The climate of Funchal
Located on the Portuguese island of Madeira, the city of
Funchal is home to a Mediterranean climate that is characterized by warm summers. According to Köppen's climate classification, this falls under the Csb category. As Funchal is situated on an island, its climatic conditions are heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean.
Throughout the year, Funchal sees an average sea temperature ranging from 17.8°C (64°F) in
March to a high of 23.8°C (74.8°F) in
September. Daily sunlight hours fluctuate between 10 hours in
January to a peak of 14.3 hours in
June. The UV index sees minimal variance, remaining between 5 from January to
April and returning to 5 from
October to
December, with a slight increase to 6 from
May to September.
The annual weather cycle in Funchal experiences certain deviations. Notably, the humidity relative tends to peak at 80% in June and
August. When it comes to rainfall, August sees the least amount with 3mm (0.12"), while
November has the highest rainfall of 44mm (1.73"). Wind speeds in Funchal average around 21.1km/h (13.1mph) in January and gradually decrease to around 17.7km/h (11mph) by September before picking up again towards the end of the year.
The best time to visit Funchal
Given
Funchal's climate and weather patterns, visitors can expect ideal conditions between
May and
September. During these months, the sea temperature is above 20°C (68°F), making beach and ocean activities particularly enjoyable. Furthermore, the bright and sunny conditions, with daylight reaching up to 14.3 hours in
June, provide ample time for sightseeing.
The worst time to visit Funchal
Visitors might prefer to avoid visiting
Funchal from
October to
February. This period witnesses higher levels of rainfall and relatively low sea temperatures. Specifically,
November experiences the highest rainfall of 44mm (1.73") over 16 days, coupled with a low sea temperature of 21.5°C (70.7°F). Although the conditions are not harsh, they are less ideal for outdoor activities and seaside enjoyment.
Spring weather in Funchal
March ushers in the spring in
Funchal, characterized by a gradual increase in temperature, from a high of 16.9°C (62.4°F) at the start, to 18.8°C (65.8°F) by
May. Daytime hours also increase, starting with 12 hours of daylight in March and reaching up to 13.8 hours in May. Relative humidity hovers around 75%.
Summer weather in Funchal
Summer in
Funchal runs from
June to
August and is typified by warm and pleasant conditions. Temperatures reach the highest during this period, with a high of 23°C (73.4°F) in August. The sea temperature also hits the year's highest, touching 23.2°C (73.8°F). Winds gradually decrease through the season, offering comfortable beach days.
Autumn weather in Funchal
Autumn in
Funchal, covering
September to
November, witnesses a gradual reduction in temperature and an increase in rainfall. Temperatures start at a high of 22.8°C (73°F) in September, falling to 20°C (68°F) by November. Rainfall shows an upward trend during this period, peaking at 44mm (1.73") in November.
Winter weather in Funchal
Winter descends on
Funchal from
December and continues until
February. The balmiest months see temperatures dropping to a high of 18.7°C (65.7°F) by December. Rainfall rates remain high with 27mm (1.06") in December but ease to 19mm (0.75") by February. Despite the relatively cooler temperatures, the sea temperature hovers above 18.1°C (64.6°F), showcasing a pleasantly mild winter.
Weather in January
Coming out of
December,
January weather conditions in
Funchal,
Portugal persist in a similar fashion. Mild temperatures, high relative humidity, and noticeable winds dominate the weather scenario. It's confirmed by the presence of temperatures between 16.3°C (61.3°F) and 17.6°C (63.7°F) and winds that can reach 21.1km/h (13.1mph) with gusts up to 29.5km/h (18.3mph).
Weather in January »Weather in February
February follows the trend set by
January, but with specific indications of change as spring comes nearer. While notable windy conditions continue, the weather becomes marginally less humid, while changes in temperature are minimal.
Weather in February » Weather in March
The weather in
Funchal in
March tends to be an extension of winter with the promise of spring. While the temperature range and humidity levels remain steady, rainfall records a slight increase to 24mm (0.94") spread over about 11.6 days.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
As
Funchal strides into
April, the first signs of spring make themselves apparent. A hint of warmth reaches the city with marginally higher temperatures heralding the onset of the season. Rainfall records a slight drop to an average of 21mm (0.83"), spread over about 10.5 days, indicating a reduction in precipitation.
Weather in April »Weather in May
May's weather in
Funchal is characterized by an amplified spring feel as the temperature continues rising and the relative humidity remains constant. As rainfall reaches a lower point of 9mm (0.35") spread across about 7.6 days, the city experiences drier conditions.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June in
Funchal,
Portugal welcomes the summer season with open arms. Higher temperatures and humidity define this month's weather. Nevertheless, despite the arrival of summer, rainfall is not completely absent, averaging 14mm (0.55") across about 6.1 days.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
Amid
July's summer peak in
Funchal, the average temperature rises to between 20.3°C (68.5°F) to 22.1°C (71.8°F) making it the hottest month so far. Warm and inviting, the coastal city sees a marked decrease in rainfall to only 4mm (0.16") over about 4.9 days, making it the driest month of the year.
Weather in July »Weather in August
August continues the hot, summer conditions of
July, bringing mild nights and very warm days to
Funchal. Even though humidity reaches one of its peak values, the city experiences another significant reduction in rain, reaching its lowest point at 3mm (0.12") across roughly 3.9 days.
Weather in August » Weather in September
As
Funchal transitions from summer to autumn in
September, the city's weather character changes gradually. Warm temperatures persist, albeit slightly lower than in previous months. While rainfall increases to 10mm (0.39") dispersed over approximately 6.9 days, it's nowhere near close to the winter levels.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
In
October,
Funchal begins to bid farewell to the warmth of summer and navigate towards the winter with cooler conditions. Despite this, temperatures remain rather pleasant and the sea continues to be warm. Interestingly, October sees a significant rise in rainfall to 44mm (1.73") across around 12.5 days, a notable jump from the predecessors.
Weather in October »Weather in November
November's weather in
Funchal witnesses a further deepening of winter traits as colder days and increased rainfall settle in. With an average rainfall of 35mm (1.38") across approximately 16 days, it's the month with the highest number of rainy days.
Weather in November » Weather in December
Finally,
Funchal rounds off the year with
December, a month that sees continued winter patterns. The weather is characterized by cooler temperatures and substantial rainfall, amounting to an average of 27mm (1.06") over roughly 13.4 days.
Weather in December » [Resources]