When will it cool down in Spain?

[Ruth Sensenig]

I’m an Alaskan girl who’s most comfortable in 55-60 degree weather, and I have been excitedly planning my Camino for October-November, thinking that I would be able to stand the temps in Spain during those months. I’m currently in Ireland enjoying those very temps and having a great time, but I leave for SJPP in less than two weeks. My weather app keeps reporting temps in the high 80s for many of the Spanish cities along the Camino, and I’m starting to fear I’ve packed all wrong for this trip. This is probably just a rhetorical question, an airing of my fears, but when will it cool down?

 

[Pafayac]

I’m an Alaskan girl who’s most comfortable in 55-60 degree weather

Celsius or Fahrenheit ?

 

[Tincatinker]

When will it cool down? Sooner or later. Weather is in a bit of a mess lately compared to climate averages. It is still pretty warm along the Camino Frances according to current reports and forecasts from https://www.aemet.es/es/eltiempo/prediccion/espana?k=cle&w=11
That said it’ll likely cool down though October. I note that night time temperatures are closer to seasonal averages 50f and below. A sleeping bag will be useful to those taking the Albergue option.

 

[Tincatinker]

Celsius or Fahrenheit ?

I guess 80 Celsius would be hot even for Hell, never mind the Meseta

 

[trecile]

Weather spark is a good site for historical weather information.

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

 

[C clearly]

I’m starting to fear I’ve packed all wrong for this trip.

If you have packed with the principle of layering lightweight items, then you should be properly equipped. In that case, I wouldn't abandon any layers since weather can change a lot over a month.

 

[Ruth Sensenig]

If you have packed with the principle of layering lightweight items, then you should be properly equipped. In that case, I wouldn't abandon any layers since weather can change a lot over a month.

I have, but I’m afraid my lightest layer isn’t light enough! It’s a really thin merino wool that’s perfect for 60-degree days, but 70+ would be pretty uncomfortable.

 

[J Willhaus]

There are stores in Spain. You can buy an inexpensive t-shirt and then leave it behind when it gets cooler.

 

[Tincatinker]

I have, but I’m afraid my lightest layer isn’t light enough! It’s a really thin merino wool that’s perfect for 60-degree days, but 70+ would be pretty uncomfortable.

It’s unseasonably warm just now. That could change easily and rapidly. I wouldn’t be concerned by your predicament. I would aim to walk early in the day and be wrapped in the shade of a nice cool bar or cafe by early afternoon when the heat starts to matter. And merino doesn’t get stinky, rinses easy and dries in a trice.

Where I live mid 70s is just a good summertime. We get the graft done in the morning and the picnicking in the afternoon.

73f here, 10pm. Heaven. I’m sat by my pond with a bottle of Rioja and a happy dog. You’ll be fine. Or just go shopping for a short sleeve merino. A couple more ounces won’t break the straps on your pack Buen Camino

 

[out2c]

From Skagway (near Juneau) I'm on C. Frances right now, and the 25-30 highs for the day, seem to peak around 4-5pm. In any case, the direct sun (starting stage 8 or so), makes me feel like oven baked chicken from 11:30 am on. I wish I had my dessert umbrella!
Suggest: long sleeve woven shirt to let the breeze through. And sun out. Everything can be bought except large Wmn 16+ sizes. I've been doing shorter days, and when sections have been booked solid- waiting a day or busing around. Not my first choice, but it's a.personal choice.
Buen Camino

 

[Ruth Sensenig]

From Skagway (near Juneau)

Buen Camino, fellow Alaskan. Hope it gets cooler for you soon. But it sounds like you’re making the best of it.

Everything can be bought except large Wmn 16+ sizes.

That’s me, so that’s a bit what I’m worried about. But I’m thinking it will all work out. Things usually do.

 

[C clearly]

my lightest layer isn’t light enough!

Suggest: long sleeve woven shirt to let the breeze through. And sun out

Or

You can buy an inexpensive t-shirt and then leave it behind when it gets cooler.

So, maybe 1 shirt could be added or exchanged at the last minute. That's not packing "all wrong"! You can wait until the day before starting and make a quick adjustment.

