Skip to main content

 Climates to travel
 World climate guide
 
 
 Home

 Africa

 N.America

 S.America

 Antarctica

 Asia

 Caribbean

 Europe

 M.East

 Oceania

 All the countries
 Home

 Africa

 N.America

 S.America

 Antarctica

 Asia

 Caribbean

 Europe

 M.East

 Oceania

 All the countries

Climate - Basque Country (Spain)


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours

Flag - Spain

Basque Country, map


You are here: Home --> Europe --> Spain --> Basque Country


Share this page:
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Email



Index


  • Introduction
  • The cities - Bilbao, San Sebastian, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Logroño
  • Sea temperature
  • Best Time

Introduction


In the Basque Country (Euskadi in Basque, or País Vasco in Spanish), an autonomous community in northern Spain, the climate is cool and damp on the coast because of the influence of the Atlantic ocean, while in inland areas, it becomes colder with increasing altitude, and a little more continental (therefore warmer in summer) and more arid in the south.
Along the coast, the wind blows frequently, in fact, there are beaches frequented by surfers.
Winter is quite mild on the coast, but cold air masses from the northeast can sometimes bring cold periods, when it can even snow, and night frosts may occur, typically light. This happens more easily in the eastern part of the coast (see San Sebastián) than in the west (see Bilbao).
Rainfall is quite abundant in the northern part of the Basque Country, where it typically exceeds 1,000 millimeters (40 inches) per year; in the central part, instead, it drops below 800 mm (31.5 in), and in the far south, where the landscape is much more arid, even below 500 mm (20 in). Summer is everywhere the least rainy season.
In the interior, we find hills and mountains: the Basque Mountains, which are part of the Cantabrian Mountains, separate the cool and damp part of Spain from the arid plateau (Meseta); the highest point is the Aizkorri massif, which reaches 1,551 meters (5,089 feet).
The wind that comes down from the mountains can cause rapid increases in temperature due to the föhn effect: in these cases, along the coast, the temperature can exceed 20 °C (68 °F) in winter, 30 °C (86 °F) in autumn and spring, and 35 °C (95 °F) in summer, when, however, this wind is rare.
The coast, overlooking the Bay of Biscay (or Vizcaya) is indented, and characterized by cliffs that plunge into the sea and by caves, though there are also beaches.
On average, the amount of sunshine in the Basque Country is never very good, at least in the northern and central part: in July and August, there are 6/7 hours of sunshine per day in Bilbao and San Sebastián, and 7/8 in Vitoria; in the other seasons, and especially in late autumn and winter, it is even worse, and the sky is often cloudy. On the contrary, in the south, in the valley of the Ebro, summer is sunny.
Here are the average daily sunshine hours in Bilbao.
Bilbao - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January2.585
February3.595
March4.5130
April4.5140
May5.5170
June6180
July6185
August6180
September5.5160
October4125
November390
December2.580
Year4.41620

The cities


Bilbao

In the west, a short distance from the coast, we find Bilbao: here, the monthly average temperature ranges from 9.5 °C (49 °F) in January to 21 °C (70 °F) in August; rainfall amounts to almost 1,200 mm (47 in) per year, with a maximum in November of 145 mm (5.7 in) and a minimum in July of 50 mm (2 in), when, however, there are quite frequent drizzles and short showers.

San Sebastian

In the eastern part of the coast, we find San Sebastián. Here, the average temperature ranges from 8.5 °C (47.5 °F) in January to 20 °C (68 °F) in August. Although the winter temperatures are typically mild, as mentioned, this eastern part of the coast is more exposed to cold air outbreaks, and consequently, to snow and frost. In January 1985, the temperature dropped to -9 °C (16 °F), and in February 2012, to -5 °C (23 °F). In summer, although the temperatures are generally mild, there may be short heat waves. In August 2003, the temperatures reached 38.6 °C (101.5 °F).
Here are the average temperatures in the Igueldo station.
San Sebastian - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January6.211.18.6435247.6
February611.68.8435347.8
March7.713.610.6465651.2
April8.815.112485953.5
May11.41814.7536458.5
June14.220.317.2586963
July16.32219.2617266.5
August16.822.919.8627367.7
September14.921.218597064.5
October12.618.615.6556560.1
November914.111.6485752.8
December711.99.4455349
Year10.916.713.851.762.157

Rainfall in San Sebastián amounts to 1,500 mm (60 in) per year: we are in the wettest area of the coast. At the Hondarribia airport, slightly further to the east and at the border with France, it reaches 1,650 mm (65 in). Summer is the least rainy season, but it still rains for 10/11 days per month, and the amount does not drop below 85 mm (3.3 in) in July.
Here is the average precipitation.
San Sebastian - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January1405.513
February1104.312
March1154.512
April1405.514
May1204.712
June903.511
July853.310
August1154.511
September1104.310
October1606.312
November1706.713
December1505.913
Year151059.4142

La Zurriola, beach

In the central part of the Basque Country, in the area called Llanada Alavesa, the weather gets colder in winter and a bit warmer on summer days.

