A Month of Unseasonably Warm Weather
October 2024 brought an unusual stretch of warmth to Madeira, with Funchal experiencing a significant spike in temperature. According to the Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM), the Funchal/Observatory station recorded 26 days with maximum temperatures exceeding 25°C - well above the typical 11.9 days for this time of year. This extended period of warmth is part of a broader trend across the island, where temperatures throughout the month were consistently higher than usual.
Widespread Above-Average Temperatures
The average temperature for Funchal/Observatory was 23.3°C, the island’s highest for the month, while Pico do Areeiro, located at a higher elevation, recorded the lowest average temperature of 12.5°C. All seven weather stations across the region reported temperatures above the October climate norms, with Santo da Serra standing out with an anomaly of 3.3°C above average. These figures paint a clear picture of a month that bucked the seasonal trend, pushing temperatures far beyond what is typical for autumn in Madeira.
Temperature Extremes Across the Island
The temperature swings during the month were striking. On October 21, the Porto Moniz station recorded the highest temperature of 29.8°C, while the lowest temperature, 2.6°C, was observed at Pico do Areeiro on October 26. This sharp contrast between the hottest and coldest points on the island highlights Madeira’s unique microclimates, where coastal areas experience warmth while higher elevations see a dramatic drop in temperature.
Rainfall Patterns: A Mixed Picture
While temperatures climbed, the rainfall across the island showed more variation. The Chão do Areeiro station saw the heaviest total precipitation for the month, recording 282.4 mm. On October 15, the Prazeres station experienced the heaviest daily rainfall, with 56.4 mm falling in just one day. Though most stations reported slightly below-average rainfall compared to long-term October norms, the Porto Santo/Airport station was a notable exception, recording a small positive deviation.
Rainy Days and Local Variations
The number of rainy days also varied greatly across the island. Santana recorded the highest number of days with measurable rain, seeing rain on 21 separate days. Both Santana and Pico do Areeiro stations also had the most "rainy" days, each with 15 days receiving at least 1.0 mm of precipitation. For more intense rainfall, the Chão do Areeiro and Pico do Areeiro stations reported nine "very rainy" days, where 10 mm or more of rain fell in a single day. The mix of above-average temperatures and varied rainfall makes October 2024 a noteworthy month in Madeira’s climate history, highlighting both extremes of the weather spectrum.
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