Weather in United States in October

October climate overview

Daytime highs across United States in October run from 17.4°C (New York) to 27.9°C (Miami). In Miami about 97% of October days reach 25°C. Nights average 19.0°C; the coldest 10% of nights in New York fall to 5°C or below.

Rainfall in October

Expect around 9 rainy days (1 mm or more) in October, with Las Vegas the driest (2 days) and Miami the wettest (15 days). The wettest October at Miami between 1991 and 2020 was 2020 with 299 mm; the driest was 1997 with 23 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 25.0°C around United States in October - warmest at Miami (28.0°C). That is comfortable for swimming.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.0 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 States

October is the 6th warmest month of the twelve in United States. It is 3.3°C cooler than September and 3.8°C cooler in November. The hottest month here is July (31°C) and the coolest January (18°C).

Which part of United States in October?

• Most sunshine: Las Vegas, 8.6 h a day.
• Driest: Las Vegas, about 2 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Miami, 28°C.
• Hottest: Miami, 28°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): New York, 17°C.

What to pack for United States in October

Based on the averages: summer clothes for the day; a rain jacket - roughly 9 wet days; swimwear - the sea is 25°C.

Similar weather elsewhere in October

Within 1.5°C of United States's October daytime average: Marrakech (27°C), Hong Kong (27°C, sea 27°C), Limassol (27°C, sea 25°C), Agadir (27°C, sea 20°C), Flic en Flac (27°C, sea 24°C). See the full ranking for October.

Florida and Hawaii for warmth and swimming

Miami and Florida reach 28°C by day, with the sea also at 28°C, making them good choices if swimming matters more than avoiding rain. The catch is wet weather: Miami has 15 rainy days and Florida has 13, so leave room to rearrange outdoor plans rather than expecting uninterrupted sunshine. Orlando is equally warm by day, with 10 rainy days and nights of 20°C. Hawaii offers a better balance of warmth and fewer rainy days: daytime and sea temperatures are 27°C, with 7 rainy days. Its 24°C nights, matching Miami, mean evenings remain warm. Pack light clothing, sun protection and something suitable for showers.

Las Vegas for drier days and cooler evenings

Las Vegas is the clearest choice here if rain is your main concern. With 2 rainy days and daytime temperatures of 26°C, it suits travellers who want warm conditions without building every day around possible showers. That warmth still calls for sun protection and breaks if being outside at midday feels hot. The bigger packing consideration is the change after dark: nights average 15°C, noticeably cooler than the daytime temperature. Bring a jumper or light jacket rather than relying entirely on summer clothes. October works well here for outdoor time by day, provided you are comfortable adding a layer in the evening.

New York for a cooler city holiday

New York is the cooler option, with daytime temperatures of 17°C and nights of 10°C. That makes October better suited to walking in layers than to a holiday centred on swimming: the sea is also 17°C. Compared with London's 15°C daytime average, New York is only modestly warmer, so do not pack as though you were heading to Florida. A jacket, comfortable closed shoes and something for rain are sensible choices, with 9 rainy days during the month. It suits travellers who prefer cooler conditions for being out and about, but evenings call for warmer clothing rather than just a light daytime layer.