Weather Inquiry

[Wanderingfriend]

I realize that predicting weather is not really possible but I am planning to walk from Burgos toward Santiago in early April. I know that right now there is snow in Burgos. It is a few weeks out but I am trying to pack. I tend to run cold. Have any of you done this portion in early April? Or, is there anyone in the area who would like to comment?

 

[trecile]

This site is good 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]

As we close in on April, the longer range weather forecasts start to become useful as well as the climate averages, www.accuweather.com will give you a decent forecast for Burgos and Leon at this point. Find the location, then click the "monthly" tab, and scroll away. The forecast temperature versus climate average by month are useful, and become more accurate as the time gets closer. I have found this very useful for knowing whether I was looking at a cold and rainy camino, or a warm and sunny camino. Both are possible, I've had it both ways that time of year! Either way, check it every few days, as it changes and gets more accurate as your departure approaches.

 

[Wanderingfriend]

As we close in on April, the longer range weather forecasts start to become useful as well as the climate averages, www.accuweather.com will give you a decent forecast for Burgos and Leon at this point. Find the location, then click the "monthly" tab, and scroll away. The forecast temperature versus climate average by month are useful, and become more accurate as the time gets closer. I have found this very useful for knowing whether I was looking at a cold and rainy camino, or a warm and sunny camino. Both are possible, I've had it both ways that time of year! Either way, check it every few days, as it changes and gets more accurate as your departure approaches.

Rick, thank you. This is very helpful.

 

[C clearly]

Have any of you done this portion in early April?

Yes. I tend to run cold, too, and have walked this stretch in March-April and in November. I carry virtually the same layering items on all Caminos in spring and fall.

1. Walking outfit that is good for typical day of 5-15 C and sunny or cloudy skies. This might be a t-shirt plus a light long sleeved merino shirt, plus a button-up sun shirt, with my walking pants.
2. Merino buff and gloves - They provide surprising warmth, but can easily be removed when you warm up after walking 30 minutes in the morning.
3. Rain layer - For me, that is a jacket and pants. They can be layered on for cold or windy weather as well.
4. Warm and cosy evening wear - Merino wool sweatpants, another long-sleeved t-shirt, zip-up cardigan, and down vest. Add a spare short-sleeve t-shirt in case it is warm. If you get very unusually cold weather, you could add some of these layers for the day. However, even though I tend to be cold, I have rarely done so while walking. Adding the rain pants and jacket has been enough.
5. My sweat pants are good for sleeping, but if I were taking a spare pair of walking-style pants that I didn't want to sleep in, I would add light-weight base layer pants for sleeping. These could be used under your walking pants on a cold day, but I find that adding my rain pants is better, as they are more easier removed when it gets warmer.

Listed from the above, including what I wear walking:

• 2 pairs of long trousers
• 2 short sleeved t-shirts (very light weight)
• 2 long sleeved t-shirts (very light weight)
• Button up sun shirt
• Rain jacket and pants
• Merino zip sweater
• Down vest (sleeveless)
• Wool buff and gloves
• Socks and underwear

I think this is very comfortable, and is sufficient for almost any weather you are likely to get. Some people would consider if excessive, but my pack is fine at about 6 kg.

 

[Wanderingfriend]

Yes. I tend to run cold, too, and have walked this stretch in March-April and in November. I carry virtually the same layering items on all Caminos in spring and fall.

1. Walking outfit that is good for typical day of 5-15 C and sunny or cloudy skies. This might be a t-shirt plus a light long sleeved merino shirt, plus a button-up sun shirt, with my walking pants.
2. Merino buff and gloves - They provide surprising warmth, but can easily be removed when you warm up after walking 30 minutes in the morning.
3. Rain layer - For me, that is a jacket and pants. They can be layered on for cold or windy weather as well.
4. Warm and cosy evening wear - Merino wool sweatpants, another long-sleeved t-shirt, zip-up cardigan, and down vest. Add a spare short-sleeve t-shirt in case it is warm. If you get very unusually cold weather, you could add some of these layers for the day. However, even though I tend to be cold, I have rarely done so while walking. Adding the rain pants and jacket has been enough.
5. My sweat pants are good for sleeping, but if I were taking a spare pair of walking-style pants that I didn't want to sleep in, I would add light-weight base layer pants for sleeping. These could be used under your walking pants on a cold day, but I find that adding my rain pants is better, as they are more easier removed when it gets warmer.

