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Ireland

Arklow weather & best time to visit

Nature escape

Arklow at a glance

Best time
May – Sep
Warmest month
Jul · 20°
Warmest sea
Sep · 15.4°
Sunshine a year
1,580 h
Rain a year
890 mm
Climate
Maritime
Time zone
UTC+0 / UTC+1
Elevation
2 m

Climate in Arklow

Arklow has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. July is the warmest month with average highs of 20 °C, while January is the coolest at 9 °C. With around 1,580 hours of sunshine a year, Arklow is rather dull; May is the sunniest month with 6.8 hours a day.

Holiday weather through the year

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Arklow

The best time to visit Arklow is from May to September. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in September it only reaches 15.4 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable in September. Rain is frequent in April and from October to January; the wettest month is October with 101 mm.

Arklow through the seasons

How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.

Arklow in spring

Mar – May

49

Fair

  • 11–16 °C by day
  • Sea 9 °C
  • 5.5 h of sun a day
  • 37 rainy days in all

Arklow in summer

Jun – Aug

71

Good

  • 18–20 °C by day
  • Sea 14 °C
  • 6.0 h of sun a day
  • 39 rainy days in all

Arklow in autumn

Sep – Nov

49

Fair

  • 11–18 °C by day
  • Sea 14 °C
  • 3.6 h of sun a day
  • 38 rainy days in all

Arklow in winter

Dec – Feb

20

Poor

  • 9 °C by day
  • Sea 9 °C
  • 2.2 h of sun a day
  • 36 rainy days in all

Which month for what?

Beach & swimming

No month

Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry

Sightseeing & hiking

Sep

15–28 °C and not too much rain

Rainy months

Apr, Oct – Jan

Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days

Find your perfect month

Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Arklow for you.

Swimming in the sea
Sunshine
Little rain

Your best months: June – August

Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.

Your holiday weather, at a glance

Weather in October

Weather in October

49

Holiday weather in October

Fair

Best time to visit: May – September

Keep in mindFrequent rain

A typical day in October

  1. Morning, 08:00: about 9°
  2. Midday, 13:00: about 14°
  3. Afternoon, 16:00: about 14°
  4. Evening, 20:00: about 12°
  5. Night, 23:00: about 11°

07:4818:32

Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.

Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.

Light for photos in October

Golden hour
Morning 07:27–08:36 · evening 17:45–18:53
Blue hour
Morning 07:14–07:27 · evening 18:53–19:07

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 Arklow compared with home

Home:

Loading the climate at home …

Early or late October?

In October, daytime highs fall from about 16° at the start of the month to 13° at the end. The sea cools from 15° to 13°. The days get 2.0 h shorter.

Early or late October?
October1 Oct31 Oct
Daytime high16°13°
Night-time low10°7°
Sea15°13°
Daylight11.7 h9.7 h

What is the weather like in Arklow in October?

In October, Arklow is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 14.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 101 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Arklow.

More details for October

Daylight
10 h 44 min07:48 – 18:32
UV index
2 · lowclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
Muggy days
0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
Wind
25 km/haverage daily peakAll months
Cloud cover
73 %on averageAll months
Hot days
0 days30 °C or more
Snow days
0 days1 cm or more of fresh snow
Time zone
UTC+1offset from UTC

How the score comes together

  • Temperatureweight 50 %73 %
  • Sunshineweight 20 %12 %
  • Few rainy daysweight 30 %32 %

Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Nature escape”.

What to pack in October

  • A jumper for the evenings
  • Rain jacket or umbrella

Compare two months in Arklow

Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.

vs

June has the better holiday weather in Arklow: score 74 against 49. In June, days are 3 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 2 °C cooler in June. June has 2 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 3 hours longer a day in June.

October vs June, Arklow
MonthOctoberJune
Holiday weather score4974better
Daytime high15°18°
Night-time low9°10°
Sea14.3°12.7°
Sunshine3.7 h6.5 hbetter
Rainy days1412better
Rainfall101 mm68 mmbetter

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Arklow month by month

The typical weather for every month at a glance.

18January9° · Sea 9° · 1.9 h

In January, Arklow is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 9.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 1.9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 74 mm in total. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Arklow.

Arklow in January
22February9° · Sea 8° · 2.9 h

In February, Arklow is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 8.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2.9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 61 mm in total. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Arklow.

Arklow in February
33March11° · Sea 8° · 3.9 h

In March, Arklow is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 8.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 61 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Arklow.

Arklow in March
47April13° · Sea 9° · 5.7 h

In April, Arklow is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 9.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.7 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 65 mm in total. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Arklow.

