Weather For An Aussie In May

[Deleted member 67338]

It might sound a bit silly but down under the weather is a lot different to Europe and unless you are from Melbourne or Tassie we don't really revel in the cold, although I am stepping off on May 20 I would like an Aussie who has done the Camino France in the spring/summer to give me an update. Its just my decision on clothes.Cheers in Advance.

 

[Purky]

It might sound a bit silly but down under the weather is a lot different to Europe and unless you are from Melbourne or Tassie we don't really revel in the cold, although I am stepping off on May 20 I would like an Aussie who has done the Camino France in the spring/summer to give me an update. Its just my decision on clothes.Cheers in Advance.

I'm not an Aussie, but spent a year down under, so I know where you come from weather-wise. From may on you're looking at balmy weather in Spain, averaging about 18 °C. June will be between 20 and 22°C average. Perfect hiking weather.
As for clothing: don't bundle up, layer up. Get a merino T-shirt, a warm tech pullover and a good fleece. If that is still too cold, use your rainjacket as toplayer. And, for the cooler evenings, bring a sleeping bag and a decent liner.
You'll use the liner every day (it's the hygienic thing to do) and the sleeping bag every now and then when there are no blankets available. If you're still cold: plenty of shops to stock up on extra clothes.
She'll be right, mate.

 

[dougfitz]

May in Pamplona is likely to be remarkably similar to May in Perth, but my crystal ball is a bit cloudy, and I cannot tell which days it will be raining. For climate information, see http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=9263D&k=nav for Pamplona and http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_009034.shtml for Perth. Colder minima in Perth, and slightly more rainy days on average.

 

[jeannick]

. It's pot luck , cold is not the problem ,heat should be just fine , rain is the only question but central Spain is naturally high and dry
.. the flowers should be out ,

 

[long trails]

I have been in Melbourne and experienced very chilly weather, even for a Brit! I could understand your reservations if you were from say Brisbane or Cairns, but you have nothing to worry about if you are a Victorian.

 

[maggiec]

I'm from Melbourne. May was fairly hot but some parts (ie O'Cebreiro) was cold at night. Layers are the answer. Temperature is the same as Melbourne summer but sun doesn't feel like a burning hot poker-it's a lot milder.

 

[Paddington Bear]

It might sound a bit silly but down under the weather is a lot different to Europe and unless you are from Melbourne or Tassie we don't really revel in the cold, although I am stepping off on May 20 I would like an Aussie who has done the Camino France in the spring/summer to give me an update. Its just my decision on clothes.Cheers in Advance.

This site gives you extended forecasts for weather all along the Camino.
The closer to the date the more accurate, obviously.
It looks like they are currently experiencing a "heat wave" in Spain. The forecasts are for this not to continue.
If the weather reverts back to normal it will be cold (what I consider very cold) in late May.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/es/sarria/305145/daily-weather-forecast/305145?day=20

 

[Kanga]

@Mick McQueen I've walked the Camino Francés three times in spring/summer, and each time the weather has been different.

If it helps to get it in perspective, the Camino Francés is the same distance from the equator as Hobart, but at a much higher average elevation.

So in spring the weather is unpredictable - it can go from hot to cold, bone dry to pouring with rain (always, in Galicia). Summer is more settled and usually hot - I walked it one year in July and we had to get up early and make sure we finished walking by mid-day. Currently there is a heat wave, but as I'm going to be in Spain next week it will probably turn to snow.....

Sorry, but I can't help more than that! As others have said, get clothes that you can layer, that dry fast, and that breath.

 

[Deleted member 67338]

@Mick McQueen I've walked the Camino Francés three times in spring/summer, and each time the weather has been different.

If it helps to get it in perspective, the Camino Francés is the same distance from the equator as Hobart, but at a much higher average elevation.

So in spring the weather is unpredictable - it can go from hot to cold, bone dry to pouring with rain (always, in Galicia). Summer is more settled and usually hot - I walked it one year in July and we had to get up early and make sure we finished walking by mid-day. Currently there is a heat wave, but as I'm going to be in Spain next week it will probably turn to snow.....

Sorry, but I can't help more than that! As others have said, get clothes that you can layer, that dry fast, and that breath.

Thanks heaps Kanga a very detailed explanation you have helped immensely....the night fleece is staying in the pack.