Every month's air temperature, sea temperature, rainfall and sun hours for Funchal, plus how the north coast and the high peaks differ. All figures are IPMA climate normals (1981–2010) rounded for clarity.
Madeira has a mild Atlantic subtropical climate. Funchal averages 19 °C in winter and 27 °C in summer — no extremes either way. The sea stays swimmable from May to November (20–23 °C). The best months for weather are May, June, September and October: warm, dry, and outside peak summer crowds. November is the wettest month; the north coast gets roughly double the south's rainfall year-round. See the full month-by-month guides for what to actually do in each month.
Averages for Funchal (south coast, sea level). Source: IPMA climate normals 1981–2010.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Sea °C | Rain mm | Rain days | Sun h/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 19° | 13° | 19° | 65 | 9 | 6 |
| Feb | 19° | 13° | 18° | 70 | 9 | 6 |
| Mar | 20° | 14° | 18° | 65 | 8 | 7 |
| Apr | 20° | 14° | 18° | 40 | 6 | 7 |
| May | 22° | 15° | 19° | 20 | 4 | 8 |
| Jun | 23° | 17° | 20° | 10 | 3 | 8 |
| Jul | 25° | 19° | 21° | 3 | 1 | 9 |
| Aug | 26° | 20° | 22° | 3 | 1 | 9 |
| Sep | 27° | 21° | 23° | 30 | 3 | 8 |
| Oct | 25° | 19° | 23° | 80 | 7 | 7 |
| Nov | 22° | 17° | 22° | 95 | 9 | 6 |
| Dec | 20° | 14° | 20° | 90 | 9 | 5 |
Wetter, cooler, cloudier. Winter highs of 16 °C, summer highs of 24 °C. Rainfall averages roughly double Funchal's — 130 mm in January vs 65 mm in Funchal. Often cloudy when the south is sunny.
Consistently 8–12 °C cooler than sea level. Sub-zero nights in winter, snow occasionally settles December–March. Above the cloud layer on most sunny south-coast days — a common reason to drive up before sunrise.
Cool, quiet, often clear — the low-season sweet spot.
Weather: Daytime highs 18–20 °C in Funchal, 5–10 °C on the high peaks. Most rain falls on the north coast.
Sea: Coolest of the year, around 18–19 °C. Atlantic swells can close north-coast natural pools for days at a time.
Carnival month — colour, music and the start of the almond blossom.
Weather: Similar to January, 18–20 °C in Funchal. Statistically the driest winter month.
Sea: 18 °C, still cool. Cable-car and toboggan operate as normal.
Spring starts — flowers everywhere, longer days, perfect hiking temperatures.
Weather: Funchal climbs to 19–21 °C; mountain trails increasingly clear of cloud.
Sea: Still 18 °C — wetsuit advisable for serious swimming.
Peak hiking + Flower Festival — many visitors' favourite month.
Weather: 20–22 °C in Funchal, 12–15 °C in the mountains. Sunshine increases noticeably.
Sea: Warming to 18–19 °C. Some visitors begin to swim.
Flowers, festivals and pre-summer prices — arguably the best month overall.
Weather: 21–23 °C in Funchal. Mountain cloud forms later in the day.
Sea: 19–20 °C — swimmable for most.
Atlantic Festival weekly fireworks + long days — peak shoulder season.
Weather: 22–24 °C in Funchal, mountains can build cloud by midday.
Sea: 20 °C, comfortable for most swimmers.
Warm, busy, perfect for swimming — bring an early-morning hiking plan.
Weather: 23–26 °C in Funchal, 15–20 °C on the peaks.
Sea: 21–22 °C. All beaches and pools at their best.
Hottest, busiest, brightest — and the warmest sea of the year so far.
Weather: 24–27 °C in Funchal. Trade winds keep humidity down.
Sea: 22 °C — peak swimming.
Warmest sea of the year + dropping crowds — many returning visitors' top pick.
Weather: 23–26 °C in Funchal, beautifully stable.
Sea: 23 °C — the warmest of the year.
Quiet, warm, excellent for hiking — the underrated month.
Weather: 22–24 °C in Funchal. First Atlantic systems arrive late month.
Sea: 22 °C, still very swimmable.
Wetter and quieter — the locals' favourite month for laurisilva walks.
Weather: 20–22 °C in Funchal. The wet season starts on the north coast.
Sea: 21 °C, still swimmable on the south coast.
Christmas lights + New Year fireworks — Funchal's most magical month.
Weather: 19–21 °C in Funchal, cool in the mountains.
Sea: 20 °C, swimmable for the hardy.
May, June, September and October have the most stable weather — warm days (22–25 °C in Funchal), low rainfall, a warm-enough sea (19–23 °C) and none of the peak-summer crowds. April is slightly cooler but has the best wildflowers. July–August are the warmest but Funchal can feel humid.
August is the warmest, averaging 27 °C daytime in Funchal and 23 °C sea temperature. July is nearly identical. Neither ever gets truly hot compared to mainland Portugal — the Atlantic keeps things mild.
January and February are the coolest, averaging 19 °C daytime in Funchal and dropping to 5–10 °C on the high peaks above 1,500 m. It never freezes at sea level; occasional snow dusts Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo.
November has the highest rainfall in Funchal (~95 mm across 9 days). October and December are close behind. The north coast is wetter year-round — Porto Moniz gets roughly double Funchal's rain most months.
June through November the sea is 20 °C or warmer, peaking at 23 °C in August, September and October. May sits at 20 °C — swimmable but bracing. December to April the sea drops to 18–19 °C; most swimmers want a wetsuit.
Yes, dramatically. The south coast (Funchal, Calheta) is warmer, drier and sunnier. The north coast (Porto Moniz, São Vicente) gets roughly twice the rain and is often cloudy when the south is clear. The high peaks are 8–12 °C cooler year-round and can be in cloud when both coasts are sunny.
Yes. Winter (Nov–Mar) is actually the greenest and quietest hiking season, though the highest ridge routes occasionally close for snow or ice. Summer trails can be hot at midday — start early. Spring and autumn are the sweet spot for long walks.
Data source: IPMA (Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere) climate normals 1981–2010 for Funchal (south coast, sea level), Porto Moniz (north coast). Figures rounded to whole units.