Rough over the Pyrenees today (1 Viewer)

[Xabia]

Drove up from near Teruel today, heavy rain but no real problem until we started to climb the Pyrenees, saw a few cars coming in the opposite direction covered in snow. Didn't think too much if it until we encountered a huge queue of HGVs stationary in the nearside lane, carried on in the outside lane for a Mike or so and ground to a halt. Road was sheet ice and nothing was moving, was stationary for over 2 hours before we slowly moved on. Think an artic had crashed through the barrier blocking both carriageways.

 

[PeteH]

Yep, Winter is coming!. Not the first time I have followed a Snow Plough (A15 to Pamplona). Once in a 28ft R-V towing a car on a trailer!, with a convoy of British Motor-homes behind! Did the N121A once, that was hairy!.

 

[Snowbird]

Oh dear, we sail on Sunday for Spain and hoping to arrive in Benidorm on Tuesday morning. I knew I was leaving it a bit late.

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[The Nomad]

The snows and road queues there were featured on TVE (Spanish) news this evening. Winter has arrived.

 

[Snowbird]

Do you think spring will be in the air next week in readiness for my forthcoming travels.

 

[Madcaravanner]

According to the BBC the UK is going to get better weather than Spain or Portugal next week due to a high pressure system over the UK and a low pressure system over Southern Spain so those of you down there get ready for the wind and rain

And Scotland get ready for more ice due to the clear skies at night

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[Moodybrook]

Can I ask when Pyrenees sort of area becomes bearable in the Spring, ie how late Feb, Mar or Apr should I leave till it is a lot better than UK, I have to be back home earlyish May.
I am easy to please its the other half I have to keep smiling. We did Bavaria April May and that was fine ! Sorry to diversify the thread, thanks !
I know that with the weather it is always a gamble But I have not been so far South in the van.

 

[bigtree]

Drove up from near Teruel today, heavy rain but no real problem until we started to climb the Pyrenees, saw a few cars coming in the opposite direction covered in snow. Didn't think too much if it until we encountered a huge queue of HGVs stationary in the nearside lane, carried on in the outside lane for a Mike or so and ground to a halt. Road was sheet ice and nothing was moving, was stationary for over 2 hours before we slowly moved on. Think an artic had crashed through the barrier blocking both carriageways.

@Xabia Got to cross the Pyrenees next week and was wondering what way you went,was thinking of going via the Somport tunnel.

 

[Mikey RV]

We are crossing border next week but will be crossing at Irun. Not sure which way to go from there yet towards Villajoyosa.

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[PeteH]

Can I ask when Pyrenees sort of area becomes bearable in the Spring, ie how late Feb, Mar or Apr should I leave till it is a lot better than UK, I have to be back home earlyish May.
I am easy to please its the other half I have to keep smiling. We did Bavaria April May and that was fine ! Sorry to diversify the thread, thanks !
I know that with the weather it is always a gamble But I have not been so far South in the van.

One option,? We stayed on a site near St Jean De Luz. And waited for a better weather window Once. Just off J2 of the A63/E80.

 

[gus-lopez]

According to the BBC the UK is going to get better weather than Spain or Portugal next week due to a high pressure system over the UK and a low pressure system over Southern Spain so those of you down there get ready for the wind and rain

And Scotland get ready for more ice due to the clear skies at night

sHowing rain here sat & sun then normal service is resumed.

 

[jumartoo]

sHowing rain here sat & sun then normal service is resumed.

Hope so, mum will be here for two weeks for some sun!

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[carolyn]

Weather supposed to be OK for the next 2 days in Benidorm and then rain for a week until we go home. We're having fun but the weather is nowhere near as good as this time last year.

 

[hymermick]

We have been in Benidorm since the beginning of September and have found the weather far better this year than last year. We have not had nowhere near as much rain and its been a lot warmer.

 

[motorhomewave]

Is the journey through central France, down to Narbonne, Barcelona, Valencia etc a lot further from the UK, you would obviously miss out the winter covering on the Pyrenees. Just wonder why so many Funsters choose the Westerly route down to Spain.

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[bigtree]

Is the journey through central France, down to Narbonne, Barcelona, Valencia etc a lot further from the UK, you would obviously miss out the winter covering on the Pyrenees. Just wonder why so many Funsters choose the Westerly route down to Spain.

Because you avoid going over the Massif Central from Clermont.

 

[PhilandMena]

Yep, Winter is coming!. Not the first time I have followed a Snow Plough (A15 to Pamplona). Once in a 28ft R-V towing a car on a trailer!, with a convoy of British Motor-homes behind! Did the N121A once, that was hairy!.

We have been using the N121A from Irun to Pamplona every January for the last few years and have yet to see snow ? Lucky or what !

 

[PhilandMena]

We are crossing border next week but will be crossing at Irun. Not sure which way to go from there yet towards Villajoyosa.

