In May 2024,
Average air temperature exceeded the climatological normal in all stations, with deviations of around 2°C
The Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM) released today a summary of the main meteorological data for May 2024, simultaneously updating the respective Dashboard. This information1 is provided by the Delegation of the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere I.P. (IPMA I.P), in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
Air Temperature
In May 2024, the highest average temperature (20.7 °C) was recorded at the Funchal/Lido station while the lowest average temperature was recorded at Chão do Areeiro (10.5 °C).
Compared to the climatological normals2 for May, all the stations for which this information was available (7 stations) showed higher values, with Funchal/Observatory standing out with the most deviation of +2.6 °C from its normal temperature.
Regarding the absolute maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in May, the highest extreme was observed at Funchal/Lido (25.7 °C on the 17th) and Lugar de Baixo (on the 11th). The lowest extreme was recorded at the Pico do Areeiro (1.2 °C on the 19th).
Precipitation
In May 2024, the highest total precipitation was recorded at the Santo da Serra meteorological station (86.9 mm), with the highest daily value (29.8 mm) occurring on the 18th. Funchal/Lido and Cancela stations did not record any rainfall.
Compared to the 1961-1990 climatological normal for May, the Chão do Areeiro showing a negative anomaly (96.2 mm). Santana and Santo da Serra showed positive values compared to normal (20.9 mm and 5.5 mm respectively).
Analysing days with precipitation (rainy, rainy and very rainy days), it was found 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 (19 days) . The maximum number of rainy days (days with 1.0 mm of precipitation or more) was recorded at the Santo da Serra and Santana stations (both with 9 days). The Santo da Serra station also recorded 3 very rainy days (days with 10 mm of precipitation or more).
Relative Humidity
In May 2024, the average monthly values of relative humidity ranged from 60% at Pico do Areeiro to 94% in São Jorge. The minimum daily value of relative air humidity (3%) was recorded at the Pico do Areeiro station on the 13th, while the maximum value (100%) was reached at 7 stations, on different days of the month.
Wind
In May 2024, among stations with an anemometer, the Ponta de São Lourenço station recorded the highest average wind intensity (18.9 km/h), while the Monte/Quinta Jardins do Imperador station recorded the lowest average (4.0 km/h). The highest wind gust was recorded on the 2nd in Santa Catarina/Airport (86.0 km/h).
Insolation
The maximum and minimum Insolation (number of hours of uncovered sunlight) in May were 234.8 hours at Santa Catarina/Aeroporto3, and 186.6 hours at the Funchal Observatory, compared to normal value of 182. 9 hours for this last station.
Sea Water Temperature
In May, the average sea water temperature measured at Molhe da Pontinha (Funchal) was 20.3 °C (+1.7 °C than the normal value for this month). The highest average was recorded on the 15th (20.7 °C) and the lowest (19.9 °C) in the first 3 days of May.
Notes:
1 - Daily data and cumulative values for the month 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.
3 - There are no normal values for insolation for the Santa Catarina/Airport station.
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