Arklow in April
66May16° · Sea 11° · 6.8 h

In May, Arklow is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 10.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 65 mm in total. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Arklow.

Arklow in May
74June18° · Sea 13° · 6.5 h

In June, Arklow is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 12.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 68 mm in total. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Arklow.

Arklow in June
69July20° · Sea 14° · 5.8 h

In July, Arklow is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 14.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.8 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 71 mm in total. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Arklow.

Arklow in July
70August20° · Sea 15° · 5.7 h

In August, Arklow is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 15.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.7 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 76 mm in total. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Arklow.

Arklow in August
70September18° · Sea 15° · 4.8 h

In September, Arklow is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 15.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.8 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 72 mm in total. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Arklow.

Arklow in September
49October15° · Sea 14° · 3.7 h

In October, Arklow is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 14.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 101 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Arklow.

Arklow in October
29November11° · Sea 12° · 2.4 h

In November, Arklow is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 12.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2.4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 93 mm in total. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Arklow.

Arklow in November
20December9° · Sea 11° · 1.7 h

In December, Arklow is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 10.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 1.7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 84 mm in total. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Arklow.

Arklow in December

Climate in detail

Climate through the year

Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.

Best time to visit

Nights and sleep in Arklow

How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.

  • Cold 0–8°
  • Cool 8–15°

CoolOctober: nights around 9°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.

The coolest nights are in February (4°), the warmest in July (13°). Nights fall below 8 °C on average from November to April, so the room should be heated.

Temperatures through the year

Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.

OctoberDay 15°Night 9°Sea 14°
DayNightSea
MonthScoreDayNightSeaSunRain daysRain mm
JanuaryJan189°4°9.0°1.9 h1274
FebruaryFeb229°4°8.1°2.9 h1161
MarchMar3311°4°8.1°3.9 h1161
AprilApr4713°6°9.1°5.7 h1365
MayMay6616°8°10.7°6.8 h1365
JuneJun7418°10°12.7°6.5 h1268
JulyJul6920°13°14.2°5.8 h1471
AugustAug7020°12°15.3°5.7 h1376
SeptemberSep7018°11°15.4°4.8 h1172
OctoberOct4915°9°14.3°3.7 h14101
NovemberNov2911°6°12.4°2.4 h1393
DecemberDec209°4°10.5°1.7 h1284

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

52.79° N, 6.15° W · 2 m · Europe/Dublin

Swimming calendar

Sea temperature in Arklow

Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.

Sea in October14.3°Ccold

8 in 10 years: 13.8 – 14.9 °C

Swimming season: Always below 20 °C

  • cold
  • fresh
  • refreshing
  • pleasant
  • warm
  • very warm
OctoberMean sea temperature 14.3°8 in 10 years 13.8° – 14.9°
20°
Mean sea temperature8 in 10 years20 °C – comfortable for swimming

The sea temperature in Arklow ranges from 8.1 °C in February to 15.4 °C in September. 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 September, while the air already peaks in July. From November to December the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in September, eight out of ten years were between 14.9 and 16.0 °C.

Sea temperature by month
MonthAverageCool yearWarm yearFeels
JanuaryJan9.0°8.1°9.8°cold
FebruaryFeb8.1°7.5°8.7°cold
MarchMar8.1°7.3°8.8°cold
AprilApr9.1°8.3°9.9°cold
MayMay10.7°10.0°12.0°cold
JuneJun12.7°12.0°13.7°cold
JulyJul14.2°13.5°15.2°cold
AugustAug15.3°14.7°16.0°cold
SeptemberSep15.4°14.9°16.0°cold
OctoberOct14.3°13.8°14.9°cold
NovemberNov12.4°11.9°12.9°cold
DecemberDec10.5°9.8°11.2°cold
Sunshine

Sunshine hours in Arklow

Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.

Per year
1,580 hours
Sunniest month
May · 6.8 h a day
Least sunshine
Dec · 1.7 h a day
OctoberSunshine 3.7 hDaylight 10.7 hShare of daylight 35 %
SunshineDaylight

In October, the sun shines for about 3.7 of 10.7 hours of daylight in Arklow, 35 % 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

Rain in Arklow: 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.

Per year
890 mm on 150 days
Wettest month
Oct · 101 mm
Driest month
Feb · 61 mm
OctoberRainy days 14Rainfall 101 mm

In October, Arklow has about 14 rainy days with 101 mm of rain in total.

Sun protection

UV index in Arklow

How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.

Clear-sky UV in October
2 · lowLittle protection needed; sunglasses on bright days.

