Weather warning week of 23 June

[naplesdon]

There’s very dangerous heat wave moving north from Africa this week. Temperatures will be at least 35c (high 90’s F) and reaching well above 40c (102 F) on Thursday and Friday across a large part of Spain and France

 

[lt56ny]

A harbinger of things to come from what I have read.

 

[peregrino_tom]

If you're walking this week, don't let the hype scare you, but do take all the standard precautions: extra water and electrolytes, moderate your daily distance ambitions, start and finish early etc. - be careful out there.

UK Guardian online today: ' “El infierno [hell] is coming,” tweeted the TV meteorologist Silvia Laplana in Spain, where the AEMET weather service forecast temperatures of 42C by Thursday in the Ebro, Tagus, Guadiana and Guadalquivir valleys and warned of an “extreme risk” of forest fires.'

 

[grayland]

That is the normal daily temperture here in Tucson, Arizona. 104F today.. forecast 107F Wednesday.
What is the problem?

EDIT Added: This was intended as a tongue in cheek...I do not mean to minimize the heat problem currently on the Camino

 

[Deleted member 397]

That is the normal daily temperture here in Tucson.
What is the problem?

Oz in summer too!....why do people walk now if they are scared of a little heat? !

 

[annakappa]

That is the normal daily temperture here in Tucson, Arizona. 104F today.. forecast 107F Wednesday.
What is the problem?
[/QUOTE
What's the problem? The great problem is that you people have something called air conditioning! You will all be inside - either at home, at work, in a shopping center, at school or in an air conditioned car!
Also, I doubt that you will all be doing a 22km walk tomorrow!

 

[grayland]

[/QUOTE
What's the problem? The great problem is that you people have something called air conditioning! You will all be inside - either at home, at work, in a shopping center, at school or in an air conditioned car!
Also, I doubt that you will all be doing a 22km walk tomorrow!


Actually...I did walk 28km a day ago..I started early but it was hot very quickly.
It reminds me of walking the Via de la Plata in August a few years ago.

We really do not have good alternatives unless we just stop walking.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Usta. As in I use to.

I usta walk all day and always found a bed.

 

[MichelleO]

That is the normal daily temperture here in Tucson, Arizona. 104F today.. forecast 107F Wednesday.
What is the problem?

Oz in summer too!....why do people walk now if they are scared of a little heat? !

The problem is the first day, uphill, all the way to Roncesvalles. It's also the fact that there aren't air-conditioners in many Albergues. Too hot to sleep and too hot to walk......go later in the year.

 

[Kathor1]

That is the normal daily temperture here in Tucson.
What is the problem?

It's the nature of heatwaves: it's doesn't mean that it will get hot. It means that it will get a lot hotter than usual at that time of the year in that region. I can't speak for Spain but in some European media the pre-heatwave hype has reached astonishing levels.

Also, the majority of our homes don't have air conditioning and many don't even have shutters for their windows.

 

[CWBuff]

I am not Live on the Camino, in fact I am sitting in the A\C'd room and looking at some rain showers (although the temps are suppose to get into 90F/30C)
However, I came accross this report:
A potentially historic heat wave is hitting Europe -- one expected to last all week with temperatures as high as 104 degrees. In Spain, a meteorologist says it will feel like “hell.” In France, more than half of the country was placed on an orange alert for “intense heat” on Monday that continues today.
My Prayers and Well Wishes are with all Fellow Pilgrims ("True" and otherwise ) for their safety. Please use caution, drink plenty of fluids (preferably non-A.... at least while walking) and take breaks!
Buen Camino!

 

[Sho]

It was 95 or 96 in Basel today--I definitely felt the force of the sun.

 

[annakappa]

The problem is the first day, uphill, all the way to Roncesvalles. It's also the fact that there aren't air-conditioners in many Albergues. Too hot to sleep and too hot to walk......go later in the year.

Of course there aren’t air conditioners in albergues! That is a luxury item!

 

[Kathor1]

It was 95 or 96 in Basel today--I definitely felt the force of the sun.

That converts to 35 ... I noticed on today’s map on https://www.meteoalarm.eu/ that Switzerland was the only country with regions on the highest alarm level (red). It doesn’t mean that it’s the hottest there but that it is more unusually hot there than elsewhere. An oddity is also, it seems, that temperatures at altitude are so high. I checked the current forecast for the pass on the Route Napeleon and thought “wow”. I wonder what it’s like to walk there at the moment. I guess there’s a bit of cooling wind but there’s no shade for much of the ascent.

Did you notice the Sahara dust in the air ? It’s apparently quite visible from mountain tops in Switzerland.

 

[domigee]

It was 36 deg C in Chamonix today (Apparently. I am not there!).
I walked in Italy through the heatwave ‘Lucifer’ 2 years ago. I hope I won’t have a repeat experience this year
Take care, all of you already walking.
The French are taking this very seriously indeed as in 2003, so many died... It was a kind of wake-up call
People are more used to it in Spain... And there is always the ‘abanico’

 

[Kathor1]

One of the most important things to know - not only during a heat wave - for those of us who are not used to such conditions is the fact that maximum temperatures may be reached long after midday and they may last into the evening. I learnt this lesson in the southwest of France when I thought, around 1 o'clock, ok, it feels quite hot, I'll have a long rest in the shade now and then continue after 2 o'clock or so. Oh boy, was that a bad idea.

As an example, today's severe weather warnings from Aemet.es for central Navarra where Pamplona is: expected maximum temperature is 39 ºC (and that's in the shade) from 2 pm until 8 pm.

