Azores weather in December

December brings mild days and cooler nights at these stations. Average night lows sit close to 13 °C. Ponta Delgada's average high is nearly 8 °C below August's. It remains slightly warmer than January. I’d pack a warm layer for evenings.

The spread between the seven stations' average highs is just 1.1 °C. That gives little reason to choose an island for warmer afternoons alone. I’d give more weight to rainfall and the activities you want.

December is Ponta Delgada's wettest month, with almost six times July's rainfall. It also has the highest monthly total at Angra, Horta and Flores. Ponta Delgada averages 15 days with at least 1 mm of rain. That includes 4.5 days with 10 mm or more.

A rain day counts the daily rainfall total. It does not mean rain from morning to night. Keep the order of outdoor plans flexible. Rainfall also increases with altitude in the Azores. Check the local forecast before committing to a walk.

Santa Maria Airport has the lowest December rainfall among these seven stations. Santa Cruz da Graciosa comes next. Flores Airport has the highest total. Its December average is almost three times Santa Maria's.

These are records for individual stations. Their reference periods differ. They do not compare exactly the same years. The rainfall figures favour Santa Maria if rain is your main concern. I’d still keep a wet weather plan for any island.

You can bathe in thermal pools in December; I’d skip beach swimming. At Terra Nostra in Furnas, thermal water is 38 to 42 °C. Opening hours are 10:30 to 16:30. Last entry is 16:00. The park closes to day visitors on 25 December.

The bathing boat to Vila Franca Islet does not run in December. Its 2026 season ended on 11 October.

December works for short walks and whale watching with flexible dates. Start with the trail status page before choosing a walk. We refresh its regional alerts twice a day. Check the forecast too. Choose a route you can finish before dark.

Whale watching runs through winter from Ponta Delgada. Futurismo operates in every season. Unsafe weather cancels departures. I’d book early in the trip. That leaves time for another date.

Pack a waterproof jacket and walking shoes with good grip. Add a warm layer for evenings. Choose clothes you can layer while walking. I’d add spare socks and keep them dry in your bag.

Bring a swimsuit for the thermal pools. Use a dark one at Terra Nostra. The iron in the water can stain pale fabric. Rinse it before it dries. Keep a dry change of clothes for afterwards.