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Heat dome in Spain and Portugal this weekend...then it sounds like it cools a bit (but it's been a very hot year, for sure!)

Severe Weather Europe

“Follow severe weather as it happens. Anywhere. Any time.”

www.severe-weather.eu

 

[CWBuff]

There are stores in Spain. You can buy an inexpensive t-shirt and then leave it behind when it gets cooler.

What she said

 

[Saint Mike II]

Celsius or Fahrenheit ?

Whilst I signalled a laugh I thought that yes parts of the Meseta can experience day temps of 55C.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Dear Ruth, as usual the experience Forum Members have offered sensible (although humorous) advice.
Your Camino from St Jean to Santiago during the months you have advised will imho offer any range of weather conditions. It can snow in the mountains above St Jean at virtually any time of the year; Yes the Meseta (the high plain from Burgos to Leon) can have temperatures in the +30c (86F) degree range, but these can be overcome by starting early (say 30 mins after sunrise).
Note from Leon to O'Cebereiro you will encounter small mountains up to 1500m/4650ft so it should be more manageable.
By the time you reach O'Cebereiro you will be in Galicia the cooler weather should be with you.
As advised if necessary you can buy lighter clothing (there are 3 or 4 large cities on this Camino).
So my advise come prepared - a broad brim hat (not a baseball one), carry and drink two litres of water per day (that about 2 US quarts). Oh and just take your time, take a rest of 15-20 mins every two hours, more frequently on hotter days. So go forth and Buen Camino.

 

[Donna Sch]

The Gulf Stream should be further south by then. The sea temp satellite maps show it still hitting the Spanish coast but starting to move south towards Africa. The cooler weather is to the north of it which is why the UK had such a terrible summer and southern Europe has heatwaves.

 

[thejoker]

Whilst I signalled a laugh I thought that yes parts of the Meseta can experience day temps of 55C.

Really? Surely not that high?

 

[Saint Mike II]

Really? Surely not that high?

Yes in late July early August in the mid-afternoon. Here I am talking about actual direct sun temperatures. Yes temperatures over 50 are rare but not unusual. Cheers

 

[thejoker]

Yes in late July early August in the mid-afternoon. Here I am talking about actual direct sun temperatures. Yes temperatures over 50 are rare but not unusual. Cheers

So just another degree or two and it will be perfect

 

[CWBuff]

I hit 44C in early June of last year so I can believe that July/August could get crazy

 

[Kanga]

Just impossible to tell. I'm arriving on 8th October and hopefully should be OK whether it is hot or cold. I find long sleeve light merino is bearable even in hot weather, as long as it is loose fitting. But I am throwing in a short sleeve top too.

 

[Kiwi-family]

This might be a consolation: I walked the Madrid route in 2018 at the end of September, temperatures still up into the high 30s (celsius). Some of my family were joining me in Leon to do the San Salvador and Primitivo and were excitedly watching the temperatures as spring was very slow in coming to New Zealand that year and they were sitting home in winter waiting to meet me in summer. The day they arrived the temp dropped to -2 overnight!!! They were not impressed. All that to say - it can change fast.

 

[Pelegrin]

Weather forecast for autumn is warm and wet but they usually fail in this kind of forecasts

 

[ivar]

Yes, the weather has been strange lately. Today we are expected to get to 31c, 11c more than “normal”. That said, it will cool down soon.. it changes fast.

 

[JesperK]

Yes, the weather has been strange lately. Today we are expected to get to 31c, 11c more than “normal”. That said, it will cool down soon.. it changes fast.

I can confirm that. I'm in Fisterra and I just went out shopping and it's already up in the high 20's C.

But I have also walked the CF in oct-nov and have experienced anything from a sunny 35 degrees celsius to freezing snowstorm - also walking on the meseta fully covered and in addition wearing gloves, thermo underwear and facemask.

 

[hikentravel1234]

I’m an Alaskan girl who’s most comfortable in 55-60 degree weather, and I have been excitedly planning my Camino for October-November, thinking that I would be able to stand the temps in Spain during those months. I’m currently in Ireland enjoying those very temps and having a great time, but I leave for SJPP in less than two weeks. My weather app keeps reporting temps in the high 80s for many of the Spanish cities along the Camino, and I’m starting to fear I’ve packed all wrong for this trip. This is probably just a rhetorical question, an airing of my fears, but when will it cool down?

