Wind in Madeira Island is usually extremely calm. The windiest month is December, followed by February and March. December's average wind speed of around 3.9 knots (4.5 MPH or 7.2 KPH) is considered “light air”.
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Madeira is generally windy, with north-easterly trade winds bringing big swells and humidity. Caniçal and Caniço are often the recipients of such weather, while the west coast also receives wind and swells, providing good surf and windsurfing conditions and Jardim do Mar is a popular place for the latter.
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.
The southwest is the place to be for more guaranteed sun; Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol and Calheta boast the best climates on the island followed by Funchal, Camera de lobos and Machico. Funchal still being a favourite with most tourists because of the centrality of the capital city and the array of choice.
Wind in Madeira Island is usually extremely calm. The windiest month is December, followed by February and March. December's average wind speed of around 3.9 knots (4.5 MPH or 7.2 KPH) is considered “light air”.
Amazing and stable weather denotes April through November as the best time to visit Madeira. April to mid-June is known for price cuts and moderate crowds. This period can offer you unforgettable hiking among lush green vegetation, and you can join famous Madeira Flower Festival.
Usually the south side of the island always presents itself with warmer temperature. When going to the north side, the temperature decreases, and in the center of the island, where the regions are higher, temperatures tend to be lower and there is some precipitation... some people call it the 4 seasons island.
The southern coast has the warmer temperatures; the southwest coast in particular, benefitting from being protected by the mountains, has the greatest amount of sun hours. The northern coast is much greener and less developed, and being more open to the prevailing climate, tends to be a little cooler.
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.
Ponta do SolThis 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.
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.
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.
Fastest Recorded Wind Speed: Barrow Island, AustraliaDuring 1996's Tropical Cyclone Olivia, 253 mph winds were clocked by an unmanned weather station on this portion of Western Australia's northwest coast.
Due to the mountainous shape of Madeira, there are a number of micro climates on the island. The region of Funchal is always more sunny and dry compared to other areas.
The rainy season is between November and February, during which time rolling clouds and frequent rainstorms are typical. Most days during this time will have at least one rainstorm passing through. The months between May and August are the driest of the year.
During October there are 11 hours of daylight each day, of which you can usually expect six hours to be bright sunshine. Keep on top of your sun cream as UV levels will be high. Sunset's nice and late at the start of October, just before 8pm.
Climate-wise, Madeira is warmer and less wet/rainy. In the Azores, you'll get every season in a single day. You probably won't like that so much. In Madeira, because of the micro-climates, it'll probably always be sunny somewhere on the island - and you can always just go above the clouds.
Famous for it's year-round warmth and sunshine – choosing the best time to visit Madeira all depends on the type of holiday you're looking for… Let's start at the beginning of the year – January through to March is the coolest time of the year, but it's also the quietest and the cheapest.
Madeira is a pretty small island, and so luckily you don't need very long to see all of the incredible things that this destination has to offer. If you're looking to experience the must-dos then a short four-day break would be fine. However, a week is the perfect amount of time to really make the most of the island.