Vitoria-Gasteiz

In Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital, located at 500 meters (1,600 feet) above sea level, winter is cold enough, but above all, the city is exposed to cold air invasions, which can produce snow and frost: on average, 11 days with snowfall per year occur, from November to April. In summer, the average temperatures are similar to those of the coast, although it can get hot with a higher frequency during the day, while nights are definitely cool.
Here are the average temperatures.
Vitoria Gasteiz - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January19.55.3344941.5
February0.711.15.9335242.6
March2.414.78.6365847.4
April4.116.610.4396250.6
May720.613.8456956.9
June10.224.317.2507663
July12.326.719.5548067.1
August12.427.419.9548167.9
September9.724.116.9507562.4
October7.219.213.2456755.8
November3.913.28.5395647.4
December1.69.95.7355042.3
Year6.118.212.142.964.754

Precipitation in Vitoria-Gasteiz amounts to 750 mm (29.5 in) per year; the rainiest month is November with 90 mm (3.5 in), while the driest are July, August and September with 40 mm (1.6 in).
Here is the average precipitation.
Vitoria Gasteiz - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January75310
February652.610
March652.68
April732.911
May702.89
June451.86
July401.64
August401.65
September401.66
October702.89
November903.511
December803.111
Year75029.5100

Vitoria-Gasteiz in the snow

In the southern part of the Basque Country, in the Ebro Valley (the area called Rioja Alavesa, see Laguardia), the climate acquires semi-continental characteristics, similar to those of the Meseta. In fact, it is semi-arid, since annual rainfall drops below 500 mm (20 in) per year; winters are quite cold, with a January average around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F); summers are hot, and there may be some scorching days, while nights remain pretty cool. It is an area renowned for its wine.

Logroño

Here are the average temperatures of Logroño, which is located in the same area, but on the south bank of the Ebro River, therefore in La Rioja province.
Logrono - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January2.210.46.3365143.3
February2.312.37.3365445.2
March4.516.210.4406150.7
April6.518.612.5446554.6
May9.822.916.4507361.4
June13.527.620.5568269
July15.730.423608773.5
August15.830.523.2608773.7
September12.92619.4557967
October9.220.514.9496958.7
November5.4149.7425749.4
December2.810.56.6375144
Year8.42014.247.268.157.5

In Logroño, just 435 mm (17 in) of rain fall per year, with a maximum in April and May of 50 mm (2 in) and a minimum in August of 20 mm (0.8 in). Owing to the barrier formed by the aforementioned Basque Mountains, Atlantic currents arrive with difficulty in this area, so Autumn and winter are not very rainy.
Here is the average precipitation.
Logrono - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January301.26
February2516
March301.25
April5028
May5029
June451.86
July301.24
August200.84
September2514
October401.67
November451.87
December401.67
Year43517.171

Rioja Alavesa

Sea temperature



The sea in the Basque Country is very cool, if not a bit cold, even in summer, in fact, the water temperature at its highest, from July to September, is still around 21/22 °C (70/72 °F), as you can see in the sea temperature near Bilbao.
Bilbao - Sea temperature
MonthCelsius (°C)Fahrenheit (°F)
January1355
February12.554
March12.555
April1356
May1559
June18.565
July2169
August21.571
September20.569
October1865
November15.560
December1457
Year16.361.4

Best Time


The best time to visit the Basque Country, at least the center-north, is the summer, from June to August or the first half of September, since it is the driest and sunniest period of the year. July and August are the warmest and least rainy months. Even in midsummer, you must take into account some rain, and some nights a bit cool on the coast, and a bit cold in central inland areas.
In summer, in good weather (which is not very frequent), you can take a break at the beach and sunbathe, with an air temperature often pleasant and a cool breeze from the ocean, although, as I said, the sea is a bit cold for swimming.
In the south, in the Ebro valley, which can be very hot in summer, you can go in spring and autumn, especially in May and from mid-September to mid-October, although the rains are more frequent; in autumn, the landscape occupied by vast vineyards shows spectacular colors.

Back to top


© Copyright Climatestotravel.com. 

Back to Europe --> Spain

All the countries


Share this page:
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Email

 Cities:

 Bilbao
 Fuenterrabia
 San Sebastian
 Vitoria Gasteiz

 Continents:
 Africa
 North America
 South America
 Antarctica
 Asia
 Caribbean
 Europe
 Middle East
 Oceania

Search in the website:

Home About Contact Us Link Policy
Home
About
Contact Us
Link
Policy