The Azores are best known for their name. Due to their geographical location, the nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic determine the weather in Europe. The famous Azores high brings good cheer to Central Europe. Weather In the Azores themselves, however, the weather is anything but stable and very changeable. Sometimes violent thunderstorms with gale-force winds develop.
The best time to visit is, of course, summer. It's never unbearably hot (25°C). The season in the Azores is from June to October. July and September are the peak travel season. Rainfall is also low then. Even in winter, it never gets really cold, although the fog can sometimes be a bit annoying.
The Azores have their own unique climate: rain, fog, wind, and sunshine can all occur in one day, even in summer, because the air masses that warm and rise near the equator sink again at the latitude of the Azores. The climate is therefore relatively humid and balanced year-round. Rain and sunshine frequently alternate.
While thick clouds hang in the sky in the morning, the sun may be shining again in the afternoon. So, there's no such thing as perpetual sunshine. The same applies to perpetually blue skies. Anyone who experiences 14 days of beautiful weather without a single drop of rain in the Azores has, in a way, hit the jackpot. The climate in this humid, subtropical maritime region often puts a damper on the sun's plans. While it's wet on one side of the island, just a few kilometers away, bright blue skies can turn a vacation day into an unforgettable experience.
Extreme temperatures, however, are nonexistent. The warm Gulf Stream ensures pleasant temperatures. Especially in summer, the core of the Azores high pressure system lies over the archipelago. Cumulus clouds quickly form, which easily cling to the mountains.
The weather is less stable in the off-season. In the winter months, temperatures are well above freezing, but it tends to be humid and uncomfortable. It's especially important to choose your location carefully, as some places can experience dense, humid fog for extended periods.
Sometimes, hurricane-force winds blow across the islands. The Azores high pressure system is pushed south by the equally notorious Icelandic low pressure system. Heavy rainfall can result. In such gale-force winds, the rain sometimes falls horizontally. Severe storms can therefore cause severe flooding. Time and again, people lose their lives in such storms. Especially in the winter months, one should also beware of the strong surf during storms. Several people lose their lives each year. Those who rely on ferry connections are at a disadvantage.
In winter, the islands are deserted. Everyone hides in their houses. But it's not wet and stormy every day. There are also beautiful days with blue skies and lots of sunshine.
Climate table:
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | Mai | June | July | Aug | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Ten. | |
| min. temp. | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 14 |
| max. temp. | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 20 |
Water temperatures:
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | Mai | June | July | Aug | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Ten. |
| 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 19 |
Hours of sunshine per day:
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | Mai | June | July | Aug | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Ten. |
| 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Rainy days in the month:
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | Mai | June | July | Aug | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Ten. |
| 7 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
It's getting cold in the Azores
It is never cold in the Azores. Average daily temperatures range between 16 and 25°C. However, humidity in the Azores is very high year-round, hovering around 80 percent. This can make summer temperatures feel oppressive. Rainfall decreases from west to east. Most precipitation falls on Flores with approximately 1.450 mm. The least precipitation falls on Sao Miguel with approximately 950 mm. Despite the mild climate, the sky is often overcast.
The safest time to visit the islands is during the summer months. That's when the sun shines the most. Nature lovers are also well-advised to visit in spring. But there's actually something blooming year-round. Those with circulatory problems are better off traveling in April/May or September/October.
The water temperature depends on the Gulf Stream and fluctuates between approximately 15°C in winter and 22°C in August. Swimming is possible until the end of October, when it gradually cools down. Whale watching is possible from June to September.
The annual calendar:
The first quarter is generally uninviting. A harsh wind blows and thick fog drifts by. Humidity is high. Starting in March, the weather becomes more pleasant. Work in the fields begins, and you meet more people on the streets every day.
Even in the second quarter, the weather is still not as consistent. So, you'll need to pack your suitcase with all sorts of clothes and always bring several layers. The winds are easing a bit, and even out at sea, daily boating is back on the agenda. Flowers are starting to bloom everywhere. The hiking trails are still a bit slippery at times. Starting in June, it starts to warm up. Now the vacation season really starts to get going.
The third quarter sees by far the largest number of people on the islands. The days are long. September: The summer heat is over, making it the ideal month for those seeking peace and quiet and long hikes. However, the high humidity can make it sticky during the day. Starting in September, it becomes more pleasant again.
October also remains pleasant. However, the evenings become somewhat cooler. Anyone staying in the Azores during the last quarter will need to fire up the stove again. In November, the unpleasant winter begins again. Rain, storms, and thunderstorms increase.
The Azores High:
The Azores High, along with the Icelandic Low, has long been firmly established in the vocabulary of Central Europeans, as both determine the weather in Europe. The Azores High ensures persistently stable and pleasant weather in Central Europe. It is caused by warm, dry air from the tropics. It rises at the equator and flows northward. This is known as the anti-trade wind. As it cools, it sinks again near the Azores and returns to the surface as the trade wind. The high pressure area created by this air circulation was named after the archipelago for lack of geographical alternatives. It has no direct influence on the islands themselves.
