Rainy green Spain: Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country

Key rules

• Seasonal rain: Rain falls all year, but July and August are the driest months and October to January the wettest.
• Mild temperatures: Summers are mild and coastal winters rarely see frost, though inland areas are colder.
• Humidity: Humidity stays around 70 to 80% year-round, so check any home for damp.

The short answer

The Atlantic north is rainy, cloudy and humid, with mild summers. But rain is seasonal, not constant. It falls in every month, yet summer is clearly drier and winter is the wet, grey part of the year.

How much rain to expect

Yearly totals are roughly 1,000 to 1,700 mm, depending on where you are:

• San Sebastián: about 1,500 mm
• Bilbao: about 1,200 mm
• Santander: about 1,000 to 1,200 mm
• Oviedo and A Coruña: about 1,000 mm
• Santiago de Compostela: about 1,700 mm

Expect around 120 to 150 days a year with measurable rain (at least 1 mm). Madrid has about 60 to 70 and Málaga about 40 to 50. So it rains on about twice as many days as in Madrid, and often in lighter, more frequent spells.

Which months are wet and which are dry

The wettest months are October to January. Bilbao and San Sebastián get about 120 to 170 mm in each of those months. Spring is moderately wet.

July and August are the driest, with about 40 to 70 mm and still 6 to 8 rain days. Galicia is drier in summer than the Cantabrian coast, so don't count on a fully dry summer anywhere in the north.

Cloud, sun and humidity

Expect much less sun than the south. Santiago and Bilbao get roughly 1,700 hours a year. Seville and Málaga get about 2,900 to 3,000, and Madrid about 2,700 to 2,800.

In December and January you get only 3 to 4 hours of sun a day. Humidity stays around 70 to 80% all year and is higher on winter mornings. Damp is a real issue in homes, so see below.

Is winter cold?

On the coast, no. January highs are about 12 to 14 °C and lows about 5 to 8 °C. Frost is rare. Occasional southerly winds bring mild spells.

Inland and uplands, such as Oviedo, Lugo and Ourense, and mountain valleys, are colder.

How people adapt

• Keep a light waterproof jacket and an umbrella handy. Layers work better than heavy coats.
• Plan outdoor trips for summer and early autumn, and stay flexible, since weather changes within a day.
• Ask about damp, mould and ventilation when viewing a home. Check for north-facing rooms and for heating. A dehumidifier is common.
• Dry laundry indoors or in a dryer in the wet months.
• Choose a home with good light if the grey winters worry you.

The FAQ below answers quick questions on the driest months, rainy days and sun hours.

Frequently asked questions

Which months are driest in the Atlantic north?

July and August are the driest months in the Atlantic north, with about 40-70 mm of rain. It still rains on 6 to 8 days in those months.

How many rainy days a year does the Atlantic north have compared with Madrid?

The Atlantic north has roughly 120-150 days a year with at least 1 mm of rain, against about 60-70 in Madrid and 40-50 in Málaga. San Sebastián and Santiago are at the top of that range, at about 140-150 and 135-145.

How many hours of sun does Bilbao get compared with Seville?

Bilbao gets about 1,700 hours of sun a year, while Seville gets about 2,900 to 3,000. Santiago de Compostela is similar to Bilbao at about 1,700 to 1,900 hours.

Is winter cold on the Atlantic north coast?

No, winters on the coast are mild but grey, with January highs of about 12-14 °C and lows of about 5-7 °C. Frost is rare on the coast.