Portugal
Madeira in December: weather, sea & travel advice
This month's data profile
Clear transition month
Madeira in December is climatically well suited to city breaks and active holidays and hiking. The average daily high is around 19 °C, and the sea is about 20 °C. With about 10 rainy days it is wet.
Historical monthly averages, not a weather forecast. Individual days and years can differ substantially.
Rank among 12 monthly averages
63/100 · #9
Warmth
#8
Dryness
#12
Sun
#12
Sea warmth
#7
Published best categories: none
Madeira · DecemberPhoto: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0Climate facts
- Average high
- 19 °C
- Average low
- 17 °C
- Sea
- 20 °C
- Rainy days (est.)
- 10 rainy days (est.)
- Sun (est.)
- 3 h/day
- Humidity
- 78 %
For your trip planning
December: the wettest month, milder than January
December is the wettest month of the year on Madeira in our series, with 56 mm of precipitation against 46 mm in November and 43 mm in January. Average daily highs sit between the two neighbours: cooler than November, warmer than January. Plan a few indoor alternatives and keep outdoor days flexible for the wetter spells.
Climate evidence with direct month comparison
The highlighted row is the selected month. Precipitation total and rainy days are separate monthly averages.
| Month | Avg high °C | Avg low °C | Rainy days (est.) | Precipitation mm | Sun h/day (est.) | Humidity % | Wind m/s | Sea °C | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 20 | 18 | 9 | 46 | 3.8 | 77 | 5.0 | 22 | 74 |
| December (selected) | 19 | 17 | 10 | 56 | 3.2 | 78 | 5.2 | 20 | 63 |
| January | 17 | 16 | 8 | 43 | 3.5 | 77 | 4.9 | 19 | 62 |
How do the previous and next months compare?
Baseline: December (63/100)
Positive and negative values show the change from the selected month.
| Score Δ | Average high Δ | Average low Δ | Rainy days Δ | Rain Δ | Sun Δ | Humidity Δ | Wind Δ | Sea Δ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | +11 | +1.6 °C | +1.5 °C | -1.7 | -10.1 mm | +0.6 h | -0.9 % | -0.2 m/s | +1.5 °C |
| January | -1 | -1.2 °C | -1.2 °C | -2 | -13.6 mm | +0.3 h | -0.3 % | -0.2 m/s | -1.1 °C |
All twelve months in context
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Frequently asked questions
How warm is Madeira in December?
The average daily high is around 19 °C, with an average daily low of about 17 °C.
Can you swim in Madeira in December?
The sea is about 20 °C (refreshing).
Does it rain a lot in Madeira in December?
The curated estimate is about 10 rainy days per month, not a directly measured long-term average. Total precipitation averages around 56 mm for the month. A rainy day does not mean all-day rain.
When is the best time to visit Madeira?
By the climate score, June, July, August and September are the strongest months for Madeira. For a beach trip: June, July, August and September. December is not among them.