My phone shows temperature projections for 14 days out. For the cities of Pamplona, Burgos, and Leon, the high temperatures for days 10 through 14 from now are all below 70° for Sariya and Santiago 10 to 14 days from now are in the low 70s. By the time you get there however, they will be lower. You should be fine.

 

[Balzanom]

When will it cool down? Sooner or later. Weather is in a bit of a mess lately compared to climate averages. It is still pretty warm along the Camino Frances according to current reports and forecasts from https://www.aemet.es/es/eltiempo/prediccion/espana?k=cle&w=11
That said it’ll likely cool down though October. I note that night time temperatures are closer to seasonal averages 50f and below. A sleeping bag will be useful to those taking the Albergue option.

I’m in Burgos now 9/30. It’s been from 47 to 53 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning the last 2 weeks. It can get to the 60s to 80s later in the afternoon. I wear shorts with a tee shirt and an 185 weight merino wool top. The top comes off late morning usually. I’ve been very comfortable. Hat in the morning to keep the bald head warm. Comes off for a while and back on when the suns eats get warm. Good luck. Buen Camino

 

[yukonwanderer]

I’m an Alaskan girl who’s most comfortable in 55-60 degree weather, and I have been excitedly planning my Camino for October-November, thinking that I would be able to stand the temps in Spain during those months.

So happy to hear from my Alaskan neighbours on this thread, asking the real questions! I'm planning my first Camino for end Sept through October 2024 and have been watching the weather real time from the Yukon. I have been a bit worried about those 30C highs!! Wishing you a cool breeze along the Way.

 

[AnaRosario]

I have, but I’m afraid my lightest layer isn’t light enough! It’s a really thin merino wool that’s perfect for 60-degree days, but 70+ would be pretty uncomfortable.

Layer… sports bra or tankini then thin merino wool, definitely shorts right now… it is starting to cool in the night and early morning, but yes still warm during the day

 

[Anto]

Hi
I returned from Spain on the 23rd September .Walked for 8 days from Leon to O Cebreiro and went to Salamanca for a few days before returning home and found the weather in that period to be quite wet and cold compared to other years around the same time of year. Warmest I thought was about 24 degrees for a few hours 1 afternoon. Ideal for walking mind but not so great for the Salamanca break

 

[JerryStroebele]

Fellow Alaskan here. I'll be walking south from Pau, France in a week. 80sF there now but I will be carrying my trusty lightweight UV umbrella. Carry my own shade. Take off my hat when a cool breeze blows under the umbrella. Buen Camino

 

[WalkingJean]

Just impossible to tell. I'm arriving on 8th October and hopefully should be OK whether it is hot or cold. I find long sleeve light merino is bearable even in hot weather, as long as it is loose fitting. But I am throwing in a short sleeve top too.

I’m having trouble finding a long sleeve lightweight loose fitting merino shirt. They all seem to be “base layers” (read: tight fitting). Any suggestions?

 

[trecile]

I’m having trouble finding a long sleeve lightweight loose fitting merino shirt. They all seem to be “base layers” (read: tight fitting). Any suggestions?

Buy a size or two larger than normal

 

[Kanga]

I’m having trouble finding a long sleeve lightweight loose fitting merino shirt. They all seem to be “base layers” (read: tight fitting). Any suggestions?

Mine are from Aldi, in a large size. I watch for when they come on sale. If you are looking online- try searching for "long sleeve T shirts" rather than base layers, and I'd also include the words "relaxed fit" or "loose". I found these - expensive, but you can see they are not tight. A few more came up too, from Australian manufacturers, but not sure where you are.

 

[arfajajc]

Celsius or Fahrenheit ?

55-60 Celsius is 131 to 140 Fahrenheit, so unlikely she's referring to being "comfortable" at those temperatures in Celsius...

