The historic town of Sagres, situated in the southwestern tip of Portuguese coast, is blessed with a dry-summer subtropical weather similar to those of the coastal cities on the Mediterranean coast. This fine weather is due to the mild temperature of the Atlantic Ocean. People holidaying in the surrounding region of Algarve (where the town of Sagres is located) have come to appreciate the natural beauty and the typically tranquil atmosphere of this little town.
The old town of Sagres
was once thought to be the most westerly tip of land during the Roman era. The
small seaport town became well-known during the 15th century thanks to Henry
the Navigatorâs school of maritime navigation established there. People came to
Sagres to study and learn navigation; the most important trade of that era.
As
the years passed, knowledge and technology advanced, and Sagresâ prominence
slid to oblivion. At present, there is a renewed campaign to bring the old town
to its former importance. The historical significance of the place, coupled
with a remarkably mild temperature and the natural beauty of the town, has
become the focal point of boosting Sagres repuation as a great holiday hotspot.
Climate
Sagresâ climate is classified as subtropical Mediterranean with moderate temperature. The local inhabitants of Sagres enjoy a temperately warm summer climate and a generally mild winter each year. The typically pleasant temperature helps to moderate the effects of high humidity lowering the so-called heat and humidity discomfort level all year-round.
Summer
Summer in Sagres is a lively time for outdoor activities as the town
enjoys long periods of clear skies during the summer months. Summer usually
starts in the month of June with an average of 10 hours of unobstructed
sunshine daily, which increases to about 11 hours daily during the mid-summer.
These long spell of clear skies are due to the zero precipitation level of the
area.
Sagres enjoys a long period of sunny weather with a very minimal
probability of rain. The long period of sunlight, coupled with the long daytime
period of about 14-15 hours, may bring some discomfort to people who are
sensitive to ultra-violet or UV rays. The maximum UV index at Sagres is pegged
at the very high level of 9 throughout the season.
Despite the long sunshine and daytime periods, temperature around
Sagres remains moderate during summer at a mean daily average of about 20°C
(68°F) with high temperatures never exceeding 30°C or 86°F. This cool weather
brings about a very minimal heat and humidity discomfort level to those who are
the visiting the place during summer. However, the inhabitants of Sagres are
not strangers to the high level of humidity in and around the town.
Sagres boasts some fine beaches and rocky outcrops surrounding the town. Likewise, the surrounding waters of Sagres have an average of 20°C (68°F) throughout the season. High surfs usually occur during the summer months. This is due to the Force 4 (Beaufort scale) winds with a seasonal average speed of around 20 km/h (12.4mph) moving from north to south throughout the season.
Autumn
Autumn is marked by diminishing temperatures, daytime and sunshine periods, and discomforts brought about by high ultra-violet (UV) radiation. During the month of September, the length of daytime period decreases so dramatically that by the September 21st (autumnal equinox), the daytime period is equal in length to the night time period. This decrease in daytime hours will continue up until the winter solstice. As autumn sets in, Sagres experiences reduced sunshine hours due to increasing cloudiness and rain activity. Moreover, the sunâs UV radiation gradually drops to more moderate levels.
The frequency of cloudy skies on the average increases as autumn progresses and brings about an increase in humidity and rain. However, Sagres is significantly dry despite the cloudiness, with occasional autumnal rains totalling only around 170mm (6.7in) spread throughout the different months of season. Furthermore, because of the generally mild temperature throughout the area, the heat and humidity discomfort level falls to zero. Wind speed falls to around 16kmph (10mph) with varying wind direction throughout the season. The average mean temperature daily continues to drop during autumn from the monthly average of 22°C (71°F) in September to 19°C (66°F) monthly average in October until 16°C (60°F) in November.
Winter
During the winter season, Sagres enjoys a very mild climate with an average temperature of around 13°C (55°F), and the minimum temperature averaging at 10°C (50°F). Winter is the cloudiest time of the year with only 5 hours of daily sunshine on the average. The increased humidity and precipitation in the atmosphere brings about an average total of 200mm (8in) of rainfall spread throughout the season with rain probability at about 31 days throughout the winter.
Despite the increase in rain, Sagres is still fairly dry during the winter months. After the winter solstice, daytime gradually increases as the earth slowly tilts its northern hemisphere towards the sun. UV level during this season is very low. Likewise, the heat and humidity discomfort level is at its minimum. For this reason, winter in Sagres is not limited to indoor activities. With a cool winter breeze blowing at around 18 km/h (11mph), the outdoors activities become more exciting.
Spring
This season brings about a gradual increase in temperature. Likewise, wind speeds, daytime length, sunshine, UV and humidity discomfort levels rise up. During this season, the average temperature gradually starts to climb. Daytime periods steadily increases daily, and by the 21st of March (spring equinox), daytime will be equal in length to that of night time, and will be longer onwards.
Reduced precipitation leads to the average total of 110mm (4.9in) of rainfall, which is spread throughout the season, with a probability of rain for 23 days. This lesser amount of rainfall further leads to clearer skies and progression in sunshine hours. The steady increase in both daytime and sunshine hours slowly increases the UV index level. The mean average temperature gradually increases from 14°C (57°F) in March to 15°C (59°F) in April; then it jumps to 18°C (64°F) by May. However, heat and humidity discomfort level is at its minimum during the springtime.