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Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
The climate of Santiago de Compostela is
temperate oceanic, being strongly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, with mild, rainy winters and mild or pleasantly warm summers.
The city, a famous pilgrimage destination, is the capital of Galicia and is located in the north-west of Spain, at an altitude of 260 meters (850 feet).
The
wind blows frequently, and can be strong, especially between October and April.
Fog is another feature of this climate: it can form all year round, when there is no wind, and even on summer nights.
The daily average
temperature ranges from 8 °C (46.5 °F) in January and February to 19 °C (66 °F) in July and August.
Rainfall is abundant, and amounts to 1,900 millimeters (75 inches) per year; it reaches or exceeds 200 mm (8 in) per month from November to February. The rains are also frequent, especially from October to May.
Winter, from December to February, is quite mild, but it is also cloudy, rainy and windy. Although the temperature is generally not very low, the humidity (it often rains, or there is fog) and the wind increase the feeling of cold.
Very cold days are rare, however, there can sometimes be light frosts at night.
However, we cannot rule out
very cold periods, which generally last a short time. The coldest record is -9 °C (16 °F) and was recorded in February 1948. Thereafter, the temperature dropped to -7 °C (19.5 °F) in January 1971, and to -6 °C (21 °F) in February 1956, January 1985 and December 2001.
Snow in Santiago de Compostela is rare. Some snowfalls can be observed every year or or nearly so, however, it is rare that snow whitens the ground, and even when it does, it tends to last a short time, because the temperature almost always exceeds 5/6 °C (41/43 °F) during the day.
Spring, from March to May, is cool, humid and rainy. Atlantic weather fronts pass regularly, and the wind blows frequently. At night, it can get cold also in May. But over the weeks, especially by mid-April, the first mild and sunny periods occur, thanks to the Azores Anticyclone.
Summer, from June to August, is mild or pleasantly warm during the day and cool at night. Fog often forms at night and in the early morning. Sometimes at night, it can get quite cool even in summer, since the temperature can drop below 10 °C (50 °F).
The Azores anticyclone can bring some sunny periods, but there are also periods when the Atlantic currents prevail, which bring rainy or variable days, and cool temperatures.
Every now and then, there may be
hot days. On average, there are 13 days a year with more than 30 °C (86 °F), and only one with more than 35 °C (95 °F). The heat record is 39.5 °C (103 °F) and was recorded in July 1990. Later, the temperature reached 39 °C (102 °F) in August 2003 and early September 2016.
Autumn, from September to November, is cool, humid and rainy. In September, especially in the first part, there are still many sunny days, with almost summer-like weather. Sometimes, this happens also in early October.
The amount of
sunshine in Santiago de Compostela is good in summer, when fine weather predominates (but not as often as in central-southern Spain), while in the other seasons, and especially in late autumn and winter, the sky is often cloudy.
Along the northwest coast of Spain, and not far from Santiago de Compostela, the
sea is a bit cold even in summer.
Best Time
The
best time to visit Santiago de Compostela is 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. Some rain must be put into account also in midsummer, and some nights a little cold. Those who suffer from the heat, in order to avoid the albeit rare hot days, can choose the months of May (especially the second half), June and September (especially the first half), keeping in mind, however, that it could rain more frequently.
For the
Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago), you can choose the same summer period if you intend to travel the north coast or the shorter routes in the vicinity of Santiago, since in these areas, very hot days are rare and sporadic.
If you take the French or Portuguese route, you can exclude the period from June to September, which can be very hot.
If you take one of the paths that start from the south, where the heat is more intense and lasts longer, you can choose the month of April, and the period from mid-October to mid-November.
Back to
Galicia.
Santiago De Compostela - Climate data
In Santiago De Compostela, the
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of
7.8 °C, that of the warmest month (August) is of
19.2 °C. Here are the average temperatures.
Santiago De Compostela - Average temperatures (1991-2020) |
| Month | Min | Max | Mean |
|---|
| January | 4.1 | 11.5 | 7.8 |
|---|
| February | 3.9 | 12.7 | 8.3 |
|---|
| March | 5.2 | 15.3 | 10.3 |
|---|
| April | 6.3 | 16.7 | 11.5 |
|---|
| May | 8.7 | 19.6 | 14.2 |
|---|
| June | 11.2 | 22.6 | 16.9 |
|---|
| July | 12.9 | 24.7 | 18.8 |
|---|
| August | 13.3 | 25 | 19.2 |
|---|
| September | 11.8 | 22.9 | 17.4 |
|---|
| October | 9.6 | 18.6 | 14.1 |
|---|
| November | 6.5 | 14.1 | 10.3 |
|---|
| December | 4.9 | 12.2 | 8.5 |
|---|
| Year | 8.2 | 18 | 13.1 |
|---|
amounts to
1890 millimeters per year: it is therefore abundant. It ranges from
40 millimeters in the driest month (July) to
280 millimeters in the wettest one (December). Here is the average precipitation.