 

[arfajajc]

Yes in late July early August in the mid-afternoon. Here I am talking about actual direct sun temperatures. Yes temperatures over 50 are rare but not unusual. Cheers

Hottest temperature ever in Spain is 47.6 celsius, recorded just south of Cordoba in 2021. Temperatures over 50 C are, by definition, extremely unusual, in fact have never been recorded. We need to defer to reality.

 

[Kirkie]

I have, but I’m afraid my lightest layer isn’t light enough! It’s a really thin merino wool that’s perfect for 60-degree days, but 70+ would be pretty uncomfortable.

You are in Ireland at the moment? Check out the outdoor shops in Dublin. Cheapest might be Decathlon. Others, long standing - Great Outdoors, Base Camp, Cotswold Outdoors, Outdoor Adventure Store, Ramblers Way. There are others. Incidentally, CaminoSociety Ireland has an indormation office in Dublin. Open at present Thursday till Saturday 10.30 till 3,30 and well worth a visit. Next Saturday you could be very lucky, first to meet me as I am on duty, but also to sneak into a celebration following part 2 of a celebration walk from Bray to Dublin. It wil be followed by a fiesta. Check out the website. If you can't register, I will cede you my place...

Camino Society Ireland - All about the Camino de Santiago

The Camino Society provides Information, support and official Pilgrims Passports for the Camino de Santiago. Independent, non-commercial and All Island(Ireland).

www.caminosociety.ie

You can forward packages via correos to Santiago if you have valuable but not useful on camino clothes that you paid good money for! They will keep them for you up to one month. Otherwise, you could post them home to Alaska from Ireland, but I have no idea as to cost.
A different note, relating to wool. I use merino wool socks hail rain or shine, once I need to wear socks at all. My experience is that they are far superior to any other material. That could translate to other items of clothing. Your call...

 

[J Willhaus]

I’m having trouble finding a long sleeve lightweight loose fitting merino shirt. They all seem to be “base layers” (read: tight fitting). Any suggestions?

Try Wool&. They have a good variety for women.

 

[AllisonMarie]

I have, but I’m afraid my lightest layer isn’t light enough! It’s a really thin merino wool that’s perfect for 60-degree days, but 70+ would be pretty uncomfortable.

Hello! I am walking now and it is quite hot. That said, I also have a very light meeting will long sleeve too and it’s worked well, keeping the sun off and not too hot.

 

[Chizuru]

We were walking the Frances this time 5 years ago. Reading my diary it was incredibly hot every day ( high 30s) until after Sahagun on 10th October which is when we started to get chilly mornings, some rain, and cooler days.
I detest the heat and really struggled walking through those first 21 days but we would leave early before dawn to try and beat the hottest part of the day which was around 2 p.m. and I used my beloved Euroschirm hands-free umbrella as a sun shield which not only shaded me but enabled me to put away my hat and let my head cool down.
I also started to use Keens hiking sandals which were much cooler on my feet though my Merino socks gave me a nasty heat rash.
For the hot weather, I wore a singlet top with a lightweight loose-sleeved shirt for sun protection.

 

[arturo garcia]

That is a good question. When? When we all change our lifestyle, we are all part of the cause/problem. Every year is warmer and warmer in all Spain. Today we have an historic record of 33 degrees in Hospital de Orbigo (Never in the history of this town) In October. At some point in the near future, the albergues will have to change the heater system for an air conditioning system. This year we have use our heaters for about two weeks in total season so far, in 2015 we used them for 6 months of the 8 months season.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hottest temperature ever in Spain is 47.6 celsius, recorded just south of Cordoba in 2021. Temperatures over 50 C are, by definition, extremely unusual, in fact have never been recorded. We need to defer to reality.

What? I can’t have poetic license? Cheers

 

[AKBee]

I am walking the Kerry way today and I too will be finishing my Camino in Spain in couple of weeks. I am thinking if it is hot to leaving a bag at Ivar’s of the warmer weather gear. I will be walking the Ingles route so expecting rain more then heat. Buen Camino

 

[Ruth Sensenig]

You are in Ireland at the moment? Check out the outdoor shops in Dublin. Cheapest might be Decathlon. Others, long standing - Great Outdoors, Base Camp, Cotswold Outdoors, Outdoor Adventure Store, Ramblers Way. There are others. Incidentally, CaminoSociety Ireland has an indormation office in Dublin. Open at present Thursday till Saturday 10.30 till 3,30 and well worth a visit. Next Saturday you could be very lucky, first to meet me as I am on duty, but also to sneak into a celebration following part 2 of a celebration walk from Bray to Dublin. It wil be followed by a fiesta. Check out the website. If you can't register, I will cede you my place...

