Weather in Spain or France--late August? Too hot?
Jun 20th, 2005, 04:48 PM
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Weather in Spain or France--late August? Too hot?
My wife and I have an oportunity to go to Europe in late August. We've heard that the temperature gets quite elevated during the day during this period. Is this true? We like to travel around during the day and take it easy at night. I don't think we'd enjoy sightseing if the major part of the day was quite hot.
Thank you Any other ideas will be appreciated
Thank you Any other ideas will be appreciated
Jun 20th, 2005, 05:07 PM
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it can be very hot in spain.. of course, the north is cooler than the south. so depending on where you wanted to go, you might get some relief if you were lucky. we just never know!
madrid, sevilla, barcelona, valencia.. all very hot. especially madrid and sevilla, toledo.
however.. we do have pleasant weather SOMEtimes, some days in august, so it is a toss up.
the mountain areas would tend to be cooler and there are plenty of them from the pyrenees to picos de europa, etc.
galicia is cooler, as is asturias.
all said, it is also the busiest tourist season unless you go off the beaten track and stay away from the coasts and some of the mountain recreation areas.
madrid, sevilla, barcelona, valencia.. all very hot. especially madrid and sevilla, toledo.
however.. we do have pleasant weather SOMEtimes, some days in august, so it is a toss up.
the mountain areas would tend to be cooler and there are plenty of them from the pyrenees to picos de europa, etc.
galicia is cooler, as is asturias.
all said, it is also the busiest tourist season unless you go off the beaten track and stay away from the coasts and some of the mountain recreation areas.
Jun 20th, 2005, 05:20 PM
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In August France is usually warm or hot - and many places do not have AC. Spain is usually hotter - in southern Spain it is typically 95-100 during the day.
(We were in Andalucia in late April and the weather was great - low 80's during the day and pleasantly cool at night. By the time we got to Madrid - around May 1 it was 90/95 during the day.)
Neverthe less - if this is your only opoortunity to get to France take it.
But IMHO - the best place for an August vacation in europe is Scandinavia.
(We were in Andalucia in late April and the weather was great - low 80's during the day and pleasantly cool at night. By the time we got to Madrid - around May 1 it was 90/95 during the day.)
Neverthe less - if this is your only opoortunity to get to France take it.
But IMHO - the best place for an August vacation in europe is Scandinavia.
Jun 20th, 2005, 05:40 PM
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Its generally way too hot for me, but then so is June! Avoid that large cities; I find the heat oppressive in high summer and the pollution gets quite bad.
Concentrate on the mountain areas. I was in the Basque region last July and found it perfect in the area around Ainhoa and St. Jean Pied de la Porte. It was also very nice in the Picos de Europa in Asturias in Spain. I spent a little time during August in Annecy, and it was beautiful. If your travels bring you to Northern Italy, try the Dolomites. One place in France that I am interested in visiting is the Auvergne. Some of the region is on a high plateau, so that may be cooler.
Your main problem will be that the entire populations of France, Spain and Italy take the whole month of August off, so holiday destinations are very busy.
Regards Ger
Concentrate on the mountain areas. I was in the Basque region last July and found it perfect in the area around Ainhoa and St. Jean Pied de la Porte. It was also very nice in the Picos de Europa in Asturias in Spain. I spent a little time during August in Annecy, and it was beautiful. If your travels bring you to Northern Italy, try the Dolomites. One place in France that I am interested in visiting is the Auvergne. Some of the region is on a high plateau, so that may be cooler.
Your main problem will be that the entire populations of France, Spain and Italy take the whole month of August off, so holiday destinations are very busy.
Regards Ger
Jun 20th, 2005, 05:52 PM
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I was in Paris last August around the 3rd week. The weather was very pleasant and we even had our jacket on in the evenings. The average high temperature for August in Paris is around 73F. However, there is no doubt that there could be a hot spell and it could be uncomfortable. We actually liked Paris in August because it was not as crowded and everything was open with the exception of a few restaurants and couple of shops. After Paris, we went to the Bordeaux region and St. Emilion. The weather was very nice-even foggy in the mornings but the area was full of tourists from other parts of France, Germany, Belgium, etc.
As others said, Spain would be hotter but if this is a great opportunity, I certainly wouldn't pass it up.
As others said, Spain would be hotter but if this is a great opportunity, I certainly wouldn't pass it up.
Jun 25th, 2005, 07:07 PM
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Yes it will be hot. I just got back from Southwest France and it was in the low 90s. But since I am an independant minded person who doesn't mind making a fool of herself, I carry a folding umbrella and use it to ward of the sun. The shade is bearable, but the hot direct sun is not. My husband who does not like to make a fool of himself almost got heatstoke. In any case, be sure to stay on the shady side of the street. And be warned, unless the hotel is 4 star, don't believe that they have real airconditioning. It might be a bit cooler with the air conditioning on if you are luckly to find even that, but not as cool as you might like. If you are renting a car be sure it does have airconditoning. In prior years we swore we would buy a cheap plug in fan in France and just leave it there when we left.
Jun 26th, 2005, 01:26 AM
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My experience with Spain in August: Madrid very hot (in the 90's) but also very dry; Barcelona was just as hot but much more humid.
Remember, air conditioning in the Summer is just as important as having a heated room in the Winter.
Remember, air conditioning in the Summer is just as important as having a heated room in the Winter.
Jun 26th, 2005, 04:43 AM
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Ten years ago, the weather in August in Paris was only warm at worst--in the high 70s. Today, it may get up to 100 during the day. Air conditioning is essential.
In other respects, August is a nice time of year, with clear weather and skies and a bit quieter than usual. But it is becoming so hot in summer in Paris nowadays that it can be difficult to go outside during the day, which may well render the other advantages of an August visit moot.
However, if this is your opportunity to go, then by all means, go. Just make sure you get an air-conditioned hotel or you may not even be able to sleep at night.
In other respects, August is a nice time of year, with clear weather and skies and a bit quieter than usual. But it is becoming so hot in summer in Paris nowadays that it can be difficult to go outside during the day, which may well render the other advantages of an August visit moot.
However, if this is your opportunity to go, then by all means, go. Just make sure you get an air-conditioned hotel or you may not even be able to sleep at night.
Jun 26th, 2005, 04:56 AM
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The weather at the moment is around 35-40 degrees in Spain, with some water shortages. It usually cools a little bit in August, the days are also much shorter. The moment you land in Spain, buy a fan. It is a life-saver!
