In its monthly analysis, the Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM) recorded that March was marked by above-average rainfall, a wind gusts reaching a maximum of 134 km/h in Chão do Areeiro, but which was also warmer than usual and recorded more hours of sunshine than in the same month of previous years.
The highest average temperature (17.7 °C) was recorded at the Funchal/Observatory station and the lowest average temperature occurred at the Pico do Areeiro station (3.5 °C), according to DREM based on data provided by the Delegation of the Portuguese Institute of Atmosphere and Sea (IPMA), in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
Compared to normal climatological conditions in March, five of the six weather stations recorded positive anomalies in the average air temperature. The only exception was the Chão do Areeiro station, with a negative deviation of 1.1 °C. The largest positive deviation was observed at the Funchal/Observatory station, with +1.1 °C compared to the respective climatological normal.
With regard to the absolute maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in March, the extremes were recorded on the 30th, at the stations of Lugar de Baixo (26.8 °C) and Pico do Areeiro (-2.0 °C).
Heavy rain in Chão do Areeiro
Regarding precipitation, the highest value of total precipitation was recorded on the 19th of March at the Chão do Areeiro weather station (623.4 mm), while the highest daily value of all stations was observed (167.2 mm).
On the contrary, the lowest monthly value was recorded in Selvagem Grande (12.0 mm).
Weather data confirms that the amount of rainfall throughout March was well above average. Compared to the climatological normal of that month (period 1961-1990), all stations recorded higher rainfall values, with the Chão do Areeiro station standing out with a positive anomaly of 319.4 mm.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
