The Azores have one of the mildest climates in Europe: it is rarely hot and never cold, with daytime temperatures between about 16 °C in winter and 25 °C in summer. What makes the weather famous is how fast it changes. Sun, cloud and showers can follow each other within an hour, and one side of an island can be clear while the other is in fog. This guide explains the climate month by month, how it differs between the islands and how to plan around it.
The short answer
- Mild all year: about 16–18 °C by day in winter, 23–26 °C in summer; nights rarely drop below 10 °C at sea level.
- Driest months: June to August. Wettest: October to February.
- Sea: about 16 °C in late winter, up to 23 °C in August and September.
- “Four seasons in a day”: pack layers and a rain jacket in every month, and check webcams before driving up to a crater.
Climate
Azores weather month by month
Approximate long-term averages for Ponta Delgada, on the south coast of São Miguel. The other islands are similar, with the differences explained below.
| Day °C |
Night °C |
Sea °C |
Rain mm |
Wet days |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17 | 12 | 17 | 100 | 15 |
| Feb | 17 | 11 | 16 | 90 | 13 |
| Mar | 17 | 12 | 16 | 85 | 13 |
| Apr | 18 | 12 | 16 | 65 | 11 |
| May | 20 | 14 | 17 | 50 | 9 |
| Jun | 22 | 16 | 19 | 30 | 7 |
| Jul | 25 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 5 |
| Aug | 26 | 19 | 23 | 35 | 6 |
| Sep | 25 | 18 | 23 | 70 | 9 |
| Oct | 22 | 16 | 21 | 100 | 12 |
| Nov | 20 | 14 | 19 | 110 | 14 |
| Dec | 18 | 13 | 18 | 110 | 15 |
Rain figures are approximate. A “wet day” here often means a few showers between sunny spells, not a day of steady rain.
Through the year
The seasons in the Azores
- Summer (June–September): the Azores High, a large area of high pressure, usually settles over the islands and brings the most stable, sunny weather. Warm but not hot, with humid evenings. The best time for swimming, hiking and climbing Mount Pico.
- Autumn (October–November): the sea is still warm in October, but Atlantic weather systems return, bringing more wind and rain as the weeks go on.
- Winter (December–March): mild but changeable, with the most rain and wind and the shortest days. Snow falls only on the summit of Mount Pico. A good time for hot springs and low prices.
- Spring (April–May): fresh and green, with the weather slowly settling. Showers are common, but so are clear, bright days.
Island differences
Weather on each island
| Island | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Santa Maria | The driest and sunniest island, especially its flat western half; the best bet for beach days. |
| São Miguel | Typical Azores weather. The south coast is sunnier than the north, and the crater lakes are often in cloud. |
| Terceira | Similar to São Miguel; the high centre is cool and wet, the south coast around Angra milder. |
| Graciosa | Low and relatively dry for the Azores, but windy. |
| São Jorge | The central ridge is often in cloud while the fajãs below are sunny. |
| Pico | A mild coast but a mountain with its own climate: the summit can be near freezing, with snow in winter. |
| Faial | Horta is fairly sheltered; the Caldeira in the centre fills with cloud easily. |
| Flores | The wettest and windiest island, which is why it has so many waterfalls. Flights are disrupted more often. |
| Corvo | Exposed and windy; boats and flights depend on the conditions. |
Why it changes so fast
Microclimates: the secret to Azores weather
The islands are small mountains in the middle of the ocean. Moist Atlantic air rises over them, cools and turns into cloud, often only over the high ground. That is why:
- Altitude matters most. The crater lakes and peaks are several degrees cooler and much more often in cloud than the coast. It can be sunny on the beach and foggy at Sete Cidades.
- Coasts differ. The side of an island facing the wind collects more cloud and rain; the sheltered side can stay dry.
- Clouds move fast. A viewpoint in fog can clear in twenty minutes, so waiting a little or coming back later often pays off.
The practical rule: plan each day around the forecast and the webcams, visit high viewpoints early in the morning, and keep a coastal or indoor plan for cloudy hours.
Swimming
Sea temperature in the Azores
The Gulf Stream keeps the sea mild all year. It is coolest in February to April, around 16 °C, and warmest in August and September, around 23 °C. Most people swim from about June to October; hot springs such as Ponta da Ferraria and the thermal pools of Furnas let you bathe in warm water all year.
Wind and storms
Wind, storms and hurricanes
- Wind is the most common nuisance, especially from October to March. It can cancel boat trips and delay inter-island flights, most often to Flores and Corvo.
- Atlantic storms pass mainly in autumn and winter, usually bringing a day or two of heavy rain and high seas.
- Hurricanes are rare, but the remains of Atlantic hurricanes occasionally reach the islands between August and October. Follow local warnings if one is forecast.
Whatever the season, leave a spare day before your flight home if you are island hopping.
Planning each day
Forecasts and webcams
- IPMA, Portugal’s official weather service, publishes forecasts and warnings for each island.
- Live webcams at the main lakes and viewpoints, such as Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo, show whether the view is clear before you drive up.
- Wind and wave apps are useful for boat trips, whale watching and swimming in natural pools.
Be ready
What to pack for Azores weather
- A light waterproof jacket, in every season.
- Layers: a fleece or light sweater for the crater rims and evenings.
- Walking shoes with good grip; trails are often wet.
- Swimwear (a dark one for the iron-rich hot springs) and water shoes for lava pools.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses: the sun is strong even on cloudy days.
Questions
Azores weather: FAQ
What is the weather like in the Azores?
Mild and changeable all year: about 16–18 °C by day in winter and 23–26 °C in summer, with frequent showers between sunny spells, especially from October to March.
What is the best month for weather in the Azores?
July and August are the warmest and driest; June and September are almost as good with fewer visitors.
Does it rain a lot in the Azores?
Yes, compared with mainland Portugal, especially in winter and on the higher ground. Rain usually comes in showers rather than all day, and the driest months are June to August.
Is it warm enough to swim in the Azores?
From about June to October the sea is around 20–23 °C. Outside those months, the hot springs and thermal pools are the warm option.
Does it snow in the Azores?
Only on the summit of Mount Pico, in winter. The rest of the islands never see snow.
Do hurricanes hit the Azores?
Rarely. The remains of Atlantic hurricanes occasionally reach the islands between August and October, but direct hits are uncommon.
Which Azores island has the best weather?
Santa Maria is the driest and sunniest. Flores is the wettest and windiest.