The meteorological conditions of the Madeira Archipelago are mostly determined by the subtropical anticyclone of the Azores, which is responsible for the predominancy of the North East trade winds in this region - NE (Hydrographical Institute, 1979).

These fresh and humid winds originate the characteristic "sea of clouds", which are fogs of orographic origin that form due to the rise of air masses loaded with moisture in the slopes facing North.

Due to its relief, the Madeira Island presents several microclimates. The central chain, with an East-West direction, allows for the southern slope to be protected from predominating northeastern winds, thus being more pleasant having more hours of sunlight, while the northern slope is rougher having less hours of sunlight and fustigated by the trade winds.

As for the temperature values, there are no significant thermal variations throughout the year, and the weather averages between 23º C and 16º C, being August the hottest month and February the coldest. However, there are more accentuated thermal variations at higher altitudes.

The average temperature of the sea is very pleasant during the year due to the influence to the hot Gulf current, and the temperatures are between 23º C in the summer and 17º C in the winter.