Weather & Climate in Portugal

Portugal is one of the hottest country in Europe. On the Portuguese continent, the average annual temperatures are around 15°C in the north and 18°C in the south. Madeira and the Azores, as might be expected, have a lower temperature range due to their island location, the former having low rainfall in most parts of the archipelago and the latter being humid and rainy. The spring and summer months are generally sunny and maximum temperatures are very high in July and August, with peaks between 35°C and 40°C (86°F – 95°F) inland and 30°C and 35°C (86°F – 95°F) in the north. Autumn and winter are generally rainy and windy, but sunny days are not uncommon. Temperatures rarely drop below 5°C (41°F) near the sea and average 10°C (50°F), but can reach several degrees below 0°C (32°F) further inland. In the northern mountainous regions, especially in the Serra da Estrela, snow often falls in winter but melts quickly once the season is over. The climate in Portugal can be categorized as Mediterranean.