Wow, that sounds fun! Had I known of it sooner…but I’ll be in Northern Ireland by Saturday to hear a music group perform in Belfast. Thanks so much for the invite, though. And I’m with you on wool socks. It’s all I wear back home even for ordinary life.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I’m an Alaskan girl who’s most comfortable in 55-60 degree weather, and I have been excitedly planning my Camino for October-November, thinking that I would be able to stand the temps in Spain during those months. I’m currently in Ireland enjoying those very temps and having a great time, but I leave for SJPP in less than two weeks. My weather app keeps reporting temps in the high 80s for many of the Spanish cities along the Camino, and I’m starting to fear I’ve packed all wrong for this trip. This is probably just a rhetorical question, an airing of my fears, but when will it cool down?

Impossible to know in advance, but there is a very lengthy heat wave in Europe which I think is global ,and to have been caused by a massive underwater volcanic eruption, and if so this unusually hot weather will last until about 2025, and so until the extra water vapor in the atmosphere comes down as rain.

https://www.science.org/content/article/massive-undersea-eruption-filled-atmosphere-water

In any case, this heat wave started in 2021, and seems to be continuing, with its own seasonality.

October-November should be OK though, they were last year.

But be prepared, bring a woollen jumper just in case, and rain kit will be a must for Galicia at the very least.

 

[Ruth Sensenig]

Thanks, all, for the advice, commiseration, etc. I’m sure things will all work out. The Camino will be a stretch for me mentally and physically and spiritually as it is, so the potential heat will just be one more challenge to help me rely on God as I walk.

Buen Camino to those of you out there now or soon.

 

[arfajajc]

What? I can’t have poetic license? Cheers

Poetic license vs reality...

 

[Ruth Sensenig]

What? I can’t have poetic license? Cheers

You can, but you must be writing a poem.

 

[JabbaPapa]

You can, but you must be writing a poem.

It starts :

The Rain in Spain falls Mainly on Galicia ...

 

[WalkingJean]

Mine are from Aldi, in a large size. I watch for when they come on sale. If you are looking online- try searching for "long sleeve T shirts" rather than base layers, and I'd also include the words "relaxed fit" or "loose". I found these - expensive, but you can see they are not tight. A few more came up too, from Australian manufacturers, but not sure where you are.

Looks like there are more options in Australia. I’m in the USA

 

[trecile]

Impossible to know in advance, but there is a very lengthy heat wave in Europe which I think is global ,and to have been caused by a massive underwater volcanic eruption, and if so this unusually hot weather will last until about 2025, and so until the extra water vapor in the atmosphere comes down as rain.

I haven't heard anything about the underwater volcanos, but another factor contributing to hot weather is the solar cycle - usually about 11 years in which solar activity increases and decreases. The next solar maximum is predicted for July 2025.

Hello Solar Cycle 25

www.weather.gov

 

[Beedel]

I’m an Alaskan girl who’s most comfortable in 55-60 degree weather, and I have been excitedly planning my Camino for October-November, thinking that I would be able to stand the temps in Spain during those months. I’m currently in Ireland enjoying those very temps and having a great time, but I leave for SJPP in less than two weeks. My weather app keeps reporting temps in the high 80s for many of the Spanish cities along the Camino, and I’m starting to fear I’ve packed all wrong for this trip. This is probably just a rhetorical question, an airing of my fears, but when will it cool down?

My concerns as well! I am beginning Oc. 18. The best to both of us!

 

[Kathy F.]

When will it cool down?
Is this the start of a thread on climate change??

 

[RJM]

Pack for whatever the weather is for the Camino at the time go there. If it gets colder buy a fleece pullover when you can on the Camino.
Not that big a deal. Nothing to stress about.