all, I can't even.

 

[Peregrina 2013]

You'll be in the mountains, and it gets chilly. I've done Camino del Norte twice in May and it was never hot, so I would say convertible pants would be a good option.
Lightweight synthetic/down jacket is a must and it won't take much room in your pack (I love my Mont-bell Superior Down Parka at 7.7 oz (217 g). Definitely bring a long sleeved top - preferably a lightweight wool, and have a short sleeve one too, in a lightweight wool. I'm partial to wool because of all its marvelous qualities - especially not retaining odor, and I can attest to that from years of experience Also, of course a rain jacket and if you can, take a lightweight windbreaker, it comes in very handy!

 

[MaryStella]

I will also be hiking the Norte in May and was concerned about the same thing. As they say, we pack our fears and I am afraid of being cold. I will take a down puffer, long sleeve wool and probably a thinner fleece.

 

[trecile]

As they say, we pack our fears and I am afraid of being cold.

I think that they say don't pack your fears!

 

[isawtman]

I think that they say don't pack your fears!

Do pack your fears. I am afraid of getting cold. There have been a few hikes that I have shivered at the end of the day. Haven't shivered very much when I was actually hiking.

 

[MaryStella]

I think that they say don't pack your fears!

I think that they say don't pack your fears!

I pretty sure they say we pack our fears, that is why so many people tend to over pack!

 

[MaryStella]

I pretty sure they say we pack our fears, that is why so many people tend to over pack!

So what does it mean to pack your own fears? Simply put this phrase relates to carrying things in your pack based on your worries or fears; your worst case scenario. If you think you'll be cold, you pack to avoid that. If you think you'll be hungry, you'll carry lots of food.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

The Norte can be unpredictable. In my experience in 2018 I had 14 days of intermittent rain between July and August, but only 1-2 days of which I would describe it as cold weather.
Either way it is a beautiful route. Enjoy your walk.