Madeira weather
Madeira is renowned for both its sub-tropical weather and picturesque landscapes - it is not surprising that its is now one of Europe's most popular travel destinations.
Madeira weather averages and climate information
Madeira is an archipelago comprising of four islands off the northwest coast of Africa. Madeira’s sub-tropical climate consists of hot, dry summers making it a perfect holiday destination for lovers of the heat.
Thanks to its mountainous topography and warm ocean currents around the island, Madeira has diverse microclimates. Its geographical location also dictates the absence of extreme hot or cold temperatures. The cooling winds that brush across the island help keep summer temperatures more comfortable.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18.9 | 18.8 | 19.4 | 20.1 |
21.7 |
23.7 | 25.4 | 26.2 | 25.8 | 24.2 | 21.7 | 20.0 | 22.2 |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | 69 | 69 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 68 | 68 | 69 | 71 | 70 | 71 | 69 |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 | 73 | 52 | 44 | 38 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 26 | 96 | 95 | 109 | 638 |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5 | 8.9 | 9.7 | 9.2 | 8.6 | 8.8 | 10.5 | 9.2 | 8.0 | 8.4 | 8.6 | 9.0 | 8.9 |
When is the best time to go to Madeira?
Beach lovers will enjoy Madeira in the hot summer months and generally this is the most popular time to visit the island. However, both spring and autumn are still hot and pleasurable.
If you are set on swimming in the waters of the Atlantic, you should probably avoid travelling over in the winter, as the temperatures both in and out of the water drop considerably.
Summer
Summer is the most popular time to visit Madeira. The extended peak season starts in June and lasts till the end of September. The average temperatures are around 25 °C and there are about 8 hours of sunshine daily.
The chances of experiencing rain are slight with the average monthly rainfall in the range of 5 to 10 mm during the summer months.
The summer in Madeira is very pleasant thanks to the cooling winds and gentle sea breezes. This makes the island a perfect holiday destination not only for the heat lovers but also for those who find high temperatures uncomfortable.
Winter
The winter in Madeira is very mild, thanks to its mountainous microclimate and currents from the ocean. The average of 95 mm of rainfall in the winter means that you are likely to experience some sort of precipitation during your holiday.
Madeira usually receives its rainfall in short, heavy downpours rather than long periods of drizzle. The temperatures are around 18 °C to 20 °C and there are about 5 hours of sunshine each day during winter.
Spring/Autumn
The weather in Madeira remains warm through both spring and autumn, although there are increased chances of rain and storms.
The average monthly rainfall is about 40 mm in the spring and significantly higher in autumn at around 90 mm. The average temperatures in those seasons range from 20 °C to 24 °C making the island warm and popular with tourists, although quieter than in the peak season.
There are an average of 5 to 7 hours of sunshine on Madeira in the spring and autumn seasons.
Madiera tourist information
This island is set in a beautiful green landscape, and is often referred as the Garden of the Atlantic - the horizon is dotted with a mix of Mediterranean buildings and periodic architecture reminiscent of Portuguese culture.
The island itself was originally a settlement that first began colonising in the 1400's. Early colonists of the island began cultivating fruit, fish and wheat - for which the island later became known for. Slowly the landscape became dotted with buildings and architecture, and over five centuries of populated culture, Madeira became a thriving tourist destination.
The Madeira we see today is an incredibly popular year-round resort. This is partly due to the fact that the island appeals to a versatile traveller; it combines modern city life with natural beaches, and does not lose sight of its heritage. Madeira boasts a fantastic year round summer climate, and with its beautiful six mile long beach - it is also popular amongst the sun lovers.
Madeira's fantastic climate means that exotic flowers cover the landscape; and the island is not short of parks flourishing with scenery. Madeira truly is a haven of natural beauty, so it is really not surprising why over one-million tourists visit the island every year.
There is a vast array of activities that tourists embark on during their visits. The beach is a popular hub of activity all year round, with many tourists opting to experience boating and scuba diving. There is plenty of entertainment to be had throughout the winding streets of Madeira - have a wonder through the bustling centre in one of the islands renowned street toboggans; this really is the only way to be immersed in the busy culture of the modern city centre.