The sun is strongest in June (UV 7).

Minutes until sunburn in October

Very fair skin
about 75 min
Fair skin
about 95 min
Light brown skin
over 2 h
Olive skin
over 2 h

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 & clouds

Wind and clouds in Arklow

How breezy and how cloudy Arklow 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.

Year average
23 km/h · moderate breeze
Windiest month
Feb · 26 km/h
Calmest month
Jul · 19 km/h
OctoberWind 25 km/hBeaufort 4
20
WindBeaufort 4

In October, the wind in Arklow typically peaks at 25 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: all year except Jul.

Clouds

Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.

Year average
72 % · mostly cloudy
Clearest month
Apr · 68 %
Cloudiest month
Jul · 74 %
OctoberCloud cover 73 %Sunshine 3.7 h

In October, cloud covers on average 73 % of the sky over Arklow: mostly cloudy, with about 3.7 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.

Planning a trip to Arklow

Weather for your travel dates

Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.

Arklow 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.

Arklow has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 70) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 19).

  • Easter holidays

    Mar – Apr

    43

    Fair

    • 12 °C by day
    • Sea 9 °C
    • 5.2 h of sun a day
    • 12 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain

  • May half-term

    May – Jun

    68

    Good

    • 16 °C by day
    • Sea 11 °C
    • 6.7 h of sun a day
    • 13 rainy days a month
  • Summer holidays

    Jul – Aug

    70

    GoodBest holidays

    • 20 °C by day
    • Sea 15 °C
    • 5.7 h of sun a day
    • 13 rainy days a month
  • October half-term

    Oct

    49

    Fair

    • 15 °C by day
    • Sea 14 °C
    • 3.7 h of sun a day
    • 14 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain

  • Christmas holidays

    Dec – Jan

    19

    Poor

    • 9 °C by day
    • Sea 10 °C
    • 1.8 h of sun a day
    • 12 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Getting there

Flying from

Nonstop flight
Short trip – train or car is often quicker
Distance
420 km
Time zone
UTC+1
Jet lag
Hardly any (under 3 h)

Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.

Compare & alternatives

Compare

Arklow compared

Put Arklow side by side with another destination.

Nearby:
Compare with home:

Arklow vs Wicklow

In October the holiday weather in Arklow and Wicklow is about equally good (score 49 vs 46). During the day Wicklow is 1 °C cooler than Arklow. The sea is about equally warm.

Arklow vs Wicklow, in October
in OctoberArklowWicklow
Holiday weather score4946
Daytime high15°14°
Sea14°14°
Sunshine4 h4 h
Rainy days1414
Best timeMay – SepMay – Sep

Through the year

OctoberArklow 15°Wicklow 14°
ArklowWicklow
Go to Wicklow
Ranking

Ireland in October: the best places

In October, Arklow ranks 1 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.

  1. ArklowThis page15°14°49
  2. 2Enniscorthy14°48
  3. 3Skerries14°14°48
  4. 4Malahide14°14°47
  5. 5Clonmel15°47
  6. 6Wicklow14°14°46
  7. 7Maynooth14°46
  8. 8New Ross14°45
All destinations: Ireland

Near Arklow

Other destinations close by.

Places with a climate like Arklow

Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Arklow's – good alternatives.

  1. 85 % similar4LlandudnoUnited Kingdom15°14°Best time: Jul – Aug
  2. 84 % similar49PlymouthUnited Kingdom16°15°Best time: May – Sep
  3. 84 % similar42South ShieldsUnited Kingdom14°12°Best time: May – Sep
  4. 84 % similar6KinsaleIreland14°14°Best time: Apr – Jul

Frequently asked questions about Arklow

When is the best time to visit Arklow?

The best time to visit Arklow is from May to September. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.

How warm is the sea in Arklow?

The sea temperature in Arklow ranges from 8.1 °C in February to 15.4 °C in September. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.

Can you swim in Arklow in October?

Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 14.3 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.

What is the warmest month in Arklow?

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 20 °C and nights around 13 °C. January is the coolest month at 9 °C.

When does it rain most in Arklow?

Rain is frequent in April and from October to January; the wettest month is October with 101 mm. The driest month is February with 61 mm.

How many hours of sunshine does Arklow get?

Arklow gets around 1,580 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 6.8 hours a day; in December there are 1.7 hours a day.

What time zone is Arklow in?

Arklow is on UTC+0 in January and UTC+1 in July.

Which school holidays are best for Arklow?

Arklow has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 70) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 19). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 43, May half-term 68, summer holidays 70, October half-term 49, Christmas holidays 19.