Lorraine Williamson
Every November, just when it feels like winter has finally settled in, Spain experiences an unexpected return of warmth. Known as the veranillo de San Martín, this short “little summer” offers blue skies and mild temperatures around 11 November, just as people begin to unpack scarves and light the first fires.
Living on the Costa del Sol, I noticed cafés pulling their terrace heaters away again and locals returning to the beach in T-shirts — a sign that autumn isn’t quite ready to give up.
This warm spell takes its name from Saint Martin of Tours, whose feast day is celebrated on 11 November. Tradition says that the saint once shared his cloak with a freezing beggar, and the clouds parted, bringing sudden sunshine. Since then, Spaniards have used his day to refer to the final burst of warmth before winter settles in.
A weather phenomenon rooted in culture and folklore
Meteorologists describe the veranillo as a brief stabilisation of atmospheric pressure. Cold fronts pause, winds soften, and temperatures rise two to five degrees above seasonal averages. It usually lasts three to five days, although in recent years, it has lingered for over a week in places like Andalucia and Valencia.
Historically, the veranillo was deeply tied to rural life. Farmers relied on it to complete autumn farming work — storing olives, collecting chestnuts, drying figs, and preparing vineyards for winter. In northern Spain, villages still mark Magosto or Calbotá, chestnut-roasting festivals where families gather around bonfires, drink local wine, and toast the arrival of Saint Martin’s day.
From Galicia to Malaga: Different regions, same sunshine
While the entire country often feels the effect, the experience differs by region.
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In Andalucia
, sea temperatures stay warm enough for swimmers to return to the shore, and terraces in Marbella or Málaga remain full until sunset. -
In Madrid and Castilla y León
, days are bright and crisp, but mornings still begin with mist and frost. -
In Galicia and Asturias
, rain often pauses just long enough for locals to enjoy chestnuts and cider outdoors.
It’s a small seasonal pause, a reminder that Spain’s climate is as diverse as its culture.
Climate change: Is the veranillo lasting longer?
Weather agency AEMET notes that these warm spells are not new, but climate change is making them more intense and more frequent. Data from the past decade shows temperatures staying above average for longer periods each autumn, particularly in Mediterranean regions.
Farmers welcome the sunshine for olive and grape harvests, but others worry about long-term consequences. Blossoming almond trees in November or delayed snowfall in the Pyrenees disrupt traditional cycles and threaten local ecosystems. Winter tourism in ski resorts like Sierra Nevada or Baqueira Beret may also feel the impact if cold weather arrives too late.
A personal pause before winter
There’s something almost poetic about the veranillo de San Martín. In coastal towns, people linger on the promenade, children play outside without jackets, and beach bars reopen briefly. Yet, you can feel winter hovering in the distance — fireplaces waiting, Christmas lights being tested, and shops quietly stocking turrón and polvorones.
Even if you’ve lived in Spain for years, this warm interlude still comes as a small surprise — a moment to breathe before the darker days arrive.