sugarmaple

Hello

Thinking about spending a couple of weeks, divided among Barcelona for a few days, then on to the Basque Country including San Sebastián. This would be for late September or early October.

In doing initial research on San Sebastián, the rain keeps coming up as theme. A couple of sites indicated one day of sun in every four, with precip the other days. We're not looking for a beach vacation, but I'm having a hard time really understanding what to expect.

I'm addicted to the weather channel, and I'm very familiar with averages, daily, monthly, etc, and I know that one year has nothing to do with any other year, and I know about extremes that can and do occur. I'm from Canada so I know how things vary, last winter the snow started in November and continued through to the spring, this year, not so much so far. But it is possible within those variations to make a generalization that in February one can expect snow and the coldest temperatures.

All that to say I get the weather can change in five minutes, and the historical averages may or may not mean anything for our trip, but if one had to say, is the fall generally a pleasant weather time to visit? Ten minutes of rain per day is one thing, hours on end is another. We're going mainly for the physical geography and beauty of the area and historical sites, not the food.

joannyc

Sorry that I can't help but will be following along as I will also be in those areas at the same time.

Robert2016

The weather in September-October is generally pretty nice. It rains more in late June and July, but what you're read is factual, expect some rain at least once every three days. It's why it's called "Green Spain", and a lot like the weather you'll find in the Pacific Northwest (Seattle to Vancouver B.C.).

But with global warming, who knows?

danon

We were in nearby Cantanria at that time of the year..
The weather was generally nice, but when it rained, it poured.

danon

Cantabria

sundriedtopepo

We were in San Sebastian in the latter half of September, and I sweated about the weather for months before we left. As it was, we had some rainy, gray days in Galicia, mostly nice days across Asturias and Cantabria, and very fine weather in San Seb. The whole thing was lovely.

I hate rain because I live in Vancouver, and know that when it starts here, it might not stop for a month. That doesn't seem to stop thousands of tourists coming here at all times of the year though! I guess you just need to be prepared with what to see if it's raining. And take a travel umbrella.

PS We didn't go for the food either, but we loved the food, and it was a highlight.

sugarmaple

Thanks for the replies. Just the kind of info I was looking for.

I was actually beginning to rethink plans, but I think I'll stop the second guessing and go!

HappyTrvlr

We were there in June and had steady rain. Fall sounds better. Enjoy.

isabel

I'm going in July so just checked several 'historical weather' sites. Seems to be 10-11 days of precipitation in July, August and September. Goes up from there in both directions.

kimhe

Have been here many times in September/October, and as Robert says, the weather is usually generally nice, but it's of course "Green Spain".

Weather statistics for late September/early October in San Sebastián says average highs 66-72F, rainfall every three days and average 5 hours sun pr. day. (wetteronline.de)

I have visited almost every year since 1987, and I find San Sebastián beautiful in rain, especially if it's hard and comes almost out of the blue. People flock into the bars and under the arcades, and the Belle Epoque city never looks prettier. Last year's visit was in mid/late October, mainly clear sky, just a few rain-drops, and at the end, fairly warm (about 70F).

ribeirasacra

weather? not predicable that is what is so good about it.
Rain will be no real problem only if you are made of sugar

sugarmaple

Not even in m wildest dreams.��

scrb11

I planned my trip in July just going by historical averages.

I know hotel rates are probably higher, especially if you were thinking about staying in nearby Pamplona for a couple of days.

But booked 5 nights each in San Sebastian and Llanes, with two 1-night stays in Bilbao on arrival and the night before departure.

So hoping to get at least a couple of days of sun in both the Basque and Asturian coasts and the Picos de Europa.

kimhe

scrb11,

Spanish elites have been going to the North coast and especially San Sebastián for more than 150 years mainly because of the fine summer climate, sunny, but milder than inland and in the South and of course the occasional heavy shower. Have been in San Sebastián in July some 20 times, and even though we've experienced hailstorms twice in July, the major impression after some 40-50 July weeks in San Sebastián is sunny, warm weather and lots of people socializing on the beaches almost until sunset.

Statistics for July says average highs at 70+, 7 hours sun pr. day and rainfall one in three days. It's very normal to have sun and warm most of the day and some heavy rain showers in the afternoon/evenings and then a fine sunset.
(wetteronline.de)
http://fotos.diariovasco.com/201105/...640x640x80.jpg

scrb11

Yes I'm taking a chance of getting just enough sun. I could have obviously gone to other places which are drier and even cheaper.

Also have some of your links to food in Donastia from some other threads so looking forward to reading those.