Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores, enjoys a temperate oceanic climate with mild, rainy winters and pleasantly warm summers. The city experiences moderate rainfall throughout the year, abundant humidity, and frequent Atlantic breezes. With narrow temperature variations and lush, green landscapes, Ponta Delgada is an inviting destination for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers year-round.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Ponta Delgada’s climate is defined by its Atlantic location, resulting in mild, wet winters and warm, relatively dry summers. Winter months (December to February) see average highs around 16–17°C and lows near 12–14°C. While snow is virtually unknown, rainfall is frequent and winds can make it feel cooler, with up to 120 mm of rain in the wettest months and 13–14 rainy days monthly. Sunshine is limited in winter, averaging 3–3.5 hours per day, but the air remains humid and the sea temperature hovers around 16–17°C.
Summers (June to August) are short, warm, and generally dry, with highs of 22–25°C and lows of 16–19°C. July and August are the sunniest and driest months, with only 25–50 mm of rain and up to 7 hours of sunshine per day. Even in summer, Atlantic breezes and occasional showers keep conditions fresh, and it’s wise to pack a light jacket for evenings. Spring and autumn are transitional, with mild temperatures (14–22°C), moderate rainfall, and variable weather. The sea is warmest from July to September (22–24°C), making these months the best for swimming and water activities. Winds are generally moderate, averaging 16–22 km/h year-round. Ponta Delgada’s climate is marked by lush greenery, thanks to nearly 1,000 mm of annual rainfall, and the city enjoys around 1,740 hours of sunshine each year.
| Average climate data for Ponta Delgada, Portugal | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 23 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 15 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 47 | 47 | 30 | 41 | 44 | 21 | 15 | 26 | 36 | 86 | 43 | 89 | 525 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 14 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 163 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 78 | 77 | 80 | 80 | 79 | 81 | 82 | 79 | 78 | 77 | 76 | 79 | 79 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 24 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 19 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 51 | 49 | 49 | 50 | 50 | 42 | 40 | 38 | 39 | 50 | 51 | 51 | 47 |
| Average UV index | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
The best time to visit Ponta Delgada is from June to September, when the weather is warmest, rainfall is lowest, and the sea is ideal for swimming. These months offer the most sunshine, perfect for outdoor adventures, festivals, and exploring the island’s lush landscapes. Early autumn (September) is especially pleasant with fewer crowds.
The least favourable time to visit Ponta Delgada is from November to February, when rainfall is highest, days are shorter, and winds can make it feel cooler. While winters are mild compared to mainland Europe, frequent rain and limited sunshine may restrict outdoor activities and beach enjoyment.
Ponta Delgada has a temperate oceanic climate with mild, rainy winters and warm, relatively dry summers. Temperatures range from 14°C in winter to 25°C in summer, with high humidity and moderate winds throughout the year.
The best beach weather is from July to September, when sea temperatures reach 22–24°C and days are warm and sunny. These months are ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.
Yes, rainfall is moderate to high, especially from October to March. The wettest months are November and December, with up to 120 mm of rain. Summer months are much drier, with fewer rainy days.
Ponta Delgada experiences moderate Atlantic breezes year-round, with average wind speeds of 16–22 km/h. Winds can feel stronger in winter, making the air seem cooler, especially during rainy periods.
The sea is warmest from July to September, with temperatures of 22–24°C, making swimming pleasant. Outside these months, the water is cooler but still swimmable for those who don’t mind brisk temperatures.
Pack layers, a rain jacket, and a jumper for cool evenings. In summer, bring light clothing and swimwear. Even in the warmest months, it’s wise to have a light jacket and umbrella for sudden showers.
No, Ponta Delgada’s temperatures are moderated by the Atlantic Ocean. Highs rarely exceed 28°C in summer or autumn below 6°C in winter. The climate is mild and stable, with little risk of heatwaves or frosts.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (23.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is March (16 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 19 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (22.1 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (14.7 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 17.7 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is September (23.3 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (15.8 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 19 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is December (88.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (15.2 mm). Over the whole year there are 525.2 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is October (19.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (9.1 days). Over the whole year there are 163.2 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is July (81.6 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is November (76.4 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 78.9 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is December (28.7 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (16.3 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 23.7 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is November (51.5 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (38 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 46.6 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 9.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 4.9 h). Over the whole year there are 7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are July, August and September (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February and March (UV index: 4). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.
