Weather Guide - Late December to Early January

Period: 22 December 2026 to 5 January 2027 Location: Funchal, Madeira

At a Glance

	December	January
Average high	20C	20C
Average low	13C	12C
Rainfall	108 mm over ~13 days	112 mm over ~8 days
Sunshine	~5 hours/day	~4 hours/day
Daylight	~10 hours	~10 hours
Sea temperature	19C	18C
UV index	3 (Moderate)	3 (Moderate)
Humidity	~77%	~77%

What to Expect

Madeira’s winter climate is mild and subtropical, far warmer than the UK over Christmas. Daytime temperatures in Funchal typically sit around 15-20C, dropping to 12-13C at night. It rarely feels truly cold at sea level, though higher ground (mountains, levada walks above 800 m) will be noticeably cooler.

December is the wettest month on the island, but rainfall tends to come in short, sharp showers rather than all-day drizzle. In December 2024, Funchal had only 5 days with more than 2 hours of daytime rain. Between the showers, expect bright spells and pleasant sunshine.

The north side of the island is typically wetter and cloudier than the south coast (where Funchal sits). If Funchal is overcast, it’s often worth driving to the south-west coast or up above the clouds for sunshine.

Sea and Swimming

The sea temperature drops to 18-19C over this period, which is too cold for most people to swim comfortably. However:

• Natural volcanic pools (e.g. Porto Moniz, Doca do Cavacas) are popular year-round
• Some hotels and lidos have heated pools
• Hardy swimmers do still take a dip, particularly around Christmas and New Year

Hiking and Levadas

Winter is a good time for hiking in Madeira. The trails are quieter than summer, the levadas are flowing well, and the temperatures are comfortable for walking. Key considerations:

• Layering is essential. Coastal walks may be warm (15-18C) while mountain trails can be significantly colder and windier
• A waterproof jacket is a must. Showers can arrive quickly, especially at altitude
• Paths may be slippery after rain; good grip walking shoes or boots are important
• Higher routes (Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo) may have low cloud, mist, or even frost. Check conditions before setting out
• Shorter daylight hours mean earlier starts are advisable for longer walks (sunset is around 6pm)

What to Pack

• Layers: t-shirts, light jumpers/fleeces, a warm mid-layer
• A good waterproof/windproof jacket
• Comfortable walking shoes with grip (waterproof preferred)
• Sunglasses and sun cream (UV can still be moderate on clear days)
• A light scarf or buff for windy spots
• An umbrella for town
• Smart-casual clothes for Christmas/New Year dinners out

Compared to the Isle of Man

For context, while Funchal sits at 15-20C over Christmas, the Isle of Man will typically be 4-8C with significantly more wind and rain. Even on Madeira’s wettest day, it will feel considerably milder and more pleasant than a typical IoM winter day.

New Year’s Eve

Funchal’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks display goes ahead in almost all weather conditions. In December 2025, Madeira rang in 2026 under an orange weather warning with heavy rainfall, but the fireworks still went ahead. Wrap up warm and waterproof if it’s a wet night.

Sources: climate-data.org, weather2travel.com, weather-atlas.com, TUI, Thomas Cook, hikingmadeira.com Researched: 3 March 2026