UPDATED JULY 2020 ◊ ZMIEŃ JĘZYK NA: POLSKI
Today, some general information about the climate and weather in Madeira, information about a local weather app, weather webcams, and a few words about the dangers of bad weather in Madeira.
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Madeira’s climate
The climate of Madeira Island is very pleasant. Winters are not cold, and the summers are not too hot, which is why it is referred to as the “Island of eternal spring”.
Madeira is a mountainous island with different microclimates and large temperature differences. The best conditions are in areas up to 200 meters above sea level, which are also referred to as the “banana line”, from the best area for growing bananas. Therefore, most hotels are located along the southern coastline, especially in the bay of Funchal.
What is the best time to visit Madeira?
When is the best time to visit Madeira and Porto Santo depends on what you like and what you are planning to do during your trip. In the summer (June-August), the average temperature is 24° C during the day, and the temperatures at night do not usually drop below 17° C. In case of long periods of wind blowing from the Sahara, temperatures may rise to over 30° C. In summer, it barely rains. In autumn (September-November) it is still warm and sunny, but the risk of rainfall is higher.
Winter (December-February) is a low season in Madeira, despite the fact that the weather is still very pleasant – around 20° C during the day. As for the spring on Madeira, temperatures start rising in April and May, when the island begins to prepare for the Flower Festival celebrations…
Thus, usually, January is the rainiest and coldest month, while August has the lowest rainfall and the highest average temperatures. The months of August and September are best for swimming. The average seawater temperature is 24° C in September and 23° C in August and October.
So, this was the theory in a nutshell. And how is it in practice?
Madeira Weather forecasts
Global weather forecasts and weather services are not flawless. Weather conditions differ not only between cities/areas, but even within the same region. That’s why the common weather applications (meaning: global websites with weather conditions from different places in the world) showing one icon per city or the whole island are of little use. One icon and one average temperature isn’t enough to properly represent the weather of the entire island.
Recommended weather app: Madeira Weather
We would like to recommend you a local weather forecast app – Madeira Weather – created by Ciimar Madeira, creators of another useful app: MadeiraFish. Ciimar stands for the “Interdisciplinary Center for Marine and Environmental research of Madeira”.
We think that this app the most reliable source of weather information because it specifies weather conditions per region. That allows us to see, for example, how different can weather conditions be in just the area of Funchal:
It has a useful map function. You are able to save your favourite locations in Bookmarks to have much quicker access. You can also use the app to watch the live webcams located in some of the most popular tourist spots on Madeira:
If you see „Webcam indisponivel”, the chosen webcam isn’t available at that moment, but it isn’t the app’s fault.
A good idea is to download the app before booking the hotel you are considering, to observe for a while how the weather in that particular area compares to the rest of the island.
Source: http://home.ciimarmadeira.org/
Weather webcams in Madeira
As I already mentioned, there are many live webcams on Madeira, where you can check the current weather conditions. Check out our recent post:
Which clothes to pack?
In the summer we need warmer clothes only if we intend to hike in the mountains, before the sunrise, or visit windy and cold places.
During the off-season, you need to pack a lot of different clothes. Around noon, you are usually able to sunbathe & swim, however, good weather is not always guaranteed. You will also need warm clothes for hiking. Layers are always a good idea, just as is the extra sweater in the backpack. This is just another reason for renting a car – having different clothes in the trunk you will be prepared for all weather conditions.
Shopping in Madeira
Packing clothes for Madeira Island can be a headache, but the truth is, even if we bring the wrong clothes, we can correct it easily. There are at least three big shopping malls in Funchal –Madeira Shopping, La Vie & Forum Madeira – and a lot of smaller stores, also popular brand chain stores. Those, who travel on a budget are advised to check budget stores such as Bazar do Povo. Clothes sold there are of poor quality but can be a good emergency option.
And last but not least, not the nicest subject to cover, but a subject that is very important; In Madeira, you should pay attention to weather warnings. Bad weather increases the chances of accidents, also fatal ones. Levadas and ocean coasts are particularly dangerous places where you have to be very careful.
Of course, not all accidents are caused by weather conditions. In some cases, bad health or recklessness play a part, and in some, it is simply a misfortune. Even so, once we are already discussing the weather, I wanted to take this opportunity to ask you to be careful as the number of accidents reported on the news is really alarming…
Here are some examples of 2018 headlines
1 July 2018: ” Tourist dies on Levada das 25 Fontes” [LINK]
” A German tourist lost his life today on Levada das 25 Fontes, in Rabaçal. The circumstances in which the accident occurred are still unknown. “
14 April 2018: “Tourist dies after falling from a levada in Calheta, Madeira” [LINK]
“A 70-year-old tourist died on Levada das 25 Fontes. The tourist was a French national, and he was hiking together with his wife and children. On April 1, another deadly accident took place on the same levada.”
1 April 2018: “Tourist dies after falling from Levada das 25 Fontes” [LINK]
“A Spanish tourist died after falling from a height of 50m. He was walking the levada with an organized tour, and the rescue team was notified by the guide”
In 2018 only, three deaths have been reported on Levada das 25 Fontes. Fatal accidents, however, happen also on other routes.
Are levadas safe? No, unfortunately, your safety is not guaranteed. Avoid levada walks during difficult weather conditions, especially when they are wet. You also have to be properly dressed and have the right shoes. When you do not feel confident, do not go there without an experienced guide. Assess the level of difficulty well, according to your health & fitness.
Madeira’s coasts are also dangerous during a storm. Some tourists take a big risk when they come too close to the ocean to take pictures of high waves.
I was actually really shocked by what happened on Madeira during our latest Christmas visit…
During Christmas 2018 in Paul do Mar, a man threw himself into the water to save a tourist who fell into the ocean while taking photographs of waves. The tourist survived… But the man who rescued him… not (!) Source: [LINK]
On the 1st of September 2018, a tourist’s body was found. A Czech tourist slipped on the seashore in São Jorge, and was swept by the waves. Source: [LINK]
Please be extra careful on slippery roads, hiking trails and seashores during strong winds. Please always wear good hiking shoes, avoid taking pictures when it is not safe and always check the weather warnings.
Climate and weather in Madeira – final thoughts
Madeira is a great destination for all seasons. My (by far) favourite month to visit Madeira is… September. You can still enjoy the lava pools, outdoor water activities, and sunbathe, while it is much less crowded and hotel/ticket prices are much lower. I also recommend staying on the southern coast of the island for higher chances of sunny weather.
If you are planning to explore the island and Madeira’s great hiking trails and do not care much about swimming and sunbathing, or, if you are travelling on a budget, I recommend coming in the low season. Ticket prices in less popular months such as March and November are much lower, same as accommodation prices. When planning a holiday in Madeira, in addition to the weather, it is also worth checking whether any of the big festivals are taking place during that period.
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EVENTS AND FESTIVALS IN MADEIRA
