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.

Weather and Seasons

Although Madeira has various bioclimates, the region experiences a sub-tropical climate for most of the year. Travelers visit Madeira for the beauty of nature it has to offer, from relaxing nature parks, hiking trails, and 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.

Rainfall in Madeira

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 February sees moderate rainfall in Porto Santo with 32 mm and 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. Travelers took advantage of the snowy season and hiked the snow-covered mountains of Madeira, with Pico Do Arieiro as the most visited mountain at that time. Because the region belongs to a sub-tropical climate, it has 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.

Best Time to Visit Madeira

The best months to visit Madeira are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November, as these months generally have perfect weather in Funchal.

Madeira's dry season occurs from June to August. August is Madeira's warmest month, with an average maximum temperature of 26°C in Funchal, which is significantly cooler than other tropical islands in the same month. This makes Funchal a perfect destination for travelers to do a wide variety of activities. Cable cars are found all over Madeira and are safe to ride with no worry of precipitation. Travelers 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.

Select a Month of Interest

Check the conditions for any month of the year.