Coping with the Weather
The climate
Pamplona is situated in the north-western part of Spain within the region of Navarra, along the Arga river. The city is situated on the border between the Mediterranean climate and the continental climate. As a result, it is a lot cooler in Pamplona than in other parts of Spain. The climate is also influenced by its location between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean. Winters can be pretty cold and rainy. Summers, however, can be very hot. Actually, the weather of Pamplona is full of contrast and varies from year to year. In general, it is pleasant, although the temperatures can rise above 35 degrees in July and August and fall down beneath 0 in January.
Temperature
The average yearly temperature in Pamplona is 12.4 degrees. The most remarkable and typical thing in Pamplona is that there is a sudden change from winter to spring to summer to autumn. Overnight the climate can change so severely that, when you wake up after a good night’s sleep, you can feel choked up. The hottest month of the year is certainly August, when temperatures reach more than 30 degrees. The average temperature of the month is 27.1 degrees. On the other hand, January is the coldest month. During this time, temperatures can easily fall below 0. The average temperature of January is about 1.1 degrees.
Rainfall
The total amount of rain during the whole year is 772.5 litres per square metre. Just as in the previous paragraph, the most rain falls during winter. December is known as the wettest month and July and August as the driest. Commonly, it rains for about 132 days a year.
Recommendations
Before starting your Erasmus adventure in Pamplona, choose the time of the year carefully. If you are a winter person who can’t stand a lot of heat, you better go for the first semester. On the other hand, if you really like hot temperatures and hate rain, you should choose the second semester. Of course, both types will have to deal with the opposite climate.
For first semester students, be aware that September can still be very hot. Furthermore, be sure to bring at least 1 good umbrella, because you will have to deal with a lot of rain. A fun fact about the rain in Pamplona is that it doesn’t start gradually. It just starts pouring instantaneously. Always have carry an umbrella!
For second semester students, be prepared to cope with the last part of winter. In January it is really cold. The rain starts to decrease, so normally you will not have that much rain anymore but still, it’s a good idea to have your umbrella with you all the time as well. Be sure you have your sun cream with you for the months May and June.
If you want to know more about the monthly climate average in Pamplona, you can always check the webpage of the World Weather Online. There are also some good webpages where you can check the weather every day with extensive information, like: AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, BBC Weather.
