Weather in Madeira in August

How August compares

August is the 1st warmest month of the year in Madeira and ranks 122nd of 134 destinations we compare for August - see where else is hot in August. Within Portugal it is 12th of 13 (Portugal in August). Against London's average high of 21.4°C in August, Madeira 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 Madeira 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 Madeira?

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

Warm days, with little need for extreme-heat planning

Madeira in August suits travellers who want summer clothing weather but would rather avoid frequent scorching days. Temperatures reach 25°C on 68% of days, while only 1% reach 30°C. That makes warmth a reasonable expectation, not a promise of intense heat. Humidity averages 73%, so loose, breathable clothes are a better choice than anything heavy or close-fitting. Keep more energetic plans away from midday if you dislike feeling hot, and leave room for breaks. Evenings remain warm on average, so pack mainly light clothing, with a light layer for nights that feel cooler than expected.

Dry enough for flexible outdoor plans

Rain is unlikely to dominate an August holiday: there are about 3 rainy days across the month. That favours outdoor plans without making a completely dry stay certain. A light waterproof is a sensible backup, rather than something to build your packing around. There are about 8.3 hours of sunshine within 13.2 hours of daylight, giving you plenty of time outside without implying uninterrupted blue skies. You can spread activities through the day instead of trying to fit everything into the hottest part. Pack sun protection alongside that rain layer, and keep plans flexible if a shower arrives.

Sea temperatures that support a swimming holiday

The sea is warm enough for swimming in August, with an average temperature of 23.3°C and a year-to-year range of 23°C to 24°C. That makes this a sensible month if getting into the water matters as much as sitting outside in warm weather. It is still a personal comfort judgement: warm enough to swim does not mean everyone will find the water instantly comfortable. Pack swimwear, but remember that sea temperature alone does not tell you about conditions on the day. Overall, August offers a useful balance of warm air, swimmable water and little rain, rather than a holiday defined by fierce heat.