Climate and Weather of Portugal
The climate in Portugal is largely a blend of both Mediterranean and Atlantic climates. The differences in weather patterns in the country are quite significant, both from north to south and from coast to mountain.Summer is generally warm and sunny in Portugal. The Algarve and southern regions have a Mediterranean climate, which means hot during the summer with dry conditions. The daytime temperatures are often around 28°C in July and August, with the highest ever recorded at Elvas at 35°C. Days are pleasant with up to 12 hours of sunshine per day. It does not rain at all during this reason, as well as in Faro and the Algarve it is close to nil in July.
In autumn (September to November), temperatures become milder. However, Elvas can still reach 30°C in September. Rainfall builds up, especially in the northern part of the region, such as in Faja Grande with 109 mm in September.
Winter, from December to February, is cooler, especially in the north and inland. The coastal regions tend to be generally milder; for example, Horta can reach 19°C in January and February. Inland, at Miranda do Douro, lows as low as 1°C are possible in January. The north, particularly Caminha, can expect up to 171 mm of rain in December.
Spring (March to May) is hot and dry. Temperatures start rising, reaching up to 26°C in Elvas by May. It is 14°C in Soajo in March. Precipitation falls significantly, in May it averages around 28 mm per month for Fuzeta.
Portugal's geographically climatically varied landscape produces microclimates. Areas, for example, in the Azores are typically mild and humid throughout the year. Such conditions prevail in that area in the Atlantic Ocean. The islands have mist and rain showers even in the summer.
The planning of the visit to Portugal generally depends on what you would want to do. Beach holidays are ideal during summer, from July to the early days of September, though that's also when it's the most crowded. City trips or active holidays are advisable when it is spring or autumn and much less crowded. These periods generally have beautiful weather for exploration and leisurely outside activities, with Lisbon averaging more than 200 hours of sunshine.
Are you interested in more detailed information for various cities in Portugal?
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.