In December 2023

25 days with rain were recorded at the Santo da Serra station, although the precipitation for the month was below the climatological normal for the 1961-1990 period 

The Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM) releases today a synthesis of the main meteorological data for the month of December 2023, simultaneously updating its respective Dashboard. This information¹ is provided by the Delegation of the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere I.P. (IPMA I.P), in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (ARM).

Air Temperature

In December 2023, the highest average temperature (20.5 °C) was recorded at 2 stations (Funchal/Lido and Lugar de Baixo), and the lowest average temperature was recorded at the Pico do Areeiro station (8.4 °C).

Compared to the climatological normals² of December, all stations for which this information was available (7 stations) showed higher values, with Santo da Serra standing out with a +3.2 °C deviation from the norm for this station.

Regarding the absolute maximum and minimum temperatures recorded last month, the extremes were recorded at Quinta Grande (27.2 °C on the 12^th) and Pico do Areeiro stations (0.5 °C on the 23^rd).

Precipitation

In December 2023, the highest total precipitation value was recorded at the Chão do Areeiro station (321.7 mm), with the highest daily precipitation value (104.8 mm) observed on the 14th. In contrast, the lowest monthly value was recorded at Funchal/Lido (15.7 mm).

Compared to the climatological normal of 1961-1990 for December, the Chão do Areeiro station showed a negative anomaly of about 126.0 mm. No station stood out with positive values compared to the normal.

Analysing days with precipitation (rainy, rainy days, and very rainy days), it is concluded that the maximum number of days with rain (days with 0.1 mm of precipitation or more) was recorded at the Santo da Serra station (25 days). However, the precipitation for the month was below the climatological normal for the period 1961-1990 (-49.7 mm). The maximum number of rainy days (days with 1.0 mm of precipitation or more) was also recorded at this station (10 days), as well as the number of very rainy days (days with 10 mm of precipitation or more), which was 6 days.

Relative Humidity

In December 2023, the average monthly values of relative humidity ranged between 62% in Quinta Grande and 89% in São Jorge. The minimum daily value of relative humidity (2%) was recorded at the Pico do Areeiro station on December 2, and the maximum value (100%) was reached at 7 stations on different days in December.

Wind

In December 2023, among the stations with anemometers, the Chão do Areeiro station recorded the highest average wind speed (20.3 km/h), while the Monte/Quinta Jardins do Imperador station recorded the lowest average (5.5 km/h). The highest wind gust was recorded on the 21^st at Chão do Areeiro (104 km/h).

Insolation

The insolation (number of hours of uncovered sunshine) in the month of December was 179.2 hours in Funchal/Observatory and 156.1 hours in Porto Santo. The normal values for these locations are 134.4 hours and 132.9 hours, respectively.

Notes:

¹ - The daily data and accumulated values for the month refer to observations from 9 am to 9 am.

² - The normals for the periods 1971-2000 are used for Porto Santo/Aeroporto and Funchal/Observatory stations. For the remaining stations, the normals for the periods 1961-1990 are applied.

For more information, please click on:

• Dashboard (Portuguese only)

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