Weather in Madeira in October

How October compares

October is the 5th warmest month of the year in Madeira and ranks 82nd of 134 destinations we compare for October - see where else is hot in October. Within Portugal it is 8th of 13 (Portugal in October). Against London's average high of 14.6°C in October, Madeira is 7.6°C warmer by day and 10.1°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in October

The typical October day in Madeira peaks at 22.2°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 24.5°C or more. Roughly 1 in 17 days top 25°C and 1 in 1000 pass 30°C. Nights average 18.5°C; one night in ten drops to 16.4°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest October day here reached 30.7°C (2017-10-14) and the coldest night 12.5°C (2018-10-31).

Rain in October

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 12 days with 1 mm or more, 71 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest October was 2012 with 174 mm, the driest 1998 with 10 mm. Humidity averages 76%.

Sea temperature in October

The sea averages 22.9°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 22.2°C to 23.3°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (23.7°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.4 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.2 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 08:12 and sets about 19:35 local time in mid-October. Average cloud cover is 60%.

Is October a good time to visit Madeira?

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

Warm enough for swimming, not a hot-weather holiday

Expect comfortable warmth rather than the sort of heat that dictates your whole day. Highs average 22.2°C, and only 6% of days reach 25°C, so October suits travellers who prefer being outdoors without intense midday heat. Light clothing is a sensible starting point, with a removable layer for cooler spells and evenings. Nights average 18.5°C, though the coldest 10% fall to 16.4°C or below, so packing only summer clothes would be optimistic. At 22.9°C, the sea is warm enough for swimming, although personal comfort varies. This is a better fit for a mixed outdoor break with swims than a holiday built entirely around sunbathing.

Make room for rain and cloud

Rain is the main compromise: about 12 days have measurable rainfall, so a waterproof and plans you can rearrange are sensible. That does not mean every wet day is a washout, but it would be unwise to rely on dry weather throughout your stay. Sunshine averages about 4.4 hours within 11.2 hours of daylight, leaving plenty of daylight that is not necessarily sunny. Keep outdoor plans movable and take advantage of brighter spells rather than reserving all your swimming for a fixed day. If your main aim is the best weather Madeira offers, July, August and September are stronger choices; October asks for more tolerance of unsettled conditions.