AI-generatedAmherst at a glance
- Best time
- Aug
- Warmest month
- Jul · 25°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 19.1°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,930 h
- Rain a year
- 1,074 mm
- Climate
- Continental
- Time zone
- UTC−4 / UTC−3
- Elevation
- 20 m
Climate in Amherst
Amherst has mild to warm summers and cold winters with occasional snow. July is the warmest month with average highs of 25 °C, while January is the coolest at −2 °C. With around 1,930 hours of sunshine a year, Amherst is moderately sunny; July is the sunniest month with 7.4 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Amherst
The best time to visit Amherst is in August. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in August it only reaches 19.1 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from June to September. Rain is frequent from April to May and in December; the wettest month is December with 110 mm.
Amherst through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Amherst in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- 3–16 °C by day
- Sea 2 °C
- 5.8 h of sun a day
- 36 rainy days in all
Amherst in summer
Jun – Aug
Fair
- 21–25 °C by day
- Sea 16 °C
- 7.1 h of sun a day
- 32 rainy days in all
Amherst in autumn
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 8–20 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 4.5 h of sun a day
- 30 rainy days in all
Amherst in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- −2–2 °C by day
- Sea 0 °C
- 3.7 h of sun a day
- 35 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Jun – Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Apr – May, Dec
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Snow
Nov – Apr
Snow on 2 or more days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Amherst for you.
Your best months: July – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: August
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 5°
- Midday, 13:00: about 13°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 14°
- Evening, 20:00: about 10°
- Night, 23:00: about 7°
07:3218:33
Cold evenings: bring a warm jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 07:13–08:12 · evening 17:52–18:51
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:02–07:13 · evening 18:51–19:03
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
October in Amherst compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 17° at the start of the month to 11° at the end. The sea cools from 15° to 10°. The days get 1.5 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 17° | 11° |
| Night-time low | 6° | 2° |
| Sea | 15° | 10° |
| Daylight | 11.8 h | 10.2 h |
What is the weather like in Amherst in October?
In October, Amherst is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 13.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.3 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 96 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Amherst.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 1 min07:32 – 18:33
- UV index
- 3 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 21 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 63 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Snow days
- 0 days1 cm or more of fresh snowAll months
- Time zone
- UTC−3offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %0 %
- Seaweight 25 %0 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %22 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %54 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Compare two months in Amherst
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
August has the better holiday weather in Amherst: score 63 against 15. In August, days are 10 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 6 °C warmer in August. August has one rainy day fewer. The sun shines 3 hours longer a day in August.
| Month | October | August |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 15 | 63better |
| Daytime high | 14° | 24° |
| Night-time low | 4° | 13° |
| Sea | 13.4° | 19.1° |
| Sunshine | 4.3 h | 7.0 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 11 | 10better |
| Rainfall | 96 mm | 76 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 0better | 5 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Amherst month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
11January−2° · Sea 0° · 3.6 h
In January, Amherst is bitterly cold: daytime highs average −2 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−12 °C). The sea averages −0.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.6 hours a day. Precipitation falls on about 12 days, totalling 95 mm; on about 8 of them it snows. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Amherst.
Amherst in January16February−1° · Sea −1° · 4.4 h
In February, Amherst is bitterly cold: daytime highs average −1 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−11 °C). The sea averages −0.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.4 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation falls on about 10 days, totalling 83 mm; on about 7 of them it snows. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Amherst.
Amherst in February16March3° · Sea 0° · 5.1 h
In March, Amherst is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 3 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−7 °C). The sea averages −0.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.1 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation falls on about 12 days, totalling 93 mm; on about 7 of them it snows. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Amherst.
Amherst in March17April9° · Sea 1° · 5.6 h
In April, Amherst is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−1 °C). The sea averages 1.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 83 mm in total. Snow falls on about 4 days. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Amherst.
Amherst in April21May16° · Sea 6° · 6.7 h
In May, Amherst is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 6.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 77 mm in total. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Amherst.
Amherst in May34June21° · Sea 13° · 7.0 h
In June, Amherst is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 12.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.0 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 87 mm in total. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Amherst.
Amherst in June58July25° · Sea 18° · 7.4 h
In July, Amherst is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 17.5 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7.4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 79 mm in total. All in all, July is a so-so month for a holiday in Amherst.
Amherst in July63August24° · Sea 19° · 7.0 h
In August, Amherst is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 19.1 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7.0 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 76 mm in total. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Amherst.
Amherst in August31September20° · Sea 17° · 5.9 h
In September, Amherst is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 17.4 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 93 mm in total. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Amherst.
Amherst in September15October14° · Sea 13° · 4.3 h
In October, Amherst is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 13.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.3 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 96 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Amherst.
Amherst in October11November8° · Sea 8° · 3.2 h
In November, Amherst is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−1 °C). The sea averages 7.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 103 mm in total. Snow falls on about 3 days. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Amherst.
Amherst in November8December2° · Sea 2° · 3.0 h
In December, Amherst is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 2 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−6 °C). The sea averages 2.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.0 hours a day. Precipitation falls on about 12 days, totalling 110 mm; on about 7 of them it snows. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Amherst.
Amherst in DecemberClimate in detail
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Amherst
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Frost below 0°
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
ColdOctober: nights around 4°. The room should be heated.
