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Climate in Portugal


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine

Flag - Portugal

Map - Portugal

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In Portugal, the climate is subtropical oceanic in the northwest, with mild, rainy winters and warm, sunny summers, while in the northeast, occupied by hills, the climate is semi-continental, with quite cold winters, and warm to hot summers during the day, but with cool nights.
In the center-south, characterized by mild winters, less frequent rains and longer summers, we can speak of Mediterranean climate, with nuances regarding the rainfall, which progressively decreases as you go south, and the summer temperatures, which are cool in the areas most exposed to the ocean winds, and hot in the interior, towards the border with Spain.
In the north-central, there are also mountain ranges. In the highest, Serra da Estrela, which reaches 1,993 meters (6,537 feet), you can ski in winter.

In the following map, we can see the climate zones in Portugal.

Climate zones in Portugal

Rainfall is more frequent and abundant in the north, and gradually less frequent as you go south. In fact, annual precipitation amounts to 1,450 mm (57 inches) in Braga and 1,250 millimeters (49 in) in Porto, while it drops to around 900 mm (35 in) in Coimbra, to 800 mm (31.5 in) in Lisbon, and to about 500 mm (20 in) in Algarve.
Therefore, the landscape in the north is definitely green, while it gradually becomes more arid towards the south, down to Algarve, which has a fairly dry climate.
Portugal is a country in southwestern Europe bordering the Atlantic Ocean.

The climate in detail


  • The seasons
  • North - Porto, Bragança, Penhas Douradas
  • Center-south - Lisbon, Beja
  • Algarve - Faro
  • When to go
  • What to pack
  • Climate data

The seasons



Winter, from December to February, is mild on the coast, even in the northern part, since the average temperature in January is around 10 °C (50 °F) in Porto, 12 °C (53.5 °F) in Lisbon, and 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) in Faro.
In winter, there are periods of good weather when the Azores Anticyclone settles in the country. However, there are also waves of bad weather, with rain and wind. Sometimes, gale force winds may blow from the ocean, especially in the north.
The position of the country, overlooking the ocean and on the periphery of Europe, provides good shelter from cold currents. Indeed, night frosts are very rare and not intense, especially on the coast, where the records are a few degrees below freezing in the north and around 0 °C (32 °F) in the south.
On the other hand, in the inland areas of the center-north, winter is colder, especially in hilly and mountainous areas, where it can sometimes even snow.

Summer, from June to mid-September, is sunny because Portugal in this season is protected by the Azores High, however, a few weather fronts can still affect the northern part of the country.
The summer is very mild or pleasantly warm on the north coast, and warm to hot in the center and south. In Porto, the daily average temperatures in August is 20 °C (68 °F), with highs around 25 °C (77 °F). In Lisbon, the average is higher, and reaches 23.5 °C (74.5 °F), with highs around 28 °C (82 °F). However, in the coastal areas most exposed to ocean winds, which usually blow from the northwest (see Peniche, Cabo da Roca), it is cool even in summer. The Algarve coast is more sheltered, and therefore the temperatures are similar to those of Lisbon.
The heat is more intense in the interior, especially in the south-central, in the plains and in valleys at low altitudes (see Évora, Beja), where sometimes it can be scorching.
However, from mid-June to early September, the whole of Portugal can be hit by heat waves from Africa. In these situations, the temperature can exceed 36/37 °C (97/99 °F) on the coasts, while it can exceed 40 °C (104 °F) in inland areas.

Spring and autumn are cool in the north and mild in the south. The rains are quite frequent, especially in the north, where it can sometimes be a bit cold.

North


Porto

Climate chart - Porto
In Porto, located in the northern part of the coast, the average temperature ranges from 10 °C (50 °F) in January to 20 °C (68 °F) in August.
The rains are more frequent and abundant from November to February, while they are quite rare in summer.
The temperature of the sea in the northern part of the coast is very cool, if not cold, even in summer, in fact it reaches 19 °C (66 °F) in August.

Porto, Ribeira

In the inland areas of the north, east of Aveiro and Oporto, the winter is colder, not only for the greater distance to the sea, but also because the altitude increases, and at times it can snow.

Bragança

Climate chart - Bragança
In Bragança, located in the extreme north-east, at 700 meters (2,300 feet), near the Montesinho Natural Park, the average in January is 5 °C (41 °F). During the most intense cold periods, the temperature can go down to around -10 °C (14 °F). Summer is hot and sunny, even though nights are cool. Sometimes it can get very hot here as well.

Further south, and north-east of Coimbra, we find a mountain range, the Serra da Estrela, which reaches 1,993 meters (6,539 ft). Here the temperature can drop to -15/-20 °C (-4/5 °F).
To the north-east of the Serra da Estrela we find Manteigas, at almost 800 meters (2,600 feet), and Guarda, which is located at 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) above sea level.

Penhas Douradas

Climate chart - Penhas Douradas
In Penhas Douradas, 1,400 meters (4,600 ft) above sea level and a short distance from Manteigas, the average temperature ranges from 3.5 °C (38 °F) in January to 19 °C (66 °F) in August.
Precipitation exceeds 1,500 mm (59 in) per year.

