Last updated: January 18, 2025
Portalegre, Portugal, exhibits a distinct Csa Koppen-Geiger climate classification, characterized by hot-summer Mediterranean conditions. The region experiences a wide temperature range, with minimum values plunging to -4°C (26°F) in January and soaring to a scorching 45°C (113°F) in August. The average temperature throughout the year balances around 17°C (62°F), contributing to the region's unique agricultural and ecological dynamics. This climate profile not only defines local weather patterns but also shapes the lifestyle of its residents and the landscape of this picturesque locale.
Portalegre, Portugal, showcases distinct seasonal temperature patterns that illustrate the region's transition from winter to summer. In the winter months, January and February experience the lowest temperatures, with January dipping to a minimum of -4°C (26°F), while average conditions hover around 8°C (48°F). As spring unfolds in March and April, temperatures gradually rise, reaching averages of 12°C (55°F) and 15°C (58°F), respectively. The warmth continues to build into late spring and summer, with May marking a significant increase as average temperatures hit 19°C (66°F), followed by hot conditions in June, July, and August, where maximum temperatures can soar to 45°C (113°F). The transition back to cooler temperatures occurs in September and October, where the thermometer begins to settle as averages drop to 23°C (73°F) and 18°C (65°F). The arrival of late autumn and winter in November and December brings cooler evenings, yet even then, December's maximum can reach 20°C (69°F), demonstrating Portalegre's characteristic warmth during the winter months compared to many other regions.
Castelo de Vide and Marvao experience similar temperature ranges throughout the year, with minimums reaching as low as -3°C (28°F) in January and maximums soaring to 43°C (109°F) in August. For detailed monthly temperatures in Castelo de Vide, visit monthly temperatures in Castelo de Vide, and for Marvao, check monthly temperatures in Marvao.
Precipitation in Portalegre, Portugal, demonstrates notable seasonal variation, peaking during the late autumn and winter months. January and February receive 36 mm (1.4 in) and 51 mm (2.0 in) of rain, respectively, while March marks a significant increase, with 88 mm (3.5 in) falling over 8 days. April continues this trend, producing 84 mm (3.3 in) of precipitation across 12 days, suggesting a wetter spring. May sees a reduction to 38 mm (1.5 in) over 5 days, indicating the gradual shift towards warmer and drier conditions typical of the approaching summer.
As summer arrives, rainfall dramatically decreases, with June, July, and August receiving only 14 mm (0.6 in), 4 mm (0.2 in), and 6 mm (0.2 in), respectively, and July barely seeing any precipitation at all. The onset of autumn in September brings a slight uptick with 30 mm (1.2 in) over 3 days, while October contributes 52 mm (2.0 in) on 5 days. The autumn continues to show significant rainfall, particularly in November with 77 mm (3.0 in) and 10 days of rain, and December follows closely with 69 mm (2.7 in) across 8 days. This pattern underscores Portalegre's distinct wet and dry seasons, shaping the region's agricultural landscape and ecosystem.
Portalegre, Portugal, experiences a remarkable seasonal shift in sunshine duration, commencing with modest hours in winter and culminating in a sun-drenched summer. January sees the least sunshine at 175 hours, gradually increasing as the region transitions into spring. By February, sunshine hours rise to 220, and this upward trend accelerates further in March with 291 hours. April brings a significant boost, reaching 340 hours, while May ushers in an impressive 402 hours, highlighting the arrival of longer, sunnier days that herald the approach of summer.
As summer sets in, Portalegre basks in its peak sunshine with July recording 430 hours, the highest in the year, closely followed by August at 401 hours. However, as the days begin to shorten in September, sunshine hours dip to 348 hours, sustaining a robust yet decreasing pattern into the fall. October still enjoys 313 hours of sunshine, but the annual total starts to decline significantly, with November and December falling to 220 and 207 hours, respectively. This seasonal cycle underscores the region's vibrant climate, fostering a productive agricultural environment while offering residents and visitors ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors during the sunniest months.
The UV Index in Portalegre, Portugal, showcases significant seasonal variability, reflecting the changing intensity of sun exposure throughout the year. Beginning in January, the UV Index is relatively low at 3, classified as moderate, allowing for about 30 minutes of safe sun exposure. As winter transitions to spring, February sees a slight increase to 5, maintaining a moderate level of exposure. However, a marked increase occurs in March, where the UV Index rises to 6, entering the high exposure category. April and May witness dramatic spikes, with values reaching 9 and 10, respectively, indicating very high levels of UV radiation and shortening burn times to 15 minutes.
The height of summer in June brings the UV Index to an extreme level of 11, demanding careful sun protection as burn time decreases to just 10 minutes. Both July and August maintain a UV Index of 10, highlighting the persistent risk of overexposure during these peak sunlight months, while September sees a slight decline to 8 but remains in the very high category. As autumn approaches, October's UV Index drops to 6, again reflecting a high exposure risk. Finally, November and December return to moderate levels with indices of 4 and 3, respectively, allowing for safer sun exposure durations of 30 minutes. This seasonal pattern underscores the importance of sun safety measures, particularly during the late spring through summer months.
UV Risk Categories
Daylight duration in Portalegre, Portugal, reflects a clear seasonal pattern, transitioning from shorter days in winter to longer days during the summer months. January begins the year with just 9 hours of daylight, gradually increasing to 10 hours in February. As spring arrives, March sees daylight stretch to 11 hours, and by April, this further extends to 13 hours, signifying the longer, sunnier days typical of the season. May continues this trend, reaching 14 hours of daylight, a duration that persists through June and July, highlighting the peak of summer.
As summer begins to wane, daylight duration remains high but begins to taper off, with August still enjoying 13 hours of light. The decrease continues into September, where daylight drops to 12 hours, followed by a return to 11 hours in October. The transition back to shorter days is evident in November and December, where daylight diminishes to 10 hours and returns to 9 hours, respectively. This cyclical pattern of daylight duration not only enhances the natural beauty of Portalegre but also influences the region's activities, agriculture, and overall lifestyle throughout the year.
The climate in Castelo de Vide, Portugal, features a wide temperature range, with winter lows dropping to -3°C (28°F) in January and summer highs reaching up to 43°C (109°F) in August. Precipitation varies throughout the year, peaking at 90 mm (3.5 in) in both March and April, while the summer months see significantly less rain, particularly in July and August. Notably, sunlight is abundant, especially from May to July, with June boasting approximately 405 hours of sunshine. For more detailed information, visit Castelo de Vide climate.
Marvão, Portugal experiences a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot summers and mild winters. January sees temperatures ranging from -3°C to 19°C, while July often reaches highs of 41°C. Precipitation varies throughout the year, peaking in March and April with around 89 mm and 90 mm respectively. The region enjoys abundant sunshine, especially in the summer months, with July averaging 430 hours of sunshine. For more detailed information, visit Marvao climate.
In conclusion, Portalegre, Portugal, exhibits a striking interplay of climate, precipitation, sunshine duration, UV Index, and daylight patterns throughout the year. The region's Csa climate classification showcases hot summers and mild winters, while the seasonal variations in precipitation demonstrate the significance of the wetter months from autumn to early spring. With increasingly sunny days and elevated UV Index levels during the summer, residents and visitors must prioritize sun safety during these peak exposure periods. The rhythmic cycle of daylight duration further enhances the enchanting seasonal landscape, fostering a vibrant environment that nourishes local culture and agricultural practices. Overall, understanding these climate dynamics allows for better planning of outdoor activities and highlights the unique characteristics that define Portalegre’s natural beauty.