Weather Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada enjoys the mild conditions of a maritime sub-tropical climate all year round, and offers some very attractive weather whenever you choose to visit.
As part of the Azores Islands, Ponta Delgada is known for warm to hot summers followed by very mild winters. Rainfall is generally moderate, falling mostly in the autumn and winter. And weather conditions are similar to those of other eastern coastal resorts in the Azores including Caloura to the south and Relva which is slightly to the north.
As the islands are within the hurricane belt, the risk of being hit by one of these destructive storms is possible, with the greatest chance of a storm usually between August and November. However, even when such a storm does hit, the effect is usually short lived, and therefore should not spoil your entire stay.
Ponta Delgada is located on the south coast on the eastern side of Sao Miguel Island and is home to the Azores's government. And while many consider the islands to be very isolated, their location in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean means this Portuguese archipelago can provide an attractive place to stay for all types of visitor.
Ponta Delgada owes much of its mild climate to the Gulf Stream which brings to it a warmer and less varied climate than might be expected at this latitude. The region also benefits from the protection of the mountainous terrain of Sao Miguel, which is able to keep the majority of north-westerly winds away from the region. The vast majority of rainfall is forced to the north, west and central parts of the island. This makes Ponta Delgada warmer and drier than major towns on the island, and a much more popular place to base your stay.
Spring
Spring occurs between April and June in Ponta Delgada and is the time when temperatures start to creep back up towards the summer highs experienced in the region.
The season enjoys a dramatic drop in the level of rainfall across Ponta Delgada at this time of the year, especially when compared with the winter period. But it is still nowhere near as dry as the weather conditions in the peak summer months. And even then, some rain is expected.
Late spring is one of the nicest times to visit the area, especially for those that want to enjoy warm, dry days, without the heat of the summer sun. The temperature creeps up slowly and by the end of May it is possible to reach up to 19°C. But it will never be too hot.
The average high temperature in June is 21°C when the sun is expected to come out for around 9 hours per day. However night time temperatures remain cool and comfortable, with minimum temperatures averaging around 15°C throughout June in Ponta Delgada.
While sea temperatures do improve when compared with winter conditions, maximum temperatures of 20°C in June may just be sufficient to invite you in. Especially when the air temperature reaches its peak. However for many, the gusty wind and pleasant waves make windsurfing and surfing much more popular than swimming at this time of the year.
Summer
Summer in Ponta Delagada is usually from July to September and enjoys hot, but not quite baking temperatures. And, for many, it is the most pleasant season in which to visit the area.
Though temperatures have reached historical highs of 29°C in Ponta Delgada, average high temperature usually hover in the low to mid 20s, climbing up to 25°C in August. Night times are also at their highest in August. But the conditions are usually warm, rather than too hot. This means most nights enjoy average minimum temperatures never reaching more than 18°C ensuring very comfortable sleeping conditions for all.
The level of rainfall does increase throughout the summer, when compared with the beginning of the season. And while July and August are mostly dry, only receiving a few showers, September can see quite regular heavy thunderstorms increasing the level of precipitation significantly.
As you would expect, the summer is also the sunniest time of year, offering up to nine hours of sunshine every day. But with the risk of hurricanes increasing in August, the weather conditions, even in the peak summer months, can be somewhat changeable.
Autumn
The autumn weather in Ponta Delgada can be rainy but overall conditions throughout October and November are still very mild.
The average high temperature will drop from 21°C in October to 18°C in November. But the climate is still very inviting, even if it is not considered constant bikini weather.
The sea stays warm enough for swimming throughout the season, with an average temperature of 21°C throughout these months. But as the level of sunshine does decrease while predicted levels of rainfall rise, diving into the Atlantic might not be quite so attractive every day of your stay.
Hurricanes are also most likely throughout the Azores Islands in autumn, and therefore it is wise to keep a constant eye on the weather forecast when visiting the region. However, with up to 7 hours of daily sunshine in October and average daily temperatures of 17°C throughout the season, conditions are still very attractive.
Winter
December to March is incredibly mild for a so-called winter season. The lowest average high, found between January and March, is 16°C. And even in the coldest month of the year, in February, the coolest average low, is still a very welcoming 10°C.
These temperatures are perfectly acceptable for a walking, sailing or windsurfing holiday in the Azores. However, the sea does continue to get cooler throughout the season, ensuring those that are resistant to the cooler water will be the only ones having a long swim.
Sunshine hours will get down to around five hours per day on the shortest day in winter. However this is still much better than the level of sunshine back home. And the temperatures are decidedly more pleasant.
The average level of rainfall peaks in the month of January, but there are still many dry days to enjoy.
Winter in Ponta Delgada can be very changeable and often blustery. But as the start of winter sees the end of the hurricane season in the region, calculated averages ensure it is still a very popular place to visit.