DREM updates the time series of Meteorological Information with 2024 data

The Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM) has today updated on its website the "Time Series of Meteorological Information" with data from 2024, kindly provided by the Delegation of the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere I.P. (IPMA I.P) in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (ARM). The Dashboard summarising the principal surface meteorological information for 2024 has also been updated, allowing the selection of various indicators relating to the 20 operational meteorological stations in the ARM (excluding the Lombo da Terça and Bica da Cana stations due to the absence of data in 2024).

Air Temperature – 2024 was cooler than 2023 at all Stations

In all meteorological stations in the ARM with temperature records for 2024, the annual average temperature decreased compared to 2023. As for the climatological normals 1961–1990 (the average reference period for air temperature), all seven stations for which data were available in 2024 recorded values above this normal. The Funchal/Observatory station was notable with a positive anomaly of +2.6 °C compared to the climatological normal.

The highest annual average temperature was recorded at the Lugar de Baixo station (21.7 °C), while the lowest was at Pico do Areeiro (11.4 °C). Regarding extreme air temperatures during the year, the maximum was recorded at the Monte station with 33.2 °C in August, and the minimum at Pico do Areeiro with −1.9 °C in March.

August was the hottest month of 2024. In 17 of the 20 operational meteorological stations, monthly average temperatures ranged from 18.2 °C at Chão do Areeiro to 25.0 °C at Santa Catarina/Airport. Conversely, March was the coldest month at all stations, with monthly averages between 6.1 °C at Pico do Areeiro and 18.9 °C at Funchal/Lido.

Regarding the number of tropical nights—defined as nights with minimum temperatures equal to or exceeding 20 °C—all stations registered a significant decrease in 2024 compared to the previous year. The Lido station recorded 133 tropical nights, followed by Lugar de Baixo with 120. Nevertheless, compared to the 1961–1990 climatological normal, nearly all stations observed an increase in tropical nights. Standout increases were noted at Funchal/Observatory (+93 nights), Lugar de Baixo (+91), Santa Catarina/Airport (+62), and Porto Santo (+57). Santana station, with no tropical nights in 2024, was one night below its climatological normal.

There was a general reduction in thermal extremes compared to 2023, particularly in the number of days with maximum temperatures exceeding 30 °C; the highest number was recorded at Quinta Grande station with only six such days.

In 2024, the highest average daily temperature range (difference between the maximum and minimum temperature recorded in a 24-hour period)was observed at Pico do Areeiro (8.1 °C), while the smallest difference was at Caniçal/Ponta de São Lourenço station (4.2 °C).

Precipitation – 2024 was less rainy than 2023

In 2024, most meteorological stations with data for both years recorded lower precipitation totals than in 2023. The Chão do Areeiro station notably registered a significant decrease from 2,219.9 mm in 2023 to 1,873.6 mm in 2024. Conversely, four stations recorded slight increases, with Santana standing out with an increase from 859.0 mm in 2023 to 1,020.8 mm in 2024.

Compared with the 1961–1990 climatological normal shows that the 2024 values were substantially below this reference, particularly at Chão do Areeiro and Santo da Serra stations, with negative anomalies of approximately −1,065.7 mm and −728.6 mm, respectively. Only Porto Santo/Airport and Santa Catarina/Airport stations recorded positive deviations (+8.4 mm and +161.6 mm, respectively).

The highest annual precipitation values in 2024 were recorded at Chão do Areeiro (1,873.6 mm) and Pico do Areeiro (1,574.3 mm). The lowest totals were at Funchal/Lido (296.2 mm) and Caniçal (385.8 mm).

January and March were the rainiest months at most stations, with Chão do Areeiro recording the highest monthly precipitation of 334.7 mm in March. July and August were generally the months with the least precipitation, ranging from 0.0 mm at various stations to 21.6 mm at Santo da Serra.

Analysis of precipitation days (rain days, rainy days, very rainy days, and extremely rainy days) reveals that Santana had the highest number of rain days (≥1 mm precipitation) with 129 days. For rainy days (≥10 mm), Chão do Areeiro recorded the highest value with 49 days, also leading for very rainy (≥20 mm, 32 days) and extremely rainy days (≥30 mm, 17 days).

It is noteworthy that at Funchal/Observatory and Chão do Areeiro, the number of rain days has been systematically below the 1961–1990 climatological normal over the past 14 years.

In 2024, Funchal/Lido recorded the highest number of dry days (297), an increase of five days compared to the previous year. Santana had the fewest dry days with 140.

Relative air humidity – Slight increase in 2024 compared to 2023

Most stations with annual average relative humidity data recorded values slightly higher or equal to those of 2023. Only Porto Moniz showed a slight decrease of −1.0% compared to the previous year.

Annual average relative humidity ranged between 64% (Quinta Grande and Pico do Areeiro) and 83% (Santana).

Monthly analysis highlights a minimum average relative humidity of 44% at Pico do Areeiro during July and August, and a maximum mean of 95% at Santo da Serra in June, July, and September.

Reduced sunshine hours, increased wind intensity, and a decrease in seawater temperature

In 2024, insolation (number of hours of uncovered sunlight) decreased at the three stations with available data: Funchal Observatory, Santa Catarina/Airport, and Porto Santo/Airport. The maximum sunshine was recorded at Santa Catarina/Airport with 2,425.4 hours.

The annual average of the mean wind speed increased in nearly all anemometer-equipped stations (12 stations). Chão do Areeiro recorded the highest average wind speed at 21.2 km/h, surpassing its 2023 maximum of 17.6 km/h. Funchal/Lido had the lowest average wind speed at 4.7 km/h. The highest wind gust of the year was also recorded at Chão do Areeiro, reaching 143 km/h in January, exceeding the previous year’s maximum of 138 km/h at this station.

The annual average seawater temperature measured at Molhe da Pontinha (Funchal) in 2024 was 21.4 °C, slightly lower than in 2023 (21.7 °C). August recorded the highest average at 23.6 °C, and March and April the lowest at 19.3 °C.

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