Climate - Fuenterrabia (Basque Country)

The climate of Fuenterrabía is temperate oceanic, with mild, rainy winters and pleasantly warm summers.
The city (called Hondarribia in Basque) is located in the extreme north-east of Spain and of the Basque Country, at the mouth of the Bidasoa River, beyond which lies the French city of Hendaye. Not far to the north-east are the cities of Bayonne and Biarritz. Just south of Fuenterrabía we find the Basque city of Irún.
The wind blows frequently from the ocean, and can be strong, especially in the cold half of the year. On the other hand, the warm and dry southerly wind, which descends from the Cantabrian Mountains, can cause sudden increases in temperature due to the foehn effect.
Although the climate is mild, cold waves in winter are more intense than in the rest of the northern Spanish coast, due to its proximity to France. In addition, the rains are particularly abundant.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 9.4 °C (48.9 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 21.8 °C (71.2 °F). Here are the average temperatures at the airport (which is also the airport of the city of San Sebastián).

Precipitation amounts to 1,650 millimeters (65 inches) per year: it is therefore abundant. It ranges from 85 mm (3.3 in) in the driest month (July) to 190 mm (7.5 in) in the wettest (November). The rains are more abundant than in the rest of the Spanish north coast. To find other cities so rainy, you have to go to the west coast of Galicia (see Pontevedra, Vigo). Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is mild and rainy. Atlantic disturbances regularly pass over northern Spain, bringing rain and cloudy skies.
With the wind from the south, the temperature can exceed 20 °C (68 °F) even in the middle of winter.
There may also be cold spells, although they are quite rare. Generally, on the coldest nights of the year, there are only slight frosts, but sometimes it can get very cold. In February 1956, the temperature dropped to -13 °C (8.5 °F), while in January 1985, it dropped to -12 °C (10.5 °F). From 2000 to 2020, it dropped to -7 °C (19.5 °F) in December 2001 and to -5.5 °C (22 °F) in February 2012.
Snow is rare, however, from time to time, the beaches can be whitened by snow, as happened in February 1996 and February 2018.

The summer, from June to August or mid-September, is pleasantly warm, with some cool days, and others warmer. The rains are quite frequent even in this season, and the sun doesn't shine very often.
Occasionally, the southerly wind can bring intense heat, usually only for a day or two. On the hottest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 35 °C (95 °F), but can sometimes reach 38/40 °C (100/104 °F). In July 2020, with 42 °C (107.5 °F), the previous record was broken, 40.5 °C (105 °F) dating back to July 1995.



On average, there are around 1,740 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature ranges between 12 °C (54 °F) and 22 °C (72 °F). The sea is cool even in summer, although it is a little less cool than in Galicia and Asturias. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Fuenterrabía is from June to mid-September, since it is the mildest and least rainy of the year.
To go to the beach, the preferable months are July and August (and the beginning of September if the weather is good).

Back to the Basque Country.

Fuenterrabia - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Fuenterrabia is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) and a maximum of 13.2 °C (55.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.6 °C (23.7 °F) in January 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) in January 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Fuenterrabia is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.6 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 5.4 °C (41.8 °F) and a maximum of 13.8 °C (56.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -5.4 °C (22.3 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 27.6 °C (81.7 °F) in February 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Fuenterrabia is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.9 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 7.6 °C (45.7 °F) and a maximum of 16.2 °C (61.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5 °C (23 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in March 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Fuenterrabia is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.6 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 9.3 °C (48.8 °F) and a maximum of 17.8 °C (64 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to 0.5 °C (32.9 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 32.4 °C (90.3 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (56 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Fuenterrabia is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.6 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 12.3 °C (54.2 °F) and a maximum of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in May 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 36.6 °C (97.9 °F) in May 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Fuenterrabia is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.3 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 15.3 °C (59.6 °F) and a maximum of 23.2 °C (73.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46.4 °F) in June 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 39.8 °C (103.6 °F) in June 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Fuenterrabia is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.3 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F) and a maximum of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 11 °C (51.8 °F) in July 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 42.2 °C (108 °F) in July 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (69.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Fuenterrabia is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.8 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 17.8 °C (64 °F) and a maximum of 25.9 °C (78.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.4 °C (50.7 °F) in August 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in August 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Fuenterrabia is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.6 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 15.3 °C (59.5 °F) and a maximum of 24 °C (75.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50 °F). However, it dropped to 7.3 °C (45.1 °F) in September 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Fuenterrabia is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.7 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 12.5 °C (54.4 °F) and a maximum of 21 °C (69.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 0.8 °C (33.4 °F) in October 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83 °F). However, it reached 32.5 °C (90.5 °F) in October 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 165 mm (6.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Fuenterrabia is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.4 °F) and a maximum of 16.3 °C (61.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -2.6 °C (27.3 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 29.4 °C (84.9 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 190 mm (7.5 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Fuenterrabia is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.1 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 6.2 °C (43.2 °F) and a maximum of 13.9 °C (57 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -7.2 °C (19 °F) in December 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 24.2 °C (75.6 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 175 mm (6.9 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.