 

[Deleted member 397]

As it happens im on holiday in italy prior to my granada camino. It's around 35 but ive still been out and about...as have thousands of others in rome....well into the arvo. Sometimes for 6 hours which on a camino would equate to 30kms...half of which would be in the hottest part of the day. Sure i was thirsty but on the camino there would be dire warnings about walking in this heat but apart from carrying a backpack...what's the difference? I generally start out 8 to 8.30, later if it's a short distance and aim to finish around 1..hours before it's really hot. I've looked at granada weather for early june..max is 30 min 18 for most days...balmy weather!

 

[Kathor1]

EDIT Added: This was intended as a tongue in cheek...I do not mean to minimize the heat problem currently on the Camino

I understood that but it didn't stop me from adding a more serious comment .

As others have said already, there has been quite a hype in the media about this ""infernal"" heatwave. Otoh, as others have also said already, the authorities in various countries are taking this more seriously in view of the "excess mortality rate" in previous years, as it is called, in particular among older people, due to the fact that neither they nor the people were prepared for such high temperatures lasting for a longer period of time. Those of you who are used to such temperatures must be following all this with the same mixture of concern and amusement as I do when there's a big fuss in some countries about a few snow flakes falling to the ground. I'm used to snow in winter and temperatures quite a bit below zero, they aren't.

 

[CWBuff]

One of the most important things to know - not only during a heat wave - for those of us who are not used to such conditions is the fact that maximum temperatures may be reached long after midday and they may last into the evening.

Agreed wholeheartedly.
Always amuses me when people look at the weather prognosis and just notice the 'daily high' and thats it.
the fact that it may come at the time of the day totally different from what may perceive somehow escapes them. (i.e. winter time - high of say 50F\10C...and everyone thinks 1-2pm but it could be like 6am)

 

[Pelegrin]

Temp for Friday in Madrid 40° C, in Santiago 23° C. Apparently, Galicia will remain outside the wave heat this time.

 

[trecile]

Fortunately for those who are near Santiago it looks like Galicia is being spared this time.

 

[Sho]

Haven't noticed Saharan dust, but today was good practice for the Camino in Zermatt, walking uphill in the heat. (And tonight is good practice as well--there's a noisy street fair and my window is closed to keep out the cigarette smoke.)

 

[Kathor1]

I had a look at yesterday's temperatures for Burgos airport, Belorado, Virgen del Camino, and Roncesvalles. These temperatures are measured at the Aemet meteorological stations, it will feel hotter when you walk in the sun. You see the typical increase during the day with peak periods in early to late afternoon.

Virgen del Camino with a peak at 27 ºC (81 ºF) doesn't look too bad, Belorado and Burgos topped out around 35 ºC (95 ºF). I was surprised about Roncesvalles with the peak at 32 ºC (90 ºF) - surely this must be unusual?

 

[Kathor1]

today was good practice for the Camino in Zermatt, walking uphill in the heat

Sigh, yearn, wish I was there ☺ ... we crossed from Italy once on the Theodul glacier and I've been on the Breithorn a few times. Is it all melting right now???

PS: Just realised that Theodul is yet another saint and I also knew that the pass has been used since Neolithic and Roman times. You may be walking where pilgrims walked before.

 

[Sho]

I appreciate that unlike my ancient predecessors, I have a train, especially in this heat. Still 95°F (35°C) at 5:30 pm here, and the local train was hotter than that!

 

[domigee]

I’ve been checking temperatures in Spain and Italy and they don’t seem unusual to me for that time of year (on a hot year that is ). The significant difference though is in France, 40 deg + in some places, that is definitely not the norm...
I’m going to stop worrying, it may never happen

 

[Mei Li]

I’ve been checking temperatures in Spain and Italy and they don’t seem unusual to me for that time of year (on a hot year that is ). The significant difference though is in France, 40 deg + in some places, that is definitely not the norm...
I’m going to stop worrying, it may never happen

Thank you for this message. My family and I will be walking the Sarria to SDC stretch July 12-17 and are first time walkers. We are a little alarmed by the news

 

[BiggPapa]

That is the normal daily temperture here in Tucson, Arizona. 104F today.. forecast 107F Wednesday.
What is the problem?

EDIT Added: This was intended as a tongue in cheek...I do not mean to minimize the heat problem currently on the Camino

And how often are you out walking 8 - 15 miles with your backpack in those temperatures? Not a smart reply, even in jest.

 

[grayland]

And how often are you out walking 8 - 15 miles with your backpack in those temperatures? Not a smart reply, even in jest.

I am not exactly sure of your meaning. Why is it not a "smart repy"?

To answer the question as to how often I am walking 8-15 miles now......I walked 9 miles today. Started at 6:30 am and finished a little after noon. The temperature was 80F when I started and 104 F when I got home. I am prepared for it and in no danger. It is not enjoyable...but I am safe. I walk about every 2-3 days.

 

[Former member 49149]

Good news, from a friend in Pamplona: about 21.00 yesterday the temperature had dropped from 37 to 22 inside half an hour. This week is supposed to be cooler.

 

[Cpthavoc]

Same here in the Ardèche mountains a couple of days from Le Puy - temperature down to 27 from 38. Was drinking about 5 litres which possibly wasn’t enough as would feel cold towards the end of the walk. Possibly mild heat exhaustion?

 

[K Turner]

I am not exactly sure of your meaning. Why is it not a "smart repy"?

To answer the question as to how often I am walking 8-15 miles now......I walked 9 miles today. Started at 6:30 am and finished a little after noon. The temperature was 80F when I started and 104 F when I got home. I am prepared for it and in no danger. It is not enjoyable...but I am safe. I walk about every 2-3 days.

I'm also in Tucson and do the same. I start when it's dark out. I switched recently from Madera Canyon hikes to Summerhaven. I'm a fan of breathing and just had too hard a time at Madera in this heat!