#1Hot
Dubai
- Day
- 36.4°C
- Sea
- 31.0°C
- Sun
- 10.5h
- Rain days
- 0
Your October weather guide
Weather in United Arab Emirates in October
October is a good month for a United Arab Emirates holiday if you want hot, dry weather and warm-water swimming, but it is not a mild autumn break. Average daytime temperatures reach 36°C, nights stay around 24°C and the sea averages 31°C. The main catch is midday heat: plan outdoor time around the cooler ends of the day. Dubai and Abu Dhabi both suit travellers who are comfortable with sustained warmth.
Long-term climate averages, not a forecast · 1991-2020
- Average daytime high
- 35.5°Cacross 2 destinations
- Average night-time low
- 23.9°Cafter dark
- Sea temperature
- 30.9°Cwarm enough to swim
- Rainy days
- 0days1 mm or more
United Arab Emirates, month by month
Turn up the warmth
Warmest places in United Arab Emirates in October
Ranked by average daytime high. The full comparison is in the table below.
#2Hot
Abu Dhabi
- Day
- 34.7°C
- Sea
- 30.9°C
- Sun
- 10.4h
- Rain days
- 0
United Arab Emirates destinations ranked for October
All 2 places we track in United Arab Emirates, ordered by daytime high.
October climate overview
Daytime highs across United Arab Emirates in October run from 34.7°C (Abu Dhabi) to 36.4°C (Dubai). In Dubai about 100% of October days reach 25°C. Nights average 23.9°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Abu Dhabi fall to 22°C or below.
Rainfall in October
Expect around 0 rainy days (1 mm or more) in October, with Abu Dhabi the driest (0 days) and Dubai the wettest (0 days). The wettest October at Dubai between 1991 and 2020 was 1997 with 15 mm; the driest was 1991 with 0 mm.
Sea temperature
The sea averages 30.9°C around United Arab Emirates in October - warmest at Dubai (31.0°C). That is comfortable for swimming.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 10.4 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 11.4 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).
October against the rest of the year in United Arab Emirates
October is the 6th warmest month of the twelve in United Arab Emirates. It is 3.8°C cooler than September and 5.3°C cooler in November. The hottest month here is August (41°C) and the coolest January (24°C).
Which part of United Arab Emirates in October?
- Most sunshine: Dubai, 10.5 h a day.
- Driest: Abu Dhabi, about 0 rainy days.
- Warmest sea: Dubai, 31°C.
- Hottest: Dubai, 36°C by day - intense for sightseeing.
- Coolest (better for walking and cities): Abu Dhabi, 35°C.
What to pack for United Arab Emirates in October
Based on the averages: light, loose clothing and serious sun protection - midday highs sit around 36°C; swimwear - the sea is 31°C.
Dubai or Abu Dhabi: which suits you?
There is little weather advantage in choosing Dubai over Abu Dhabi, or the reverse. Dubai is slightly hotter by day at 36°C, compared with 35°C in Abu Dhabi, so neither offers much relief from the afternoon heat. The difference switches after dark: Dubai averages 23°C at night, while Abu Dhabi stays warmer at 25°C. If cooler evenings matter to you, Dubai has the edge; if slightly lower daytime temperatures matter more, choose Abu Dhabi. Both have sea temperatures of 31°C and average no rainy days, so swimming conditions and the likelihood of rain are not useful ways to choose between them.
Plan around the heat, not the rain
Treat October as hot-weather travel rather than autumn sightseeing weather. With 10.4 hours of sunshine on average, there is plenty of daylight for outdoor plans, but putting longer walks in the morning or towards evening makes more sense than pushing through midday. Pack lightweight, breathable clothes, sun protection and footwear you find comfortable in the heat. Keep water handy and leave room for shaded or indoor breaks. The sea is warm rather than cooling, so a swim may not provide the refreshing contrast you expect. Evenings remain warm enough that you should not count on a chilly night to reset after a hot day.
A little more detail
United Arab Emirates in October FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Where is the hottest place in United Arab Emirates in October?
Dubai is the warmest of the 2 places we track in United Arab Emirates in October with an average high of 36.4°C; Abu Dhabi is the coolest at 34.7°C.
Is the sea warm in United Arab Emirates in October?
The sea averages 22°C or more at Dubai (31°C), Abu Dhabi (31°C) in October.
How much warmer is the UAE than London in October?
The UAE averages 36°C by day, while London averages 15°C. That is a substantial change from autumn weather: pack for heat rather than cool days, and expect outdoor activity to feel more demanding around midday.
Is rain likely to disrupt an October holiday?
Rain is unlikely to be the main concern: both Dubai and Abu Dhabi average 0 rainy days in October. That does not guarantee every day will be dry, but heat and sun are more useful priorities when planning what to pack and when to go outdoors.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at 2 destination points.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C