Has it ever snowed on Madeira?

It's not often that it snows in Madeira island. But yes it does snow! Usually, it only happens one or two times per year (or two years).



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The coldest record in Funchal is 7.5 °C (45.5 °F), recorded in March 2011, when snowfalls above 500 meters (1,650 feet) occurred in inland areas.

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In the mountains, especially above 1,500 meters (5,000 feet), snowfall and frost can occur in winter. The record is -9.5 °C (15 °F), recorded in Bica da Cana, at 1,580 meters (5,185 ft), in March 1993.

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The north side of the island takes all the punishment. The trade winds travel down the Atlantic and hit the north coast brining with them rain and cool air. The high mountains act as a barrier to the more densely populated, “sunnier” side of the island, the south side.

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Madeira, although further south, is a small island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and it is this that gives it a maritime climate charactised by cooler summer temperatures than the mainland, along with warmer winters.

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Madeira has a lot to offer all year round. Specifically for Winter, you should expect: Its climate is referred to as an “Eternal Spring” with temperatures around 19 to 20°C during the day and 13 to 14° during the night (at water level) Sea temperature around 17°C to 19°C.

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Funchal, the capital city of Madeira, is seen here along the southeast flanks of the massive shield volcano forming the island. The island is the emergent summit of a volcano that rises about 6 km from the seafloor in an E-W-trending rift zone.

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Ponta do Sol This municipality on Madeira's west coast is considered the warmest and sunniest on the island. It is very popular with visitors seeking to enjoy the climate and the warm sea. In addition, Ponta do Sol presents very diverse landscapes, namely the mountain range, the coast and traditional villages.

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Fires were started, which are said to have burned for seven years. The settlers constructed a large number of canals (levada]s), since in some parts of the island there was water in excess, while in other parts it was scarce.

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The water temperature remains very pleasant all year round, ranging between 19°C/66°F (winter) and 24°C/75°F (summer). The best month to swim in the sea is in September, when the average sea temperature is 24°C (75°F).

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The airport was once infamous for its short runway of only 1,600 m (5,249 ft), which, surrounded by high mountains and the ocean, made it a difficult and technically demanding landing for even the most experienced pilots.

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We went in April and whilst I agree that Madeira is a stunning island particularly in the interior we found it much cooler than the Canaries at the same time of year. It depends what you want in a holiday but you only need to look at how green the island is to realise that there must be significant rainfall.

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The airport's mountainous setting in the Atlantic sees it witness plenty of strong winds and mountain waves. The weather on the day can be unpredictable due to the battling conditions, and pilots are often forced to divert to the Canary Islands if the situation is too risky.

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The favorable climate of the island also contributed to the land thrive, and wheat production has become one of the greatest wealth of the island. This cereal was exported on a large scale for the Portuguese possessions on the African coast, giving thus the first cycle of Madeira economic history.

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Tenerife, located 500 kms further south, is a warmer winter destination.

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Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, Madeira's economy boosted with the emergence of its world-famous wine. In fact, Madeira's fortified wine has not only accompanied many great meals, but also some of the world's most historically significant moments.

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Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in the Madeira Islands. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

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Average weather in Madeira
  • May. 19°C. Avg. Rain: 6mm.
  • Jun. 21°C. Avg. Rain: 0mm.
  • Jul. 23°C. Avg. Rain: 1mm.
  • Aug. 24°C. Avg. Rain: 1mm.
  • Sep. 23°C. Avg. Rain: 5mm.
  • Oct. 22°C. Avg. Rain: 31mm.
  • Nov. 20°C. Avg. Rain: 25mm.
  • Dec. 19°C. Avg. Rain: 18mm.


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The most affected regions are Azores, Madeira and North. The hurricane season usually lasts from early June to late November. Portugal has certainly been affected by the foothills of several hurricanes, but during the past 12 months no hurricane reached the inhabited areas on land.

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