Weather in Funchal in August

How August compares

August is the 1st warmest month of the year in Funchal. Within Portugal it is 13th of 13 (Portugal in August). Against London's average high of 21.4°C in August, Funchal is 4.2°C warmer by day and 7.2°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in August

The typical August day in Funchal peaks at 25.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 27.3°C or more. About 68% of days top 25°C and 1 in 100 pass 30°C. Nights average 20.7°C; one night in ten drops to 19.2°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day here reached 32.9°C (2020-08-27) and the coldest night 16.9°C (2018-08-03).

Rain in August

Dry (3 rainy days or fewer): about 3 days with 1 mm or more, 7 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest August was 2004 with 27 mm, the driest 1998 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 73%.

Sea temperature in August

The sea averages 23.3°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 22.7°C to 23.9°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (23.7°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 8.3 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.2 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:31 and sets about 20:53 local time in mid-August. Average cloud cover is 37%.

Is August a good time to visit Funchal?

Yes - it is one of the better months: hot days, little rain and long sunny days. The best months for Funchal on our scoring are July, August, September; months averaging 25°C or more: Aug.

Warm days, with little cooling after dark

August suits travellers who like dependable warmth but would rather avoid frequent very hot days. Temperatures reach 25°C on 68% of days, while only 1% reach 30°C, so extreme heat is not the usual pattern. Humidity averages 73%, though, which can make walking feel warmer than the temperature suggests. Choose light, breathable clothing and keep more energetic plans for the cooler parts of the day. Evenings offer some relief, but they are still warm rather than crisp. A light layer is sensible if you tend to feel cool when sitting outside; heavy evening clothing is unlikely to earn its space in your bag.

Good swimming weather, with rain a small risk

The sea is warm enough for swimming, making August a sensible choice if time in the water matters to your holiday. It should suit travellers who find cooler Atlantic water off-putting, although personal comfort varies. Rain is unlikely to shape most of your plans: there are about 3 rainy days during the month, so a flexible approach makes more sense than organising everything around wet-weather alternatives. You get about 8.3 hours of sunshine within 13.2 hours of daylight, leaving room to spend time outside without doing it all at midday. Pack sun protection and something light for a shower, but do not expect uninterrupted sunshine simply because rainfall is low.