Center-south


In central and southern Portugal, winter is milder, Atlantic disturbances pass less often over the region, and windy days are less frequent. Summer is warmer, but not on the coast, where the ocean air is felt even in this season.

Lisbon

Climate chart - Lisbon
Lisbon, the capital, is located not exactly on the Atlantic coast, but in a sheltered bay on the estuary of the Tagus river, so in summer it is warm, with highs of 28/28.5 °C (82.5/83 °F) in July and August (while for example, at Cabo da Roca, it is cool even in summer).
The sun in central and southern Portugal shines regularly in summer, but even in winter there are several sunny periods. In the north, the sun shines a little less often in Porto, on average, about an hour less in both winter and summer.
In Lisbon, the sea temperature is slightly warmer than in Porto, although it's still very cool for swimming, in fact, it only reaches 20.5 °C (69 °F) in July and August.

Lisbon

In inland south-central areas (Alentejo region, see Évora, Beja), summer is definitely hot, especially during heat waves from Africa.

Beja

Climate chart - Beja
In Beja, the maximum temperatures in July and August exceed 33 °C (91.5 °F), furthermore, the temperature can reach 45 °C (113 °F) in the worst moments.
In August 2003, in Amareleja, a town located in Alentejo, north-east of Beja, the temperature reached 47.3 °C (117 °F).

Algarve



Map of Algarve

In the far south, in Algarve, along the south-facing Atlantic coast, in cities such as Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira, Faro, and Tavira, the climate is Mediterranean, though the summer is not as sultry as in the real Mediterranean areas. The climate here is similar to that of Lisbon but a little less rainy, in fact, the yearly rainfall is around 500 mm (20 in).
Summer is sunny, and there are often lively breezes; in addition, there may be some days a bit cool, with highs below 25 °C (77 °F), especially in June and in the first half of July.
However, the cold records in the Algarve are around 0 °C (32 °F), while the heat records are around 40 °C (104 °F).

Faro

Climate chart - Faro
In Faro, the average temperature ranges from 12.3 °C (54 °F) in January to 24.4 °C (76 °F) in July and August.
The sea on the south coast of Algarve is cool, although a little less than in the rest of Portugal, in fact, it reaches 21.5 °C (71 °F) in August and September.

Sagres

Climate chart - Sagres
On the south-western tip, in Cape St. Vincent and in Sagres, the summer is cooler: average highs in July and August are only around 25/25.5 °C (77/78 °F).

Sagres

When to go



The best periods to visit the cities of Portugal are from mid-May to mid-June and from mid-September to early October, since in summer it can sometimes get very hot.
On the coasts, where the heat is less frequent, and generally less intense, you can go in the summer, also because on very hot days you can seek refuge by the sea.
Winter is mild, but it can be very rainy and windy, especially in the north, and it can be cold in inland areas.
If you want to go on a beach holiday, the best period is summer, especially July and August (and also the first half of September in the center and south), however, as mentioned, the temperature of the ocean is not high, and is definitely cool on the north coast.

What to pack



In winter: for Lisbon and the south coast, bring spring/autumn clothes, a sweater, a coat, a rain jacket; you can bring a jacket a bit heavier and a hat for Porto and the northern coast. For inland and mountainous areas: warm clothes, such as a down jacket, a hat, a raincoat or umbrella.
In summer: bring light clothes, a sun hat, a light scarf for the sea breeze, a sweatshirt for the evening; a sweatshirt and a light jacket for the north and the mountains.

See also the climate of the Azores islands and of Madeira.

Climate data - Portugal


Temperatures: °C, Precipitation: mm
Albufeira
Albufeira, location on the map
Albufeira, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.89911131618181714119
Max temp.161618192225282826221916
Precip.95705540301500155585100
Prec. days911795211281012
Day length10010912013214214714413512411210297
Sun hours66891011121210866
Sea temp161616161819202121201917

Alcobaça
Alcobaça, location on the map
Alcobaça, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.68810121416161413108
Max temp.141617192323252726231816
Precip.1051006075652510103595125130
Prec. days111181094125101113
Day length9810812013314414914613612411110094
Sun hours556791011118654
Sea temp151515151618192020191816

Aveiro
Aveiro, location on the map
Aveiro, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.67910121516161513108
Max temp.141518182023242424211715
Precip.1108545909030102055110130130
Prec. days1110712104225101213
Day length971071201341451501471371241119993
Sun hours457891011118755
Sea temp141414151617181919181715

Beja (245 meters)
Beja, location on the map
Beja, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.668912141617151397
Max temp.141619212530333329241815
Precip.6550505550150530806585
Prec. days867762003878
Humidity82%78%74%72%64%56%51%52%60%70%79%84%
Day length9910812013214314814513612411210196
Sun hours5678101112129765

Braga_
Braga_, location on the map
Braga_, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.457810141515131186
Max temp.141518182125282826211714
Precip.19516010012512060253080165175230
Prec. days14121012127446111214
Day length961061201341461511481381241109892
Sun hours446781010108654
Sea temp141414141617181918181615

