Why is it so wet in Madeira?

The island sits in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream, nullifying any extreme seasonal temperatures, while the prevailing winds and high mountains ensure rain falls throughout the year.



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The island sits in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream, nullifying any extreme seasonal temperatures, while the prevailing winds and high mountains ensure rain falls throughout the year.

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The weather in Madeira remains warm through both spring and autumn, although there are increased chances of rain and storms. The average monthly rainfall is about 40 mm in the spring and significantly higher in autumn at around 90 mm.

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Rainfall. In Madeira rainiest months of the year are October, November and January during which monthly rainfall average reaches 108 mm. On the other side, driest months are July and August when the average rainfall is reduced to 3 mm per month.

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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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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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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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.

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FunchalRainy-day activities
  • From Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise. ...
  • Funchal: Dolphin and Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise. ...
  • Madeira: Skywalk, Porto Moniz Volcanic Pools, and Fanal Tour. ...
  • Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise. ...
  • From Funchal: Best of Madeira's West Tour.


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We experienced differences in temperature from 26 degrees in Funchal and 28 degrees in Ponta do Sol (the warmest place on the island), to as low as 16 degrees in Achada da Cruz and finally a nice 20 degrees in Porto Moniz.

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Madeira is 967.7 kilometers (601.3 miles) away and has the same time zone with Lisboa, Portugal. Madeira's climate is classified as Mediterranean, warm summer (Köppen climate classification: Csb) while Lisboa has a Mediterranean, hot summer climate (Csa). Madeira generally has warmer weather than Lisboa.

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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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Rainwater Madeira is a lighter, drier style than most other Madeira. Although rarely produced today, Rainwater Madeira wines, like all Madeiras, can age for longer than almost any other wine style, so a surprising number of examples from its heyday (the 19th Century) still survive.

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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 northern and eastern regions of Madeira are colder and more rainy due to the winds blowing from north-east.

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Warm winds occasionally blow over from the Sahara Desert, which can make things really hot in Madeira. The average high temperature during October is 23ºC, which is perfectly warm enough to chill out on the beach or by the pool.

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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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In reality, the Laurel forest which occupies about 20% of the island, and where most Levadas/hikes go across, is not very sensitive to the dry months and it is kept lush and green by the fogs and humidity that typically occur in the region, any time of the year. Same applies to most of the North Coast.

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