Weather in Madeira in January

How January compares

January is the 11th warmest month of the year in Madeira and ranks 58th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within Portugal it is 1st of 13 (Portugal in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Madeira is 9.4°C warmer by day and 11.5°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Madeira peaks at 16.8°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 18.8°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 13.7°C; one night in ten drops to 11.4°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 21.5°C (2018-01-03) and the coldest night 8.7°C (2019-01-10).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 8 days with 1 mm or more, 53 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 1996 with 177 mm, the driest 2013 with 4 mm. Humidity averages 77%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 18.7°C - bracing (18-22°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 18.1°C to 19.2°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (23.7°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.7 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 10.1 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 08:10 and sets about 18:23 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 64%.

Is January a good time to visit Madeira?

January is not the strongest month here: mild days and frequent rain. The best months for Madeira on our scoring are July, August, September; months averaging 25°C or more: Aug.

Mild afternoons, but keep a layer handy

January is among Madeira's cooler months, so think comfortable weather for being active rather than lying out in the heat. Average nights fall to 13.7°C, making a jumper or light jacket useful for evenings outside. The warmest days reach 18.8°C or more, which gives you scope to shed a layer, but sustained summer-like heat is not a sensible expectation. Colder nights can fall to 11.4°C or below, so do not pack solely around the averages. Light layers give you more flexibility than either a summer-only wardrobe or bulky winter clothing. This month suits travellers who prefer gentle daytime temperatures and do not mind covering up after dark.

Leave room in your plans for rain

Rain is a meaningful catch in January, with about 8 rainy days during the month. That does not make every day a washout, but it does make a waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet conditions sensible packing choices. Sunshine averages about 3.7 hours within 10.1 hours of daylight, so daylight should not be mistaken for uninterrupted sun. Keep outdoor plans flexible and use brighter spells when they arrive, rather than relying on a fixed day for everything you want to do outside. If your holiday depends on spending most of the day in sunshine, January is a compromise; if mild temperatures matter more, the wetter weather may be acceptable.