In March 2024

Rainfall increased at almost all stations, following four consecutive months with precipitation below the 1961-1990 climatological norm

The Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira released today a summary of the main meteorological data for March 2024, simultaneously updating the respective Dashboard. This information¹ is provided by the Delegation of the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA I.P) in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

Air Temperature 

In March 2024, the highest average temperature (18.9°C) was recorded at the Funchal/Lido station, while the lowest average temperature was recorded at Pico do Areeiro (6.1°C).

Compared to the climatological normals² for March, all stations for which this information was available (7 stations) showed higher values, with Santo da Serra standing out with a deviation of +2.5°C from its normal temperature.

Regarding the absolute maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in March, extremes were observed at the Funchal/Lido station (24.8°C on the 24t^h) and at Pico do Areeiro (-1.9°C on the 8^th).

Precipitation 

In March 2024, the highest total precipitation was recorded at the Chão do Areeiro meteorological station (334.7 mm), with the highest daily value (70.4 mm) occurring on the 13^th. Conversely, the lowest monthly value was recorded at Cancela (55.0 mm).

Compared to the 1961-1990 climatological normal for March, almost all stations showed positive deviations from the normal, with only the Santo da Serra station showing a slight negative anomaly (7.3 mm).

Analysing days with precipitation (days with rain, rainy, and very rainy days), it was found that the maximum number of rainy days (days with 0.1 mm or more of precipitation) was recorded at the Santo da Serra and Santana stations (28 and 27 days, respectively). The maximum number of rainy days (days with 1.0 mm or more of precipitation) was recorded at the Pico do Areeiro station (19 days). The Chão do Areeiro station recorded 12 very rainy days (days with 10 mm or more of precipitation).

Relative Humidity

In March 2024, the average monthly values of relative air humidity ranged from 63% at Funchal/Observatory to 93% in São Jorge. The minimum daily value of relative air humidity (4%) was recorded at the Pico do Areeiro station on the 17^th, while the maximum value (100%) was reached at 8 stations on different days of March.

Wind 

In March 2024, among stations with anemometers, the Chão do Areeiro station recorded the highest average wind speed (25.7 km/h), while the Monte/Quinta Jardins do Imperador station recorded the lowest average (5.9 km/h). The highest wind gust was recorded on the 21^st at Chão do Areeiro (117 km/h).

Insolation 

The maximum and minimum insolation (number of hours of uncovered sunshine) in March were 208.1 hours at Funchal/Observatory and 201.1 hours at Porto Santo, compared to normal values of 172.2 hours and 171.0 hours, respectively.

Sea Water Temperature

In March, the average sea water temperature measured at Molhe da Pontinha (Funchal) was 19.3°C (+1.7°C compared to the normal value for this month). The highest average was recorded on the first and fifth days of the month (20.0°C), and the lowest (18.2°C) on the last day of March.

Notes: 

¹ - Daily data and monthly cumulative values refer to observations from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

² - The 1971-2000 normals are used for the Porto Santo/Airport 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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