How is mid/end September Weatherwise

[vaclove]

We plan to ride over the continent mid September.
The route cuts France to Germany, then over French alps down to Nice, then head west for Pyrenees and to Santander/Bilbao to catch ferry back home.

What has not yet been decided is which direction to go. Whether to take the ferry first or at the end.

I am bit concerned about the weather in Alps late September. Isn't it going to be bad?

Would be grateful for any suggestions.

 

[Wapping]

Could be great, could be crap.... that's mountains and hight for you.

We did the Dolomites in mid / late September and it was flecking with snow and sleet near the top but warm at the bottom.

Go to assorted sites (like Weather Underground) for historic data,,,, and, as usual, wait for assorted replies on UKGSer that will confirm that anything and everything is possible weatherise, anytime between January and the next December.

Prepare for the worst*... expect the best










* An old German alpine joke

 

[wessie]

Just be flexible with your route planning. Most passes remain open well into October but may experience snow in September. I'd factor in having one or two non-riding days and slip them in if you have a bad weather day and just take in some local culture and gastronomy.

One thing to bear in mind is that you will get under 12 hours of daylight - 07.35 to 19.18 for Grenoble's latitude.

 

[Rasher]

We did Pyrenees in third week of September a few years ago, up until a day before we arrived it had been in the high 20's / low 30's, then it pissed down most the time we were there.

I looked at historical data before booking which told me most people get good weather. We had snow on the tops of two passes in Early August on last years Alps trip.

And yes it was getting dark around 7.00pm, but we generally went out around 9 - 10 am and returned around 4 - 5 pm and I do not remember low sun being an issue (mainly cos it was cloudy and pissing down most the time)

Though if you are doing "loops" plan to go around so the sun is behind you (i.e. ride west in the morning and east in the evening)

 

[IJGser]

Sept 2009 Sunny

Went thru the alps camping at the end of September 2009, Mostly sunbathing weather got cold at night with ground frost when we camped above 1500Mtr soon clears when the sun comes out.

 

[AWR Tours]

I have been around those areas in different parts of Sept and there really is no hard fast rule. However if you were to push me on an answer I would say more sunshine than rain