Bragança (670 meters)
Bragança, location on the map
Bragança, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.1146812141412842
Max temp.91215172126303025191310
Precip.100607065703015154010085110
Prec. days1078984224989
Humidity84%74%66%66%62%56%50%49%58%73%81%85%
Day length951061201341461521481381241109892
Sun hours456781012118653

Castelo Branco (385 meters)
Castelo Branco, location on the map
Castelo Branco, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.567912151718161285
Max temp.131418202429323328221613
Precip.1106035606525101035105120130
Prec. days8648731158910
Humidity80%73%61%62%59%49%41%43%53%69%78%83%
Day length9710712013314415014613712411110094
Sun hours568891111118654

Coimbra
Coimbra, location on the map
Coimbra, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.568911141615141296
Max temp.151619202226282927231815
Precip.11010565858040151550105110125
Prec. days1211811105225101012
Day length971071201331441501471371241119994
Sun hours557891012118755

Évora (300 meters)
Évora, location on the map
Évora, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.557811141616151285
Max temp.141619212530333430241815
Precip.806540605020105307075105
Prec. days8868631137810
Humidity79%77%70%68%63%58%52%52%56%67%75%80%
Day length9810812013314314814513612411110195
Sun hours5678101112129765

Faro
Faro, location on the map
Faro, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.8911121518202018161210
Max temp.161719212327292926232017
Precip.6045503525500305565110
Prec. days755551002668
Humidity78%75%73%70%67%63%59%62%69%75%76%79%
Day length10010912013214214714413512411210297
Sun hours6688101112119765
Sea temp161616171820212221201917

Lisbon
Lisbon, location on the map
Lisbon, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.9911121417181918151210
Max temp.151619202326282826231815
Precip.11080757060150540115135105
Prec. days108885211491010
Humidity82%78%73%71%67%64%62%62%66%74%80%84%
Day length9810812013314314814513612411110195
Sun hours567891011119755
Sea temp161515161719202020201817

Penhas Douradas (1.400 meters)
Penhas Douradas, location on the map
Penhas Douradas, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.1134711141411842
Max temp.6891215202324201497
Precip.20018511014013070251565180205255
Prec. days13131112107326111212
Day length971071201331441501471371241119994
Sun hours44568911118644

Peniche
Peniche, location on the map
Peniche, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.101012131416171717161310
Max temp.141416171820212121201715
Precip.90601008050001030406090
Day length9810812013314414914613612411110094
Sun hours5678101012119765
Sea temp151515151618192020191816

Portalegre (500 meters)
Portalegre, location on the map
Portalegre, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.668911151718161397
Max temp.121316172127303027201512
Precip.1109565807030101040100115135
Prec. days101079841149911
Day length9810812013314414914613612411110094
Sun hours556791011118655

Porto
Porto, location on the map
Porto, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.668912141515141297
Max temp.141517182023242524211715
Precip.1601409011510045202570140160195
Prec. days13121011106336111213
Humidity80%77%75%76%76%77%79%79%79%80%81%81%
Day length961071201341451511481371241119993
Sun hours45678910107654
Sea temp141414141617181918181615

Sagres
Sagres, location on the map
Sagres, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.9911121416171817151210
Max temp.161618192124252625221917
Precip.555055402550020609075
Prec. days767741002798
Day length10010912013214214714413512411210297
Sun hours6689101112129866

Santarém
Santarém, location on the map
Santarém, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.67910121516161613107
Max temp.151620212428313129241916
Precip.95805065552555358590105
Prec. days101079731148911
Day length9810812013314414914613612411110095
Sun hours556791011118654

Viana do Castelo
Viana do Castelo, location on the map
Viana do Castelo, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.567911141515141186
Max temp.151618182124262625211715
Precip.19017010512010555303095165180230
Prec. days14131012117447121215
Day length961061201341461521481381241109892
Sun hours4567891097554
Sea temp141414141617181918181615

Vila Real (450 meters)
Vila Real, location on the map
Vila Real, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.346710131415131064
Max temp.101215172225292926201310
Precip.14516085806555151550115110175
Prec. days1211998633510911
Humidity84%76%70%71%67%64%59%58%63%75%82%85%
Day length961071201341451511481371241109992
Sun hours34668911108543

Viseu (440 meters)
Viseu, location on the map
Viseu, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.2356912141412964
Max temp.121417182126303026211612
Precip.155135751059545202055135135195
Prec. days1210811105226101013
Day length971071201341451501471371241119993
Sun hours457791012118654



See also the temperatures month by month

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 See also (cities or regions):
 Alcobaça
 Aveiro
 Beja
 Braga
 Bragança
 Castelo Branco
 Coimbra
 Évora
 Faro
 Others (expand)
 Guarda
 Lisbon
 Peniche
 Portalegre
 Porto
 Santarém
 Viana do Castelo
 Vila Real
 Viseu

 Weather by month:
 January
 February
 March
 April
 May
 June
 July
 August
 September
 October
 November
 December

 Nearby countries:
 Azores
 Canary Islands
 Madeira
 Spain

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 North America
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 Antarctica
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