Weather Update

[Thomas77]

Hi this is my first request on this forum. My daughter and I start off on our first Camino from Tui on 26JUN18. I would appreciate an update on the current weather as we make our calls on whether to carry ponchos (rain) or umbrellas (sun) as well as whether we should carry something light to keep warm at night. Thanks to all who provide valuable information on this forum.

 

[SabsP]

This link might be of some help.
https://www.accuweather.com/en/es/tui/305148/weather-forecast/305148

 

[Thomas77]

Thank you Sabine.

Its just that the weather has been rather unpredictable this year and which has resulted in some less than accurate forecasts.

 

[calamity37]

Hi Thomas.

I started walking from SJPP 17th May and it has been cold the whole time with on/off rain. Apparently this is not normal, and you are starting end June so may be very different for you. However, somebody on this forum recommended https://www.tutiempo.net/ which i have found accurate mixed with yr.no weather. Accuweather is not reliable.

For my trip, I am glad I brought a hat, gloves, lightweight down sleeping bag, light down jacket and defo poncho! You can get good ponchos here, so you can make the call when you get here. I bought an umbrella here too, for the rain once you’ve stopped walking for the day and need to go to dinner. Again, no need to bring, just buy it here.

The temps have been around 13/14 degs by mid day. A few days were warm, up to 25 but even then, I needed a jacket at night. Perhaps pack a fleece for evenings. You can buy in stores here if you don’t want the extra weight. This is my first Camino so I have no other time to compare it to, but for me, it has been very cold and wet.

Buen Camino!!

 

[Corelacka]

Hi Thomas
I do a section of the Frances each year during the first week of June. This year I did Sarria-Santiago and had more rain the first day than in all of the previous years combined! It was cold too, with some nights below 8 degrees and days only 14-16 degrees. Perigrinos who were finishing in Santiago from San Jean reported it being unseasonably cold and wet for the entire 28-35 days it took them.
¡Buen camino!

 

[Thomas77]

Thank you Calamity 37 and Corelacka. Your input is very useful. This being an unusual year weather wise several forecasts have been proved wrong. Based on your input I will pack for a wetter and cooler Camino than I had envisaged- so much for sunny Spain this year !!

 

[C clearly]

Its just that the weather has been rather unpredictable this year and which has resulted in some less than accurate forecasts.

Even so, the weather professionals are probably better at it than we are!

I would always recommend going prepared for cool weather, hot weather and rain.

 

[Thomas77]

Reminds me of "the rain in Spain falls mostly on the plain" ! I will take a risk on this trip and assume that it will never be hot! I guess coping with weather is a relative concept. I live where the weather is either warm, hot or hotter !! So can cope with the heat quite easily! Thank you and Buen Camino for your next one !!

 

[t2andreo]

For the best weather forecasts (IMHO) all along the Camino Frances, go to www.eltiempo.es. This is the official weather site for the Spanish government. They cover virtually EVERY named place in Spain, even tiny hamlets with more cows than people.

For smartphones, they have a free app called eltiempo+.es That is the name of the app. Once on your phone, it can give you advance forecasts all along your intended line of march.

Hope this helps.

 

[Thomas77]

Thank you t2andreo will try the app.

 

[Walking Lover]

We walked

Hi this is my first request on this forum. My daughter and I start off on our first Camino from Tui on 26JUN18. I would appreciate an update on the current weather as we make our calls on whether to carry ponchos (rain) or umbrellas (sun) as well as whether we should carry something light to keep warm at night. Thanks to all who provide valuable information on this forum.

We walked the P last year in July and had only a few hot days. Carry a poncho that will cover you and your pack. I wouldn't recommend adding any extra weight of an umbrella. This Camino is hard on the feet with much of it on hard surfaces.

 

[Thomas77]

Thank you. Certainly good advice.

 

[Lunchmeat337]

We will be finishing our Portugal Camino in a few days from Coimbra. The weather was wet and cool but not unbearable, rather nice for walking. We had quite a few rainy days. Take a poncho and back pack cover. A light rain jacket for afternoon and evenings when venturing outside for dinner. We also had a very light wind breaker jacket for colder days without rain. Expect the weather to change as it always does.

Enjoy the adventure.

 

[t2andreo]

Any umbrella with a long enough shaft to clear your head when stick in your sternum strap at the shoulder harness junction will provide welcome shade. I have used formal trekking umbrellas and am of the considered opinion that a conventional umbrella, in light color, provides a cost-effective portable shade screen. It is also suitable to use in light rainfall.

To mitigate the weight penalty of using the umbrella, consider using a long sleeve synthetic polo shirt in place of a fleece garment. Also, if you are using a poncho for heavy rain, a separate rain parka is redundant. Obviously, this works better for a Jun - August Camino than it would for a spring or fall Camino, when colder weather is likely.

I recommend trying something you already own. Black, dark green, navy blue, or a wine color attracts the heat from the sun. White, yellow, light green or blue do a better job at providing shade while reflecting much of the sun's heat...just sayin...

Hope this helps.

 

[Thomas77]

We will be finishing our Portugal Camino in a few days from Coimbra. The weather was wet and cool but not unbearable, rather nice for walking. We had quite a few rainy days. Take a poncho and back pack cover. A light rain jacket for afternoon and evenings when venturing outside for dinner. We also had a very light wind breaker jacket for colder days without rain. Expect the weather to change as it always does.

Enjoy the adventure.

Thank you. We will certainly be taking a poncho ! Buen Camino

 

[Thomas77]

Any umbrella with a long enough shaft to clear your head when stick in your sternum strap at the shoulder harness junction will provide welcome shade. I have used formal trekking umbrellas and am of the considered opinion that a conventional umbrella, in light color, provides a cost-effective portable shade screen. It is also suitable to use in light rainfall.

To mitigate the weight penalty of using the umbrella, consider using a long sleeve synthetic polo shirt in place of a fleece garment. Also, if you are using a poncho for heavy rain, a separate rain parka is redundant. Obviously, this works better for a Jun - August Camino than it would for a spring or fall Camino, when colder weather is likely.

I recommend trying something you already own. Black, dark green, navy blue, or a wine color attracts the heat from the sun. White, yellow, light green or blue do a better job at providing shade while reflecting much of the sun's heat...just sayin...

Hope this helps.

Thank you. Have decided to chance it and skip the umbrella but certainly use a poncho

 

[Former member 2537]

Please! Please! Please, people! We cannot talk about the *weather* 10 days from now. We *can* talk about climate. Scan through these climate tables and give yourself considerable latitude on either the wet/dry and hot/cold side is all you can do. americanpilgrims.org/internet-resources#weather

 

[Phil71]

On the Norte today at Gijon. Forecast was rain all day. My legs are burnt from the sun!

 

[Thomas77]

Thank you Phil I understand that the weather has been very unpredictable this year.

Gene 781 Thank you for highlighting the difference between weather and climate. I confirm that I was seeking a weather update from pilgrims like Phil who are currently en-route Santiago. I have read up on the climate and prepared accordingly but seeking to fine tune my packing based on feedback from pilgrims currently on the the trail. Hence it was a weather update that I was seeking. Fully appreciate that there is no guarantee it will stay that way but will take a measured risk.

 

[Phil71]

The previous week was rain every day. It's very unpredictable. Today was hot and sunny all day (Gijon).

 

[Thomas77]

Thank you Phil 71. Exactly the feedback I was seeking. Buen Camino !!

 

[Thomas77]

Thank you all for your weather input. The weather was simply fabulous walking weather - cool and sunny in patches (despite rain and showers forecast). Only encountered a slight drizzle when entering Santiago.