Article Nº 2526 Climate and meteorology Vol. II · p. 828
Snow
Original title: Neve
Snow and hail in Madeira's mountains: locals call hail 'neve', while true snow, called 'folhelho', falls only above about 1200 m and melts quickly.
Madeirans give the name neve (snow) to the hail that falls in the mountains during winter, but snow in flakes also appears in the high region of the island, where it is known to the people as folhelho (popular name for snowflakes). Snow is never seen below 1200 or 1300 metres, whereas hail has come down as far as 600 metres and may even appear at lower altitudes, although this is not frequent.
In our climate snow does not last long and generally melts after a few hours. It is hail that forms the extensive white sheets that sometimes cover the mountains for many days. See Hail.