Climate and Weather of Madeira
Madeira is an offshore autonomous region of Portugal located in the North Atlantic Ocean. The region is composed of islands and has a mild sub-tropical climate influenced by its geographical position and mountainous landscape. With the aid of the Gulf Stream, the climate manages to keep temperatures warm and pleasant all year-round. Madeira has a micro-climate with average temperatures rarely falling outside the range of 17°C to 24°C.Although Madeira has various bioclimates, the region experiences a sub-tropical climate for most of the year. Travellers visit Madeira for the beauty of nature it has to offer from relaxing nature parks, hiking trails, cruises, to abundant marine life especially sightseeing whales and dolphins.
The hottest months in Madeira are August and September. August has maximum daytime temperatures of 26°C and nighttime temperatures of 20°C in Funchal, while September has warm maximum daytime temperatures ranging from 24°C in Porto Santo to 26°C in Funchal.
On the other hand, Madeira has the highest amounts of rainfall in the months of January and February. Precipitation ranges in January from moderate in Porto Santo with 53 mm of rainfall to moderate in Funchal with 72 mm of rainfall, while Porto Santo experiences moderate rainfall of 32 mm to moderate in Funchal with 84 mm of rainfall.
Does it snow in Madeira?
Madeira is one of the few sub-tropical islands in the Mediterranean Basin that has gotten snow in the past. The most recent snowfall in the region was in 2021. Travellers took advantage of the snowy season and hiked the snow-covered mountains of Madeira, with Pico Do Arieiro as the most visited mountain that time. Because the region belongs to a sub-tropical climate, the region gets a fair chance of experiencing mild to cool winters from November to March.
Does Madeira get hurricanes?
Although rare, Madeira has gotten hurricanes in the past between the months of June and November, with the highest risk typically occurring in September and October. The island typically sees tropical-like cyclones called "medicanes" (Mediterranean hurricanes) or remnants of Atlantic hurricanes that have weakened. Because of its geographical location, Madeira can be affected by hurricanes pacing westward from the Atlantic especially if the hurricanes are large in size.
When is the best time to visit Madeira?
The best months to visit Madeira are the following: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November, as there are months with generally perfect weather in Funchal.
Madeira's dry season occurs from June to August. August is Madeira's warmest month at an average maximum temperature of 26°C in Funchal which is significantly cooler than tropical islands in the same month. This makes Funchal a perfect destination for travellers to do a wide variety of activities. Cable cars are found all over Madeira and are safe to ride with no worry of precipitation. Travellers would also appreciate the Monte Palace Tropical Garden in perfect weather. Regardless of the destination, it is best to stay hydrated at all times and dress lightly.
Are you interested in more detailed information for various cities in Madeira?
Please select the city you plan to visit, or one closest to your destination. For each selected city, you will see the following graphs:
1. Yearly average minimum and maximum temperatures
2. Monthly averages of precipitation throughout the year (rainfall, snow etc)
3. Monthly average hours of sunshine throughout the year
Additionally, some pages provide historical weather data such as humidity, wind speed, and water temperature.