Madeira weather warnings: what yellow, orange and red mean
How IPMA’s weather warnings work in Madeira, what each colour means for your plans, and what closes when there is an orange or red warning.
IPMA, the Portuguese weather service, issues warnings for Madeira when the weather may be dangerous. When one is active, you will see it at the top of our weather page and on the homepage, translated into English.
The four areas
Madeira is split into four warning areas, because the weather is so different across the island:
- South coast: Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, Santa Cruz, Calheta and the rest of the south
- North coast: São Vicente, Porto Moniz, Santana, Porto da Cruz and Seixal
- Mountains: everything above roughly 700 metres, including Pico do Arieiro, Paul da Serra and most of the walking trails
- Porto Santo
A warning for the mountains does not mean the beach in Funchal is affected, and the other way round.
What the colours mean
- Yellow: the weather could be risky for some activities. Take care and keep an eye on updates.
- Orange: dangerous weather. Avoid exposed places and follow official advice.
- Red: exceptional and very dangerous weather. Stay indoors and follow Civil Protection instructions.
Green means no warning.
What the warnings are about
- Wind: strong gusts, often in the mountains. Also affects flights; see airport wind.
- Rain: heavy or persistent rain, with the risk of floods and rockfalls.
- Rough sea (agitação marítima): big waves, usually on the north coast and Porto Santo.
- Thunderstorms.
- Heat: a run of very hot days, often with the hot leste wind.
- Fog and, rarely, snow on the highest peaks.
What closes
- On orange or red warnings for wind or rain, the regional forest service usually closes the classified walking trails, and some mountain roads can close.
- On rough sea warnings, natural pools and some seafront promenades may close, and ferries to Porto Santo can be cancelled.
- In heat and high fire risk, forest areas and trails can close to prevent fires.
If your trail booking falls on a closure day, you can usually rebook or ask for a refund through SIMplifica. See trail fees and booking.
Good habits
- Check warnings the evening before a walk or boat trip.
- Look at the webcams before driving into the mountains.
- Never ignore a closed trail sign. Fines are high, and closures exist because of real danger: rockfalls, fallen trees and flooding.
Sources: IPMA, weather warnings for Madeira