Today's weather for Praia de Rocha, Portugal8th Nov 2009 16:30

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Weather Overview for Praia de Rocha

Praia de Rocha receives a Mediterranean climate very similar to its surrounding resorts. The Algarve in the far south of Portugal is home to many popular resorts, loved by tourists seeking the area’s long hot summers or mild winters. Sitting towards the west end of Portugal’s southern coast, weather conditions in Praia de Rocha are almost identical to those in Lagos and Ferragudo, though its summers are slightly warmer than Praia da Luz which is further west, and slightly cooler than Quarteira and Faro to the east.

Summer, from June till September, is gorgeously hot. The average high temperature sits in the mid 20s in June and September, rising to a peak of 28°C in July and August. The beach is sheltered by the cliffs from the northerly wind and with the sun shining for around twelve hours per day in peak months you can sizzle endlessly on the hot sand. You may find yourself wishing for a little cooling breeze but a dip into balmy sea will have to suffice. The wind bypasses the beach but creates great sailing, windsurfing and kite surfing conditions out to sea. Humidity is quite low helping to keep the heat more bearable. Night times cool off pleasantly at the beginning and end of the season, but can stay in the 20s in the peak months. Luckily, it usually gets down to around 18°C in July and August. Rainfall is minimal; the area is sometimes in drought for summer.

Autumn, in October and November, is still very warm and many might find it preferable to the peak season. The average high temperature drops to 22°C in October and only drops below 20°C towards the end of November. However, rainfall increases. It doesn’t rain very often but rain falls in heavy storms which get heavier as the season progresses. Nights do get a lot cooler, requiring a light sweater, as does the sea which averages at 17°C in October.

Winter, from December till February, is very mild as is characteristic of the area. The average high is 16°C for the whole season. The average low of 10°C drops to 9°C in January. Rainfall gets lighter but more frequent in December and January before starting to decrease in general. The sun in the rainy months still comes out for around five hours per day, and seven hours per day in drier February. The sea is too cold for swimming but persistent water sport enthusiasts may want to don their wetsuits and take advantage of the easterly levante wind that blows in this season.

Spring, from March till May, is warm and sunny. Rain still falls quite often but not enough to worry about. The average high increases to 18°C in March, 19°C in April and 21°C in May, though night times still cool off considerably and the sea is not really warm enough for swimming.

Praia de Rocha benefits from its southerly position, and proximity to the Mediterranean on the North Atlantic coast. Heat is guaranteed but tempered by ocean currents. The hilly region to the north keeps the whole of the Algarve protected from the cooler weather received by the north of Portugal.

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