Weather?

[Nino224]

My plan was to do the camino in September or October, but it's starting to look like I may have to push that back a few months due to finances.

When is it too cold to do the trek? Are January or February a bad time of year? How much snow do they get up there? I don't mind wearing a coat, but I don't want to walk looking like an Eskimo.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola Nino

There are a number of sites which will give you historical information on weather in Spain. Try this one:

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/Europe.htm

Is it cold in winter? Yes it is but not sub arctic. Will it snow in January February, with all the caveats of the unpredictability of the weather, I'd say almost certainly in the highter elevations. If walking at the start of the year prepare for serious rain too.

John

 

[Nino224]

Very interesting.
From what I'm seeing here, throughout Spain lows hover in the 30 degree F range, which is certainly manageable.

However, as you mentioned, rain is heaviest at the beginning of the year, particularly around Santiago, but even during dry season it's still wetter than the rest of the country.

Hmmmm...

 

[frescotours]

Hello Nino,

There are a few sites that can give you average weather temperatures for cities in Spain.

MSN is pretty easy to use and will give the average highs and lows by month.
http://weather.msn.com/region.aspx?wealocations=Spain

Here are the links for various cities along the Camino de Santiago to give you an idea:

Pamplona: http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages ... :averagesm

Logroño: http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages ... :averagesm

Burgos: http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages ... :averagesm

Leon: http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages ... :averagesm

Ponferrada - http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages ... :averagesm

Sarria: http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages ... s=wc:29912

Santiago: http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages ... s=wc:29736

Hope this helps. Good luck and buen camino!

 

[hel&scott]

We had the same questions regarding weather heading into Northern winter and thanks to the wise heads of the forum and checks on weather patterns at that time of year for the route we came up with the following graph... limited daylight hours also an issue.

 

[ellie2]

Hi, I did it in January 2010 and despite the weather being extremely cold it was still a great experience. In retrospect I would have preferred to do it in summer

 

[anna pugh]

I'm planning on join the Camino in the second week of March.. checking the historical weather may be irrelevant as we've had storms and rain and very odd weather in the uk so I'm sure northern Spain is the same.. funny weather for this time of year...

 

[Tia Valeria]

Good waterproofs and dress in layers.........
At least here we have frost and not rain this morning (Devon)
Buen Camino

 

[anna pugh]

Now getting serious and checking the weather daily.. thunderstorms!! Oh heck.. just as well there's no rush and I have a nice warm dry hotel waiting at the end of each journey

 

[Bradypus]

I walked the Camino Ingles in January last year with a friend. We had exceptionally good weather - 20 minutes rain in total and at no time did the temperature drop below freezing. We even had sunburn. BUT my friend also walked at the same time for two previous years in near-constant heavy rain and gale force winds. Historical averages do not tell the whole story. If you go ahead hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

 

[Tia Valeria]

There is always hope that bad weather will change to good. Better than fearing good weather turning bad

 

[Catholic Deacon]

Now getting serious and checking the weather daily.. thunderstorms!! Oh heck.. just as well there's no rush and I have a nice warm dry hotel waiting at the end of each journey

Hi are you still going in March? We are beginning in Ferrol on March 20th and are also a bit worried about the weather - especially as we live in Alicante where today it is warm and sunny!

 

[anna pugh]

HI yep... all set to go for this weekend.. if it rains I'll get wet. Hopefully it won't snow as it did at home in Norfolk today. But if it does it'll add to the adventure. "May the road rise to meet you" is an expression I'd heard before but never felt more poignant.. Buen Camino for March.

 

[Catholic Deacon]

Wishing you well on your Camino and that the sun will shine!

 

[anna pugh]

thank you. my bags are packed, I'm ready to go I guess. leaving from work tomorrow lunchtime.. see you all on the Camino

 

[Catholic Deacon]

I hope so, but unless you are very slow walker I think you will be way ahead of us by the time we start. Will keep an eye out for you name in any visitor books however

 

[anna pugh]

weather in Santiago today is perfect.. very light breeze just a nip in the air. Bright blue sky.

 

[anna pugh]

Sunny bright cloudless sky very gentle breeze today from Ferrol to Neda ( I can't recommend Pazo da Merced highly enough if, like me you're new to walking long distances or if you like a little luxury). .. look out for Roadworks with a redirection but well signposted.