Santiago De Compostela - Average precipitation| Month | Days |
|---|
| January | 260 | 16 |
|---|
| February | 225 | 14 |
|---|
| March | 145 | 13 |
|---|
| April | 140 | 14 |
|---|
| May | 145 | 14 |
|---|
| June | 80 | 8 |
|---|
| July | 40 | 5 |
|---|
| August | 55 | 5 |
|---|
| September | 125 | 9 |
|---|
| October | 195 | 13 |
|---|
| November | 200 | 14 |
|---|
| December | 280 | 16 |
|---|
| Year | 1890 | 141 |
|---|
There are on average around 1910
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Santiago De Compostela - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
| January | 3 | 95 |
|---|
| February | 4 | 115 |
|---|
| March | 5 | 150 |
|---|
| April | 5.5 | 165 |
|---|
| May | 6 | 185 |
|---|
| June | 7.5 | 225 |
|---|
| July | 8 | 245 |
|---|
| August | 7.5 | 235 |
|---|
| September | 6 | 185 |
|---|
| October | 4.5 | 130 |
|---|
| November | 3 | 95 |
|---|
| December | 2.5 | 85 |
|---|
| Year | 5.2 | 1910 |
|---|
Santiago de Compostela - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of
7.8 °C, with a minimum of
4.1 °C and a maximum of
11.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-2 °C. However, it dropped to
-5.5 °C in January 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
16 °C. However, it reached
20.3 °C in January 2016.
Precipitation amounts to
260 mm, distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11.5 kph.
February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of
8.3 °C, with a minimum of
3.9 °C and a maximum of
12.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-1.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-3.6 °C in February 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
18.5 °C. However, it reached
23 °C in February 1997.
Precipitation amounts to
225 mm, distributed over 14 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 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11.4 kph.
March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
10.3 °C, with a minimum of
5.2 °C and a maximum of
15.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-0.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-4.6 °C in March 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
22.5 °C. However, it reached
27.6 °C in March 2002.
Precipitation amounts to
145 mm, distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11.8 kph.
April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
11.5 °C, with a minimum of
6.3 °C and a maximum of
16.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
1 °C. However, it dropped to
-1.9 °C in April 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
26 °C. However, it reached
30.2 °C in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to
140 mm, 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 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11.7 kph.
May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
14.2 °C, with a minimum of
8.7 °C and a maximum of
19.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
4 °C. However, it dropped to
1.3 °C in May 2013.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
29 °C. However, it reached
34 °C in May 2001.
Precipitation amounts to
145 mm, distributed over 14 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 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11.3 kph.
June is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
16.9 °C, with a minimum of
11.2 °C and a maximum of
22.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
7 °C. However, it dropped to
4.5 °C in June 2019.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
32 °C. However, it reached
37.8 °C in June 2015.
Precipitation amounts to
80 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 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 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10.6 kph.
July is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
18.8 °C, with a minimum of
12.9 °C and a maximum of
24.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
8.5 °C. However, it dropped to
3.8 °C in July 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33.5 °C. However, it reached
38.5 °C in July 2013.
Precipitation amounts to
40 mm, distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10.6 kph.
August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
19.2 °C, with a minimum of
13.3 °C and a maximum of
25 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
9 °C. However, it dropped to
6.5 °C in August 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33 °C. However, it reached
39 °C in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to
55 mm, distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10.3 kph.
September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
17.4 °C, with a minimum of
11.8 °C and a maximum of
22.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
7 °C. However, it dropped to
3 °C in September 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
31 °C. However, it reached
39 °C in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to
125 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
9.5 kph.
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
14.1 °C, with a minimum of
9.6 °C and a maximum of
18.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
3.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-1.6 °C in October 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
25.5 °C. However, it reached
29.6 °C in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to
195 mm, distributed over 13 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 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10.3 kph.
November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
10.3 °C, with a minimum of
6.5 °C and a maximum of
14.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
0 °C. However, it dropped to
-3.1 °C in November 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
19.5 °C. However, it reached
23 °C in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to
200 mm, distributed over 14 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 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10.6 kph.
December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of
8.5 °C, with a minimum of
4.9 °C and a maximum of
12.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-1.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-5.8 °C in December 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
16.5 °C. However, it reached
20.1 °C in December 2019.
Precipitation amounts to
280 mm, distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 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 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11.4 kph.