Weather statistics April

[Ullamae]

I'm starting my camino early April and have been trying to find weather statistics early April for SJPdP and the pass, so far with no luck.

So, all you experienced April pilgrims out there, what kind of conditions have you encountered when crossing the Pyrenees? And has anybody arrived at SJPdP and both passes where closed?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Go to http://www.wunderground.com/
Choose the city for which you want weather.
Scroll down until you reach Almanac.
Pick any date in April in any historic year.
On the new screen that appears, choose Month. The data for that month will appear in a calendar and tabular form.

 

[wayfarer]

I walked from SJPP in April 2012 and the Napoleon was closed although some still walked it. I took the Valcarlos route which was still very beautiful but cold, wet and some snow at the top. All went well, no problems.

 

[Thengel1]

I'm starting my camino early April and have been trying to find weather statistics early April for SJPdP and the pass, so far with no luck.

So, all you experienced April pilgrims out there, what kind of conditions have you encountered when crossing the Pyrenees? And has anybody arrived at SJPdP and both passes where closed?

I started from SJPDP on April 2nd last year and the high route was closed (there had actually been a Canadian hiker who had ignored the warnings and been killed a couple of weeks prior to my departure.)

In spite of the Napoleon route being closed, I was remarkably fortunate in the weather I encountered last April. From Pamplona to O'Cebreiro (more than 550km), I only saw one brief shower while walking. Temperatures varied a bit, certainly there were some cool mornings, but generally I had consistently fine walking weather for weeks on end.

 

[HermanTheGerman]

I walked from SJPP in April 2012 and the Napoleon was closed although some still walked it. I took the Valcarlos route which was still very beautiful but cold, wet and some snow at the top. All went well, no problems.

That sounds like May 2013

 

[Ullamae]

Thank you for your replies! Maybe I shouldn't worry, I went for a walk this morning (7.5 K) in colder weather, 1C, and walking in slush or on ice most of the way. I just don't know if I can make it to Roncesvalles in one day, and if the weather is bad i could get in trouble if the albergues are full... but they wouldn't turn me away, would they?

Falcon, I can't get that to work for SJPP, could it be that they don't have the stats for all towns?

 

[wayfarer]

Whichever route you take there is an albergue after about eight miles, one at Orisson on the Napoleon and one at Valcarlos on the lower route. Chances are you will arrive at these well before they open for the day. I think you have to book for Orisson but as far as I know there is also private accommodation in both these places. Early April should not be busy.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Falcon, I can't get that to work for SJPP, could it be that they don't have the stats for all towns?

You need to pick a nearby city, such as Pamplona, Leon, Burgos, Lugo, or Santiago. Needless to say, there is not one weather history for a 750km journey. You will walk through lots of weather zones, and the worst weather will be in places that do not report, such as the Cruz de Ferro and crest of the Route Napoleon.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I can't get that to work for SJPP

SJPdP has a microclimate on the lee side of the Pyrenees, so predictions and history from nearby large cities with weather forecasts are not too useful. Moisture is removed from the clouds high in the mountains so that SJPdP may have fairly dry weather when it is stormy at higher elevations. I think someone looks out the window for this weather report from the tourist office http://www.saintjeanpieddeport-paysbasque-tourisme.com/fr/meteo but it does not provide history. At least you know what it is doing currently in the town.

 

[karenfromcali]

Due to start my first camino from SJPP in about 3 weeks. Has anyone heard if there has been any snow on the pyrenees?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

There have been several major snowfalls this winter. Today it is raining in Roncesvalles, but snow is predicted again by next Tuesday.

 

[grayland]

I walked over the Napoleon on May 2nd 2012 in a snow storm.
Everything covered in 6+ inches of snow. The day before was clear with sunshine.
Everything should be anticipated.
I have walked the Napoleon other years in March in rain and fog.

 

[karenfromcali]

Falcon and grayland. Thanks for taking the time to reply

 

[Ullamae]

I have found this Norwegian site useful: http://www.yr.no/ You can select English, so it is quite easy to use. You can also add locations to "your places" and access them easily every time you log on. I have added both SJPDP and Roncesvalles. They also have an app for android that I use.

 

[fraluchi]

People who have lived alltheir life in high mountains know that, at any time of the year, weather conditions can change suddenly and within few hours. Ask weathered locals for their advice before starting high mountain hikes.