Mount Pico sunrise forecast
Seven mornings ahead: will the summit sit above a sea of clouds, inside it, or under a clear sky?
The summit is high enough to stand above the cloud that sits on the islands most mornings, and the walk up is done in the dark so that the light arrives at the top. The famous sea of clouds is not a given. It needs a temperature inversion, which usually forms after a calm night: cool air settles over the coast and traps the cloud below the peaks while the summit stays in clear air.
Best morning this week
Friday, October 2
Sunrise 07:45 · 12° feels like 11° · Gusts 30 km/h
The four verdicts
- Sea of cloudsSummit clear, low cloud over the coast: the classic view
- ClearClear at every level: a fine sunrise, but no cloud sea
- MixedPatchy cloud at both levels: a gamble
- In cloudCloud or rain at the summit: little or no view
The next seven mornings
Saturday, September 26Today
In cloud- Sunrise
- 07:40
- At the summit
- 11°feels like 9°
- Gusts
- 50 km/h
Rain likely at the summit (67%).
The coast at the same hour: 17°
Sunday, September 27
Mixed- Sunrise
- 07:41
- At the summit
- 11°feels like 10°
- Gusts
- 14 km/h
Cloud coming and going: summit 60%, coast 3%; high cloud (100%) may dull the colours.
The coast at the same hour: 17°
Monday, September 28
In cloud- Sunrise
- 07:42
- At the summit
- 15°feels like 14°
- Gusts
- 66 km/h
Rain likely at the summit (97%).
The coast at the same hour: 22°
Tuesday, September 29
Mixed- Sunrise
- 07:43
- At the summit
- 11°feels like 7°
- Gusts
- 67 km/h
Cloud coming and going: summit 39%, coast 24%.
The coast at the same hour: 17°
Wednesday, September 30
Mixed- Sunrise
- 07:43
- At the summit
- 9°feels like 8°
- Gusts
- 20 km/h
Cloud coming and going: summit 54%, coast 16%.
The coast at the same hour: 15°
Thursday, October 1
Clear- Sunrise
- 07:44
- At the summit
- 10°feels like 9°
- Gusts
- 13 km/h
Little cloud at the summit (12%) or on the coast (9%).
The coast at the same hour: 16°
Friday, October 2
Sea of clouds- Sunrise
- 07:45
- At the summit
- 12°feels like 11°
- Gusts
- 30 km/h
Low cloud over the coast (54%), summit almost clear (43%); high cloud (82%) may dull the colours.
The coast at the same hour: 18°
Before you go
- It is 10 to 15 degrees colder than at sea level, and the wind adds to it. Bring a proper jacket, a hat and something warm to sit on.
- The summit car park fills up before sunrise on clear mornings. Arrive early or expect to park along the road below and walk up.
- The climb up Mount Pico is registered at the Casa da Montanha before you set off, and the weather turns faster up there than on the coast.
- Check for closures before you plan the walk: the path shuts after storms and in high winds. Trail closures
- For the rest of the island, see the weather page. Azores weather