I have done this many times in the winter.
Suggest you take N121A to Pamplona - Zaragoza - Valencia - A7 -Alicanti and up to Villajoyosa. All toll free and good roads.

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[PhilandMena]

Route from Calais to Spain avoiding snow and Ice.
http://about-france.com/tourism/no-tolls-routes.htm
http://about-spain.net/travel/map.htm

 

[Xabia]

@Xabia Got to cross the Pyrenees next week and was wondering what way you went,was thinking of going via the Somport tunnel.

I came up from Zaragoza to Donostia. Normally the roads are kept very clear this way, the carriageway going South was kept clear with snowploughs constantly up and down (literally down against the flow of traffic!), but complete absence on the northbound carriageway. I think the Roads on the French side of the Somport would have been very bad.

Lovely dry, sunny drive today to Sainte Maure de Touraine.

 

[moulin 87]

I came up from Zaragoza to Donostia. Normally the roads are kept very clear this way, the carriageway going South was kept clear with snowploughs constantly up and down (literally down against the flow of traffic!), but complete absence on the northbound carriageway. I think the Roads on the French side of the Somport would have been very bad.

Lovely dry, sunny drive today to Sainte Maure de Touraine.

They keep the French side clear normally as it is an important route through the Pyrenees and access up the valley for residents and to the ski resorts...

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[Clarky]

Drove down the A9/AP7 from Narbonne to L'Estartit today in lovely sunshine.
Bit of a holdup on the Spanish section of the motorway due to a broken down truck in the roadworks but the only snow was high up on the mountain tops, way, way higher than we were.

Richard.

 

[Boringfrog]

Is the journey through central France, down to Narbonne, Barcelona, Valencia etc a lot further from the UK, you would obviously miss out the winter covering on the Pyrenees. Just wonder why so many Funsters choose the Westerly route down to Spain.

Less chance of snow while following the coast.

 

[marrod23]

Can't really understand why you would go over the Pyrenees this time of year i would of thought better to stick to the main roads or motorways happy travels Rod

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[moulin 87]

Can't really understand why you would go over the Pyrenees this time of year i would of thought better to stick to the main roads or motorways happy travels Rod

All the major routes have tunnels, they are well prepared if there is snow, if the routes are closed they are signed as such a long way before as well as on the internet, France and Spain have reasonable weather forecasts available, the coastal routes are equally prone to severe winter winds, you miss the mountain scenery if you along the coast...etc.

It just takes a little planning and have options available dependent on the route and weather forecast...

 

[gus-lopez]

Can't really understand why you would go over the Pyrenees this time of year i would of thought better to stick to the main roads or motorways happy travels Rod

'Cause it's snowing ? I'll be testing my snow chains Christmas,hopefully, up Can Franc. Depending on what it is like, how bad etc; I might even go over the Col du Somport.
http://www.meteosurfcanarias.com/en/001889-webcam-weather-live-inland-aragón-col-du-somport.php

Drove up from near Teruel today,.

Actually considering it is only around 100kms to the coast , Teruel has the honour of being one of the hottest & coldest places in Spain. Some years below -20ºc isn't uncommon.

 

[moulin 87]

'Cause it's snowing ? I'll be testing my snow chains Christmas,hopefully, up Can Franc. Depending on what it is like, how bad etc; I might even go over the Col du Somport.
http://www.meteosurfcanarias.com/en/001889-webcam-weather-live-inland-aragón-col-du-somport.php

Pop in to this next time you are at Canfranc...Lost in time...

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[cookie]

we followed a french lorry up , they kept jumping off with shovels to clear the road, very interesting driving , especially coming down when the van was sliding , and we had to pass a large artic size conversion ,white knuckle stuff . this was on the route via Bielsa tunnel, afterthoughts where maybe we shouldn't have gone this way.

 

[busby]

Can I ask when Pyrenees sort of area becomes bearable in the Spring, ie how late Feb, Mar or Apr should I leave till it is a lot better than UK, I have to be back home earlyish May.
I am easy to please its the other half I have to keep smiling. We did Bavaria April May and that was fine ! Sorry to diversify the thread, thanks !
I know that with the weather it is always a gamble But I have not been so far South in the van.

You cannot say,,some winters it hardly snows and the ski resorts are moaning,,another year there is plenty but unlike the UK the roads don't stay blocked very long.When snow is forcast they send the gritters out before and park up in lay byes and wait for the snow and then plough and grit,,,Excellent,,BUSBY.

 

[busby]

'Cause it's snowing ? I'll be testing my snow chains Christmas,hopefully, up Can Franc. Depending on what it is like, how bad etc; I might even go over the Col du Somport.
http://www.meteosurfcanarias.com/en/001889-webcam-weather-live-inland-aragón-col-du-somport.php






Actually considering it is only around 100kms to the coast , Teruel has the honour of being one of the hottest & coldest places in Spain. Some years below -20ºc isn't uncommon.

Have had minus 27 on way to Millau,,Didn't get out for a pee,,,BUSBY.

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