The southern half of Navarre can get very hot during the central hours of the day in June, July and August. It is not worth going birding at this time of day because not only are birds completely inactive, but you also run the risk of suffering from heatstroke.
The sun can also shine very brightly and may cause sunburn and even sunstroke. High-factor sunscreen (also very important in mountain areas), a hat and drinking plenty of water are required in order to withstand these conditions.
The weather can change in just a few minutes in mountain areas and what was at first a clear, bright day can become cold, wet and misty. Fog, which can appear quite suddenly and disorientate even those with a good knowledge of the terrain, is a frequent problem in these areas. If fog appears, do not leave visible paths or tracks, else you may get lost.
Wind can be a problem in the Ribera, where north-easterly winds blow quite often. These winds are normally cold, persistent and fairly strong. Most birds are fairly inactive in these conditions and the use of telescopes and other equipment can prove very difficult. Try to avoid days like this in this area.
In mountainous areas, it snows relatively frequently in the winter, but you can find snow from mid-autumn (November) through to the beginning of spring (April). Some mountain passes may be closed for several days as a result of snowfall. Snowstorms sometimes cover a good part of the territory with snow. These storms can last from 2-4 days and may cause considerable difficulties, particularly for traffic, even in low-lying areas.During the months indicated above, it is a good idea to have chains for your vehicle and find out about the state of the roads before setting out by consulting the Directorate General of Traffic Web site (Spanish only).
Weather forecast (click here).