The coolest nights are in January (−12°), the warmest in July (13°). Nights fall below 8 °C on average from October to May, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 11 | −2° | −12° | −0.4° | 3.6 h | 12 | 95 |
| FebruaryFeb | 16 | −1° | −11° | −0.8° | 4.4 h | 10 | 83 |
| MarchMar | 16 | 3° | −7° | −0.5° | 5.1 h | 12 | 93 |
| AprilApr | 17 | 9° | −1° | 1.4° | 5.6 h | 12 | 83 |
| MayMay | 21 | 16° | 5° | 6.3° | 6.7 h | 12 | 77 |
| JuneJun | 34 | 21° | 10° | 12.5° | 7.0 h | 12 | 87 |
| JulyJul | 58 | 25° | 13° | 17.5° | 7.4 h | 11 | 79 |
| AugustAug | 63 | 24° | 13° | 19.1° | 7.0 h | 10 | 76 |
| SeptemberSep | 31 | 20° | 9° | 17.4° | 5.9 h | 9 | 93 |
| OctoberOct | 15 | 14° | 4° | 13.4° | 4.3 h | 11 | 96 |
| NovemberNov | 11 | 8° | −1° | 7.6° | 3.2 h | 11 | 103 |
| DecemberDec | 8 | 2° | −6° | 2.3° | 3.0 h | 12 | 110 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
45.83° N, 64.20° W · 20 m · America/Halifax
Sea temperature in Amherst
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 11.7 – 14.5 °C
Swimming season: Always below 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Amherst ranges from −0.8 °C in February to 19.1 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in August, while the air already peaks in July. From December to February the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in August, eight out of ten years were between 18.1 and 20.5 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | −0.4° | −0.9° | 0.2° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | −0.8° | −1.5° | −0.3° | cold |
| MarchMar | −0.5° | −0.9° | 0.0° | cold |
| AprilApr | 1.4° | 0.3° | 3.1° | cold |
| MayMay | 6.3° | 2.6° | 8.7° | cold |
| JuneJun | 12.5° | 10.7° | 14.2° | cold |
| JulyJul | 17.5° | 16.0° | 18.8° | fresh |
| AugustAug | 19.1° | 18.1° | 20.5° | fresh |
| SeptemberSep | 17.4° | 16.2° | 18.8° | fresh |
| OctoberOct | 13.4° | 11.7° | 14.5° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 7.6° | 5.7° | 9.1° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 2.3° | 1.1° | 3.7° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Amherst
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 4.3 of 11.0 hours of daylight in Amherst, 39 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain in Amherst: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Amherst has about 11 rainy days with 96 mm of rain in total.
UV index in Amherst
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 3 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 9).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 45 min
- Fair skin
- about 60 min
- Light brown skin
- about 80 min
- Olive skin
- about 105 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Wind and clouds in Amherst
How breezy and how cloudy Amherst is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Amherst typically peaks at 21 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting: Oct – May.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 63 % of the sky over Amherst: variable cloud, with about 4.3 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Amherst
How often the day gets hot in Amherst (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Amherst has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 14 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Snow in Amherst
When Amherst is likely to be white: the chance of seeing snow during a week's stay, the days with fresh snow and how much falls. Tap a month to select it.
Snow calendar
- hardly any
- possible
- likely
- very likely
In October, it hardly ever snows in Amherst.
Snow days bring at least 1 cm of fresh snow. Fresh snow comes from ERA5 snowfall (1996–2025) at the height of the place, not on the slopes above it; the snow chance also weighs whether the snow settles. An estimate from climate averages, not a snow report.
Planning a trip to Amherst
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Amherst in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Amherst has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 61) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 10).
- 17
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 7 °C by day
- Sea 1 °C
- 5.4 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Snow
- 24
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 17 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 6.8 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 61
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
GoodBest holidays
- 24 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 7.1 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 15
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 14 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 4.3 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
- 10
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 0 °C by day
- Sea 1 °C
- 3.3 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Snow
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 6 h
- Distance
- 4,570 km
- Time zone
- UTC−3
- Jet lag
- About 3 days (4 h west)
Rule of thumb for flying west: for a few days before, stay up a little later, and get afternoon and evening light at your destination.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Compare & alternatives
Amherst compared
Put Amherst side by side with another destination.
Amherst vs Shediac
In October the holiday weather in Amherst and Shediac is about equally good (score 15 vs 15). During the day it is about as warm in Shediac as in Amherst. The sea is about equally warm. Shediac gets one more hour of sunshine a day.
| in October | Amherst | Shediac |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 15 | 15 |
| Daytime high | 14° | 14° |
| Sea | 13° | 13° |
| Sunshine | 4 h | 5 h |
| Rainy days | 11 | 11 |
| Best time | Aug | Jul – Aug |
Through the year
Canada in October: the best places
In October, Amherst ranks 20 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- St. Andrews14°12°57
- 2Yarmouth14°12°56
- 3Wolfville14°13°54
- 4Halifax14°14°53
- 5Digby14°12°51
- 6Antigonish15°50
- 7Saint John14°12°49
- 8Miramichi13°49
- 20AmherstThis page14°13°15
Near Amherst
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Amherst
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Amherst's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Amherst
When is the best time to visit Amherst?
The best time to visit Amherst is in August. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Amherst?
The sea temperature in Amherst ranges from −0.8 °C in February to 19.1 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Amherst in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 13.4 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Amherst?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 25 °C and nights around 13 °C. January is the coolest month at −2 °C.
When does it rain most in Amherst?
Rain is frequent from April to May and in December; the wettest month is December with 110 mm. The driest month is August with 76 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Amherst get?
Amherst gets around 1,930 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 7.4 hours a day; in December there are 3.0 hours a day.
What time zone is Amherst in?
Amherst is on UTC−4 in January and UTC−3 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Amherst?
A nonstop flight from London to Amherst takes about 6 h, for a straight-line distance of about 4,570 km.
Which school holidays are best for Amherst?
Amherst has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 61) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 10). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 17, May half-term 24, summer holidays 61, October half-term 15, Christmas holidays 10.