The mountains catch the clouds
Madeira’s trade winds blow from the north-east for most of the year. They push moist Atlantic air up the north slopes, where it cools into cloud and rain. Calheta lies on the far side, facing south and west below the Paul da Serra plateau, so the air that reaches it has already dropped much of its water. The coast also faces the sunset, so on a clear evening the sun stays on it until it drops into the sea (sunset spots).
Sun, air and sea through the year
| Month | Sun a day | Daytime high | Sea | Sunset (15th) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5 h | 20 °C | 19 °C | 18:26 |
| February | 5 h | 20 °C | 18 °C | 18:54 |
| March | 6 h | 20 °C | 18 °C | 19:17 |
| April | 6 h | 21 °C | 18 °C | 20:39 |
| May | 7 h | 22 °C | 19 °C | 21:01 |
| June | 5 h | 24 °C | 21 °C | 21:19 |
| July | 7 h | 26 °C | 22 °C | 21:18 |
| August | 8 h | 27 °C | 23 °C | 20:54 |
| September | 7 h | 26 °C | 24 °C | 20:16 |
| October | 6 h | 25 °C | 23 °C | 19:37 |
| November | 5 h | 23 °C | 21 °C | 18:08 |
| December | 5 h | 21 °C | 20 °C | 18:05 |
You can compare months interactively on our home page.
When to come
- Winter (December–February): daytime highs around 20 °C, cooler nights, the most rain of the year (still mostly sunny spells on this side), and big swell for surfers. Pilot whales and common dolphins are about.
- Spring (March–May): flowers on the terraces, longer days and the widest range of whales and dolphins (whale calendar). The sea is at its coolest, about 18 °C.
- Summer (June–August): warm and dry, with August the sunniest month at about 8 hours a day. June can be hazy, with low cloud in the mornings. Village feasts every weekend (festivals).
- Autumn (September–November): the warmest sea of the year, about 24 °C in September, and still long sunny afternoons. Swell starts to return in October.
Mountain weather is different
The Paul da Serra plateau and Rabaçal, where the levada walks start, are often 6 to 8 °C cooler than the coast, and the plateau has more than 240 foggy days a year. Pack a warm layer and a rain jacket for the walks (walks and levadas).
Now and then a hot, dry east wind from Africa, the leste, pushes temperatures up and brings haze. In dry summers there is a risk of wildfire, as in October 2023; follow local warnings and never light fires outdoors.