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Weather & Climate in Velas, Portugal
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Velas enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 248 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 48.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 115 feet.
Temperature
57°F Jan (14°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 62.7°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 248 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 115 ft (35 m) |
| Area | 9.4 sq mi (24.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 210/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.6818°N, 28.2091°W |
| Timezone | Atlantic/Azores |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
73 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.2.
| Jul 9, 1998 | 12 km N of Horta, Portugal | M6.2 | 36 km | 10 km |
| Jun 27, 1997 | 50 km SE of Porto Martins, Portugal | M5.9 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Jan 11, 2021 | 69 km NW of Castelo Branco, Portugal | M5.4 | 103 km | 10 km |
| Jan 20, 1993 | 49 km W of Castelo Branco, Portugal | M5.4 | 94 km | 10 km |
| Jun 27, 1997 | 51 km SE of Porto Judeu, Portugal | M5.2 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Jun 28, 1997 | 45 km SE of Porto Judeu, Portugal | M5.1 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Aug 1, 2000 | 39 km NW of Castelo Branco, Portugal | M5.1 | 71 km | 10 km |
| Jan 12, 1993 | 45 km WSW of Castelo Branco, Portugal | M5.0 | 92 km | 10 km |
| Jan 14, 2024 | 4 km W of Fonte Bastardo, Portugal | M4.9 | 93 km | 10 km |
| Mar 24, 1996 | 53 km SE of Porto Martins, Portugal | M4.9 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Jan 28, 1993 | 46 km W of Castelo Branco, Portugal | M4.9 | 91 km | 10 km |
| Feb 23, 1998 | 80 km NW of Castelo Branco, Portugal | M4.8 | 108 km | 10 km |
| Jul 1, 2013 | Azores Islands, Portugal | M4.8 | 150 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 1997 | 49 km SSE of Porto Judeu, Portugal | M4.8 | 130 km | 10 km |
| Jun 14, 2015 | 37 km WNW of Castelo Branco, Portugal | M4.8 | 79 km | 10 km |
| Feb 16, 1993 | 73 km NW of Castelo Branco, Portugal | M4.7 | 100 km | 10 km |
| Apr 30, 2015 | 49 km WNW of Castelo Branco, Portugal | M4.7 | 90 km | 10 km |
| Aug 27, 2013 | 133 km WNW of Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Portugal | M4.7 | 146 km | 16 km |
| Feb 15, 1993 | 42 km W of Castelo Branco, Portugal | M4.7 | 89 km | 13 km |
| Jul 11, 1998 | 9 km WSW of Castelo Branco, Portugal | M4.7 | 56 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2012 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 291 km |
| 2006 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 122 km |
| 1998 | Ivan | Category 1 | 86 mph | 229 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 9.0 m (30 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1641 | AZORES | Unknown | 9.0 m | — | 33 km |
| 1980 | AZORES | Earthquake | 0.4 m | 69 | 40 km |
| 1757 | AZORES | Earthquake | — | 1,053 | 12 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Pico (29 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Pico | Stratovolcano | 2,351 m (7,713 ft) | 1720 | 29 km |
| Graciosa | Stratovolcano | 402 m (1,319 ft) | -1950 | 43 km |
| Fayal | Stratovolcano | 1,043 m (3,422 ft) | 1958 | 46 km |
| Terceira | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,023 m (3,356 ft) | 2000 | 77 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 57°F (14°C) | 6.4 in | Wettest |
| February | 57°F (14°C) | 4.8 in | Coldest |
| March | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 in | |
| April | 58°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 2.1 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 1.7 in | Driest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 5.2 in | |
| November | 62°F (17°C) | 5.5 in | |
| December | 59°F (15°C) | 6.0 in |
Velas has a seasonal temperature swing of 15°F / from 57°F in February to 72°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 48.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.4") and July the driest (1.7").