Azores weather: mild, changeable and wet in winter
The Azores have a mild Atlantic climate. On the São Miguel coast the mean daily high stays between 17.4 °C and 26.0 °C through the year, and the mean low between 12.1 °C and 19.9 °C. Rain falls in every month, and the weather can change within the hour. A sunny view at the coast says nothing about a crater lake higher up.
The figures below are for Ponta Delgada on São Miguel, at 35 m above sea level, for the average of the years 1991 to 2020. Other islands and higher ground differ. For plans built around whales or hikes, read the best time to visit the Azores.
Azores weather by month
Ponta Delgada, averages for 1991 to 2020. High and low are mean daily temperatures.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17.5 | 12.7 | 102.1 |
| February | 17.4 | 12.1 | 87.2 |
| March | 17.9 | 12.6 | 97.1 |
| April | 18.8 | 13.3 | 79.6 |
| May | 20.2 | 14.6 | 61.0 |
| June | 22.4 | 16.8 | 44.4 |
| July | 24.7 | 18.9 | 26.0 |
| August | 26.0 | 19.9 | 45.8 |
| September | 25.0 | 19.1 | 78.2 |
| October | 22.6 | 17.1 | 118.0 |
| November | 19.9 | 14.9 | 95.3 |
| December | 18.3 | 13.4 | 152.8 |
July is the driest and August the warmest month, and December is the wettest. The table is an average, not a forecast.
Our pick: Sete Cidades day for a clear forecast
The lake views depend on cloud, so this is the day to book when the forecast looks clear.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Azores tours for any weather
Boat trips, island tours and indoor options, with live prices and availability.
Sea temperature
A rough guide, not a measurement of today.
| Month | Sea °C | Month | Sea °C |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.1 | July | 20.4 |
| February | 15.5 | August | 21.9 |
| March | 15.4 | September | 21.7 |
| April | 15.8 | October | 20.3 |
| May | 16.7 | November | 18.5 |
| June | 18.3 | December | 17.0 |
These sea values are a rough guide. The sea is warmest from August to September and coldest around March. Expect it to feel cool for swimming outside summer.
What to pack
For changeable days.
All year
A rain jacket, a warm layer and shoes with grip. A swimsuit is useful for thermal pools, see Furnas.
Winter and spring
The wettest months are October to March. Pack a second pair of shoes and plan indoor or thermal pool time. Hikes need a dry day, see Azores hiking.
Summer
June to September are drier and warmer. Sun cream and a hat help on a boat. Cloud can still sit on crater lakes, so ride out a grey morning.
Mountain
Pico summit is cooler than the coastal values, and weather can change the climb. The coastal table says little about 2,350 m.
Reading the table
What the numbers do and do not say.
The high is the mean of the daily maximum and the low the mean of the daily minimum, so single days run warmer and colder. The rain column is the monthly total. December is wetter than November in this series, and October is wetter than both September and November. The values describe one coastal station, not an island average. Use them to compare months, not to promise a dry day. If you rent a car for a drive to the lakes, leave time to wait out a cloudy spell, see car hire in the Azores.
Plan the rest of your trip
Use the weather to choose.
Azores weather: frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in the Azores?
Mild and changeable. Mean daily highs on the São Miguel coast run from 17.4 °C to 26.0 °C, and rain falls in every month.
Which month is the driest?
July, with an average of 26.0 mm in Ponta Delgada. June and August are also drier than the rest of the year.
Which month is the wettest?
December, with an average of 152.8 mm. October has 118.0 mm and is wetter than November, which has 95.3 mm.
Is the sea warm enough to swim?
The sea is roughly 20.3 °C to 21.9 °C from July to October. Many people find that cool, so thermal pools and natural pools are common choices.
Is the weather the same on every island?
No. The table is for Ponta Delgada. Other islands and higher ground differ, and Santa Maria feels warmer and drier in general.