DREM updates the time series of Meteorological Information with 2023 data

The Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM) today updates the “Time Series of Meteorological Information” on its website with data from 2023, 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). Additionally, the dashboard summarising the main surface meteorological information for 2023 has been updated, allowing the selection of different indicators related to the 21 operational meteorological stations in the ARM (excluding the Selvagens station due to the absence of data in 2023).

Air temperature – 2023 was warmer than 2022 at all stations

In all meteorological stations in the ARM (with temperature records for 2023), the annual average temperature increased compared to 2022.

Over the past 48 years, at the Funchal/Observatory station, the annual average temperatures have ranged between 18.1 °C in 1976 and 1984, and 21.6 °C in 2023, the hottest year at this station since records existed, consolidating the upward trend that has occurred uninterruptedly since 2019. Compared to 2022, the annual average temperature in this season increased by 1.0 °C.  

When comparing to the climatological normal 1961-1990 (average reference period of air temperature), in 2023, all stations for which this information is available (7 stations in 2023) showed higher values, highlighting Chão do Areeiro and Santo da Serra with +3.3 °C deviation from the normal for these stations.

The highest annual average temperature was recorded at the Lugar de Baixo station (21.7 °C) and the lowest was at Pico do Areeiro (11.5 °C). As for the maximum and minimum air temperatures in the past year, the extremes were observed at the Quinta Grande station (39.1 °C in June) and Bica da Cana (-2.6 °C in February). It should be noted that the value of 39.1 °C is the current absolute maximum in Madeira. The previous highest-ever maximum temperature was 39.0 °C, recorded in August 1976, at the now-defunct Sanatório do Monte station.

August was the hottest month of 2023 in 19 out of the 21 operational meteorological stations in the ARM, with monthly average temperatures ranging from 19.0 °C at Chão do Areeiro station to 25.7 °C at the Funchal/Observatory stations and Lugar de Baixo. In contrast, February was the coldest month in all seasons, with monthly average temperatures ranging from 2.9 °C  at Pico do Areeiro to 17.5 °C at Funchal/Lido station.

Regarding the number of tropical nights, which are nights with a minimum temperature equal to or higher than 20 °C, in 2023, all stations recorded a significant increase. The Funchal/Lido station stood out with 138 nights, followed by the Porto Moniz stations with 135 nights. Compared to the 1961-1990 normal, all stations recorded more tropical nights, with the the Funchal/Observatory station (+113 nights), Lugar de Baixo (+97 nights), Santa Catarina/Airport (+85 nights) and Porto Santo ( +74 nights) being the most notable.

In 12 stations, the maximum temperature exceeded 30 ºC on 10 or more days in 2023, highlighting the Quinta Grande station with 22 days with more than 30 ºC, two of which exceeded 35 ºC.

In 2023, the highest average daily temperature range (difference between the maximum and minimum temperature recorded in a 24-hour period) occurred at the Quinta Grande and São Vicente stations (8.4 °C). The smallest difference between the average maximum and minimum temperatures was observed at the Caniçal/Ponta de São Lourenço station (4.4 °C).

Precipitation – 2023 was less rainy than 2022

In 2023, most stations with precipitation records for the past two years reported lower precipitation values compared to 2022, with the Santana station showing the largest decrease in total precipitation: 1,031.7 mm in 2022 and 859.0 mm in 2023. Conversely, 4 stations recorded slight increases in annual precipitation: Santa Catarina/Airport with 493.7 mm in 2022 and 641.7 mm in 2023.

Compared to the climatological normal 1961-1990, the values ​​recorded in 2023 were significantly lower, with Chão do Areeiro and Santana stations showing negative deviations of 719.4 mm and 582.6 mm, respectively. No station recorded a positive deviation from the normal.

In 2023, the highest annual precipitation values ​​were recorded at the Chão do Areeiro (2,219.9 mm) and Pico do Areeiro (1,908.2 mm) stations. The lowest values ​​occurred at the Funchal/Lido (298.7mm) and Porto Santo/Airport (334.5 mm).

June was the rainiest month in most stations, with the Chão do Areeiro station recording the highest precipitation value (771.9 mm). This value is currently the absolute maximum for precipitation in June.

July and August were generally the months with the least precipitation, with values ​​ranging from 0.0 mm at the Funchal/Observatory and Lugar de Baixo stations to 24.8 mm at the Achadas da Cruz/Lombo da Terça.

Regarding the days with precipitation (rain, rainy, very rainy and extremely rainy), it can be observed that the maximum number of days with rain (days with 1 mm of precipitation or more) was recorded at Chão do Areeiro station (111 days), while the Chão do Areeiro and Pico do Areeiro stations recorded the highest number of rainy days (days with 10 mm of precipitation or more) (42 days). Pico do Areeiro also stood out in the number of very rainy days (23 days with 20 mm of precipitation or more) and Chão do Areeiro for the number of extremely rainy days (17 days with 30 mm of precipitation or more).

It should be noted that at Funchal/Observatory and Chão do Areeiro stations, the number of rainy days has been consistently below the 1961-1990 normal for the past 13 years.

In 2023, 293 dry days were recorded at the Funchal/Observatory station, the maximum value in all stations, although it is 18 days lower than the 2022 record. The lowest number of dry days was observed in Santana (177 days).

Relative air humidity – 2023 showed no significant differences compared to the previous year

Among the stations that have annual average relative humidity data, presented a value slightly lower than or equal to that of 2022, except Ponta de São Jorge which presented a value slightly higher than the previous year (+1.0%).

In the past year, the annual average relative humidity values ranged from 63%, in Quinta Grande, to 90% in Ponta de S. Jorge.

When examining the monthly information, it is worth noting that the minimum average relative humidity value (38%) was recorded at the Pico do Areeiro station in August, while the maximum average value (97%) was registered at the Achadas da Cruz/Lombo da Terça station in January.

More hours of sunshine, less wind and higher sea water temperatures

In 2023, insolation (number of hours of uncovered sunlight) increased in the three stations for which this information is collected: Funchal Observatory, Airport/Santa Catarina and Porto Santo/Airport. The maximum value of sunshine was recorded in Porto Santo, 2,642.2 hours of sunshine, 456.7 hours above the normal value from 1971-2000.

In 2023, the annual average of the mean wind speed decreased practically in all stations with an anemometer (16 stations). Chão do Areeiro station had the highest annual average (17.6 km/h), while the Monte/Quinta Jardins do Imperador station had the lowest average (4.8 km/h). The highest wind gust was recorded at Chão do Areeiro station (138 km/h) in October.

In 2023, the annual average sea water temperature measured at Molhe da Pontinha (Funchal) was 21.7 °C, a higher value than in 2022 (20.8 ºC). The highest average temperature was in September (24.6 °C), while the lowest was in February (18.9 °C).

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