Climate and Weather of the Azores, Portugal
In Portugal you have several regions, one of which is called the Azores. The most popular city in this region is Ponta Delgada, whose climate data we'll examine to provide you with an overview of what weather to expect in the Azores. For more detailed climate information about other cities in the area, please see the section beneath the map further down the page.
In the Azores, during the months of June, July, August, September, October and November you can expect comfortable weather, with average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 24°C.
The warmest weather in the Azores arrives in August, when temperatures climb to 24°C. In contrast, February sees the mercury drop to daytime highs of 16°C.
When it comes to rainfall, the Azores sees significant variations throughout the year. December tends to be the wettest, receiving 149 mm of rain, while July is much drier with just 27 mm.
Visitors hoping to maximize their time in the sun should consider planning their trip for August, when daylight hours are at their peak.
Select a Month of Interest
Check the conditions for any month of the year.
The Azores is a phenomenal gateway to the natural wonders of the Atlantic. Home to lush green pastures and marine biodiversity, the Azores is a subtropical archipelago consisting of nine main islands off the coast of Mainland Europe. The Azores Islands is one of the two known autonomous regions of Portugal, the other one being Madeira.
The Azores is home to one of the most expansive whale sanctuaries in the world, particularly the island of São Miguel, where whales of all shapes and sizes fascinate travelers each year. The Azores Islands is also renowned for the Azores Triple Junction where the divergent ridges of all three global tectonic plates meet, namely the African, Eurasian, and North American plates. For this reason, the islands in the region are volcanic in nature and, in turn, enjoy a warmer climate on average in contrast to other parts of Portugal.
The Azores benefits from a temperate, maritime climate with mild winters. January and February are the coldest months of the year, while August is the warmest. Winter spans from January to March with average monthly daytime temperatures ranging from 12°C to 15°C. Meanwhile, travellers get to experience warm summers in the Azores from July to September when humidity is pretty high on average, particularly in August when maximum daytime temperatures can reach up to 26°C in Horta, while maximum nighttime temperatures can reach up to 20°C also in Horta.
In terms of average precipitation, July is the driest month of the year, while November is the wettest. There is low to moderate precipitation in the month of July ranging from low at 28 mm in Santa Maria to moderate in Lajes with 39 mm of rainfall. On the other hand, precipitation is high from the months of October to March, with November as the wettest month of the year when precipitation is high at 92 mm of rainfall in Santa Maria, as well as heavy precipitation in Lajes with 176 mm of rainfall.
Does it snow in the Azores?
For a mountainous subtropical archipelago, the Azores is remarkable for getting to experience all four seasons in a given year. This means that the Azores experiences a certain degree of snowfall in some of its elevated areas.
As the year starts with winter from January to March, the Azores gets a fair amount of snowfall, although abundant snowfall occurs exclusively at high altitudes. The most prominent example of this is Mount Pico, a popular hiking spot in the Azores during winter, which also happens to be Portugal's highest point measured at 2,351 m.
Is there a desert in the Azores Islands?
The Azores is popularly known for its lush, verdant green pastures. However, little do people know that there exists a reddish, arid landscape in the Azores named Barreiro da Faneca at 8.35 sq km (2,063 acres) that closely resembles a desert within the islands.
When is the best time to visit the Azores Islands?
The best time to visit the Azores Islands is from spring to summer. On average, spring occurs from March to June, while summer occurs from July to September, respectively. These seasons are particularly appealing to travelers as the weather is ideal for outdoor activities in the islands. Be sure to stay hydrated and wear light clothing during your travels.
Travelers would never run out of exquisitely beautiful subjects in their photos as flowers and trees bloom in their full glory during spring. You may want to go for a day trip at the Lagoa de Sete Cidades in Ponta Delgada when average maximum daytime temperatures range around 21.5°C. Summer also means that whales wander around the waters of the Azores, making it a perfect time for your memorable whale sightseeing experience.
On the other hand, we do not recommend travelling to the Azores during autumn and winter as these seasons are characterized by turbulent precipitation. History shows that hurricanes had passed through the Azores during these seasons which could possibly disrupt your itinerary. Consider scheduling your trips during spring and summer to get the best of your Azores trip.
Interested in the detailed Weather and Climate of the Azores, Portugal?
Please select a city below the map you wish to travel to, or the one closest to your destination. Each selected city will show you the following graphs:
1. Average minimum and maximum temperature over the year
2. Average monthly precipitation over the year (rainfall, snow)
3. Average monthly hours of sunshine over the year
On certain pages we also offer other historical climate data like humidity wind speed and water temperature.