Listed from the above, including what I wear walking:

• 2 pairs of long trousers
• 2 short sleeved t-shirts (very light weight)
• 2 long sleeved t-shirts (very light weight)
• Button up sun shirt
• Rain jacket and pants
• Merino zip sweater
• Down vest (sleeveless)
• Wool buff and gloves
• Socks and underwear

I think this is very comfortable, and is sufficient for almost any weather you are likely to get. Some people would consider if excessive, but my pack is fine at about 6 kg.

I appreciate your help. Thank you.

 

[TrvlDad1]

I’m walking west from Burgos March 13-27. and been watching anxiously. It looks a bit colder and wetter than I expected, but of course, I don’t know if that will actually happen. I’ve packed layers suitable for around 32-55F. My biggest concern is sleeping because I don’t care to carry a bulky sleeping bag; so I’m packing a fleece liner and will sleep in clothes if necessary, or if intolerable, stay in a hotel as needed.
Buen Camino!

 

[Timwalks]

In addition to the helpful resources cited above, I'd like to add another that may be of interest.
Dark Sky is an app that delivers localized weather information throughout the world and it has an interesting historical function.

For example, if you list Burgos at the top of its page, it will tell you the current and predicted temp/weather for the next week there. However, if you scroll to the bottom and click on Time Machine, it will present with a calendar you can use to go back to a previous date, such as one year ago today, showing details of the weather in Burgos then.

It is also interesting because in this mode you can quickly flip forward and backward across days and weeks of daily weather to get a good picture of the changing weather at that place and time. This lacks the generalized information you would get from seeing annual average temperatures compiled over several years. But on the other hand, it can give you a good and quick review of weather details in one place in one year over many days.

So, one year ago in Burgos the temperature range was 32/46, Sunrise/set was 7:40/7:15 and it was partly cloudy. But the viewer can also quickly scan over those days to see how the temps steadily range up into the 50s a week later. Also, there was only four hours of light rain over the two weeks following March 3, 2021.

 

[TrvlDad1]

In addition to the helpful resources cited above, I'd like to add another that may be of interest.
Dark Sky is an app that delivers localized weather information throughout the world and it has an interesting historical function.

For example, if you list Burgos at the top of its page, it will tell you the current and predicted temp/weather for the next week there. However, if you scroll to the bottom and click on Time Machine, it will present with a calendar you can use to go back to a previous date, such as one year ago today, showing details of the weather in Burgos then.

It is also interesting because in this mode you can quickly flip forward and backward across days and weeks of daily weather to get a good picture of the changing weather at that place and time. This lacks the generalized information you would get from seeing annual average temperatures compiled over several years. But on the other hand, it can give you a good and quick review of weather details in one place in one year over many days.

So, one year ago in Burgos the temperature range was 32/46, Sunrise/set was 7:40/7:15 and it was partly cloudy. But the viewer can also quickly scan over those days to see how the temps steadily range up into the 50s a week later. Also, there was only four hours of light rain over the two weeks following March 3, 2021.

Yes, the problem with the app I use is that it gives the % chance of rain for the next ten days, but only gives the estimated amount one day out. So 80% chance of rain next week, without estimated amount, is pretty useless.

 

[Wanderingfriend]

I’m walking west from Burgos March 13-27. and been watching anxiously. It looks a bit colder and wetter than I expected, but of course, I don’t know if that will actually happen. I’ve packed layers suitable for around 32-55F. My biggest concern is sleeping because I don’t care to carry a bulky sleeping bag; so I’m packing a fleece liner and will sleep in clothes if necessary, or if intolerable, stay in a hotel as needed.
Buen Camino!

Thanks for this. It does seem colder than usual. I am debating the same issues. I did buy a down blanket which rolls down quite small. I think I will take it along. All the best. You will be a couple weeks ahead of me. With all that’s happening in the world, I am feeling a bit more anxiety about travelling to Europe.

 

[TrvlDad1]

Thanks for this. It does seem colder than usual. I am debating the same issues. I did buy a down blanket which rolls down quite small. I think I will take it along. All the best. You will be a couple weeks ahead of me. With all that’s happening in the world, I am feeling a bit more anxiety about travelling to Europe.

It’s my peaceful place in the world, hopefully to continue.

 

[JerryStroebele]

If it is too cold for your clothing when you get to Burgos there is a Decathlon outdoor store there. Just one or two km south of old town. Somewhat lower quality than REI but much lower prices. I will start walking west from Burgos the morning of April 9. Hope to meet you on the path. Buen Camino