In March 2026

Precipitation was above the climatological normal, whilst temperature was below

The Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM) publishes today a summary of the main meteorological data for March 2026, simultaneously updating the respective Dashboard. This information¹ is provided by the Delegation of the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere I.P. (IPMA I.P.) in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (ARM).

Air Temperature

In March, the highest mean air temperature was recorded at the Funchal/Observatory and Lugar de Baixo stations (17.0 °C), whilst the lowest occurred at the Pico do Areeiro station (3.5 °C).

Compared to the climatological normal² for March, all stations for which this analysis was possible (6 stations) presented values below the reference values. The Chão do Areeiro station stood out, with a deviation of -2.4 °C from its respective climatological normal (6.6 °C).

Regarding extreme air temperatures, the absolute maximum temperature was recorded at the Funchal/Observatory station (24.0 °C, on the 30^th) and the absolute minimum temperature at the Pico do Areeiro station (-3.3 °C, on the 3^rd and 19^th).

Precipitation

In March, the highest total precipitation value was recorded at the Pico do Areeiro meteorological station (723.6 mm). It was also at this station that the highest daily precipitation value was observed, with 167.2 mm recorded on the 23^rd. In contrast, the lowest monthly value occurred at the Selvagem Grande station (13.6 mm).

Compared to the 1991–2020 climatological normal for March, all stations presented positive anomalies, with Chão do Areeiro standing out (+412.1 mm).

Regarding the number of days with precipitation, the Santo da Serra station stood out with 28 days with precipitation equal to or above 0.1 mm. For precipitation equal to or above 1.0 mm, the highest value was observed at the Chão do Areeiro station, with 23 days. With regard to precipitation equal to or above 10.0 mm, the maximum value was 11 days, recorded at the Chão do Areeiro and Pico do Areeiro stations. For higher precipitation thresholds, the Pico do Areeiro station stood out, with 10 days with precipitation equal to or above 20.0 mm and 8 days with precipitation equal to or above 30.0 mm.

Relative Humidity

In March, the monthly mean values of relative air humidity ranged between 62%, at the Funchal/Observatory station, and 97%, at the Santo da Serra station. The daily minimum value of relative air humidity was recorded at the Santa Catarina station, at 3% on the 22^nd, whilst the maximum value (100%) was reached at 13 stations on different days of the month.

Wind

In March, among the meteorological stations equipped with an anemometer, the highest mean wind speed was recorded at the Selvagem Grande station, at 37.2 km/h, whilst the lowest occurred at the Lugar de Baixo station, at 7.3 km/h. The maximum wind gust was recorded at the Chão do Areeiro station, reaching 143 km/h on the 3^rd.

Sunshine

In March, 212.7 hours of sunshine were recorded at the Funchal/Observatory station, 182.3 hours at the Santa Catarina/Airport station and 151.3 hours at Porto Santo/Airport.

Sea Water

In March, the mean sea water temperature, measured at Molhe da Pontinha (Funchal), was 17.6 °C. The highest daily mean temperature was recorded on the 2^nd, at 18.0 °C, whilst the lowest (17.3 °C) occurred on the 20^th and 26^th of March.

Notes:

¹ – Daily data and monthly accumulated values refer to observations from 09:00 to 09:00.

² – The 1991–2020 normal was used.

For further details, please visit:

• Dashboard (Portuguese only)

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