So, what's the weather like in the Pyrenees?
A question we get asked a lot and obviously there is no guarantee
for any month. We have put together tables below to give you an idea
of the different times of year, we hope this gives you a good guide
line of the weather.
We are situated in the centre of the Pyrenees in the centre of the
two coasts meaning that normally any bad weather which comes off the
Atlantic fades out before it gets to us so we enjoy a better climate
than the West of the Pyrenees and a cooler climate than the East.
Does it Rain a lot? It can be a wet climate sometimes (but
not as wet as the UK) and this is what makes the Pyrenees a green and
lush region and not a desert. In general when it does rain it does
not rain for long periods, in the Spring it is normal to get rain through
the night and early morning clearing up by mid morning in the Summer
it is normal to rain and thunderstorm in the evenings, these storms
pass quick and are good to dampen the ground and to keep things fresh.
The area and trails have good drainage; roads and trails dry out very
quickly.
Summers can be hot but in the mountains you have lots of shade
and the temperature can drop by 1 degree for every 100 meters of height
gain so in general the Summer temperatures are comfortable in the mountains.
Do we get snow in the Winter? Our accommodation is at a height
level of 455meters the average snow line in this area is 1200m-1400m
meaning that we very rarely see snow in the lower valleys leaving lots
of trails and roads open 12 months of the year. And the given fun in
the winter of driving 20min up the valley and you are in the snow.
January-Mid February |
|
Average temperature- 5°c to 8°c |
|
Max temperature- 18°c |
|
Average Snow Line-1200 meters |
|
Dusk -18.00hrs-18.30hrs |
|
Walking- Lower trails are leaf covered and can be damp,
great views through the trees of the valleys. Higher trials require
snowshoes |
|
Road biking- Roads normally snow free between 400m-1200m,
lower Cols are up to 1000m but cold on descents |
|
Mountain biking- All valley trails open below
1200m can be leaf covered |
|
Other Activities
- Skiing, Snowboarding, Cross country skiing
- Husky Sledging
- Horse riding lower valleys
|
|
General- January is normally the coldest month of the
year with blue sky days. Temperatures can fall quickly. Good
layer clothing system is required. Possibility of snow lower
in the valleys but clears quickly
|
Mid February -Mid March |
|
Average temperature- 10°c to13°c |
|
Max temperature- 23°c |
|
Average Snow Line-1600 meters |
|
Dusk- 19.00hrs -19.30hrs |
|
Walking- Lower trails are becoming clearer of leaves
and are less damp, higher trails require snowshoes |
|
Road biking- Lower valley roads snow free, some of the
mid level Cols are open for riding |
|
Mountain biking- All valley trails are open below
1600m , conditions normally good but can be slightly damp |
|
Other Activities
- Skiing, Snowboarding, Cross country skiing
- Husky Sledging
- Horse riding lower valleys
|
|
General- The days are starting to get longer and warmer,
you still need layer systems as temps can drop quickly
|
Mid March-Mid April |
|
Average temperature- 10°c to 15°c |
|
Max temperature- 28°c |
|
Average Snow Line-1800 meters |
|
Dusk- 20.00hrs-20.30hrs |
|
Walking- Lower trails generally good condition, higher
trails becoming clearer but can have snow in shaded areas, may
need snow shoes |
|
Road biking- Good comfortable conditions, most of the
cols are open up to 1300m , descending can be cold |
|
Mountain biking- All lower trails are open and
80%-90% of the higher trails are rid able. Possibility to come
across snow patches in the shaded areas higher up. |
|
Other Activities
- Skiing, Snowboarding, Cross country skiing (Normally the
Spanish ski resorts are the only ones open this time of year
as they are deeper in the mountains)
- Horse riding lower valleys
|
|
General- This period it is normal to be starting to wear
shorts on the bike, Great time of year when the buds are opening
and the mountain sides becoming greener and changing daily. The
feel of Spring is in the air.
|
Mid April- End of May |
|
Average temperature- 15°c to 20°c |
|
Max temperature- 30°c |
|
Average Snow Line-2000 meters |
|
Dusk- 20.30hrs-21.00hrs |
|
Walking- All trails are open, may need snow shoes above
2000 meters |
|
Road biking- good conditions, Cols open up to 1800-2000meters |
|
Mountain biking- All trails are open and normally
everything is 100% |
|
Other Activities
- Horse riding lower valleys
- Rock climbing
|
|
General- Some days in this period have the habit of starting
off wet but generally clears up by mid morning leaving blue sky
afternoons
Roads and trails dry out fast due to the warmer weather
|
June, July and August |
|
Average temperature- 23°c to 26°c |
|
Max temperature- 35°c |
|
Average Snow Line-3000 meters |
|
Dusk- 21.30hrs-22.00hrs |
|
Walking- All trails open, good conditions |
|
Road biking- All roads and Cols open |
|
Mountain biking- All trails are open and 100% |
|
Other Activities
- Horse riding
- Rock Climbing
|
|
General- In the lower valleys and plains it can get hot
but you will find lots of shade in the forests. In the higher
mountains and ridges is cooler and can have a fresh wind.
It is normal to have thunderstorms in the evenings but these
pass quickly.
|
September and October |
|
Average temperature- 20°c to 23°c |
|
Max temperature- 30°c |
|
Average Snow Line- 3000 meters |
|
Dusk- 19.30hrs-19.00 |
|
Walking- all trails are open ( Rutting season) |
|
Road biking- All roads and Cols are open, wind factor
can be cold on descending |
|
Mountain biking- All trails are open and 100%
. |
|
Other Activities
- Horse riding
- Rock climbing
|
|
General- Normally fresh early morning, warming up through
mid morning blue sky days and then getting cold late evening.
One of the most settled periods for weather
|
November and December |
|
Average temperature- 10°c to 15°c |
|
Max temperature- 20° c |
|
Average Snow Line-1600 meters |
|
Dusk- 17.30hrs - 18.00hrs |
|
Walking- Lower trails open but can snow above 1600m |
|
Road biking- Lower valley roads and Cols are good for
riding up to 1300m, above this Cols are too cold normally to
descend. |
|
Mountain biking- All trails are open but start
to become covered in leaves |
|
Other Activities
- Skiing, Snowboarding, Cross country skiing (Late December)
- Horse riding lower valleys
|
|
General- Weather can be very changeable, it is possible
to have days of 20 c and the temperatures can also drop dramatically. |
|
