Santa Cruz Temperatures: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights
On this page, we’ll explore Santa Cruz’s temperature statistics in detail, including day and night variations and monthly averages. We’ll also compare the annual temperature to other cities in Portugal.
Monthly Temperature Averages
The climate in Santa Cruz experiences moderate temperature changes, with mild shifts between seasons. On average, maximum daytime temperatures range from a warm 25°C in August to a mild 17°C in February. Nighttime temperatures can drop, with averages reaching 14°C in February.
The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Santa Cruz by month:
The lowest temperatures typically occur between 4 AM and 6 AM, while the peak temperatures are generally observed around 3 PM, when the sun's heating is most intense. August, the city’s warmest month, enjoys 238 hours of sunshine.
The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:
February, the city’s coldest month, sees about 57 mm of rainfall spread over roughly 11 days. It records 167 hours of sunshine of sunshine.
Annual Temperatures in Portugal Compared
The map below shows the annual temperature across Portugal. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
very warm
warm
pleasant
moderate
cold
very cold
Santa Cruz Temperatures Compared World Wide
Santa Cruz’s average annual maximum temperature is 21°C. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:
In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual temperature is around 21°C, resulting in warm summers and mild winters throughout the year.
Interlaken, Switzerland, the average annual temperature is significantly lower at 8°C, with mild summers and very cold winters.
Beijing, China, experiences more extreme temperature shifts, but still averaging 20°C annually.
In Brisbane, Australia, the average annual temperature is 26°C, making it warmer than Sydney.
How does the temperature feel?
Humidity is an essential factor in how you experience temperature. When a warm period is accompanied by high humidity, it results in a higher perceived temperature. This is especially true when temperatures exceed 25°C, as it can cause greater discomfort.
In Santa Cruz, during the coolest month, February, you will experience 70% humidity, which is considered high. This is accompanied by an average maximum temperature of 17°C. In the warmest month, August, the humidity is 72% combined with an average maximum temperature of 25°C, which creates a high-feel temperature. Explore our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.
How are these Temperatures Measured?
Generally, temperature data depicting climate is usually given over a 30-year average in order to reduce short-term fluctuations and reveal better long-term trends in climate conditions.
This temperature data is taken from land-based thermometers, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. These measurements are transmitted to weather stations and climate centers around the globe where they are processed, averaged, and analyzed in order to monitor the trends and create climate models.
Sea vs. Land Temperatures
The influence of nearby oceans or large water bodies significantly affects local temperatures:
- Ocean Influence: Coastal regions tend to have more stable temperatures, as large bodies of water absorb and release heat slowly. This often results in milder winters and cooler summers compared to inland areas.
- Continental Climates: Landmasses well away from large bodies of water tend to show greater extremes in temperature, having hotter summers and colder winters because of the absence of water as a moderating influence.
For more detailed information about Santa Cruz’s weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity levels, visit our Santa Cruz climate page.
Current temperature in Santa Cruz
6 m/s
partly cloudy and small chance of slight rain
7 m/s
almost clear and no rain
7 m/s
almost clear and no rain
