AI-generatedBelfast at a glance
- Best time
- Jun – Aug
- Warmest month
- Aug · 17°
- Warmest sea
- Sep · 14.0°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,370 h
- Rain a year
- 969 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+0 / UTC+1
- Elevation
- 7 m
Climate in Belfast
Belfast has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. August is the warmest month with average highs of 17 °C, while January is the coolest at 8 °C. With around 1,370 hours of sunshine a year, Belfast is rather dull; May is the sunniest month with 6.4 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: June – August
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 10°
- Midday, 13:00: about 13°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 13°
- Evening, 20:00: about 12°
- Night, 23:00: about 11°
07:5018:28
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 07:28–08:40 · evening 17:39–18:51
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:14–07:28 · evening 18:51–19:05
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.
What is the weather like in Belfast in October?
In October, Belfast is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 13.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 104 mm. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Belfast.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 10 h 38 min07:50 – 18:28
- UV index
- 1 · lowclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 28 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 74 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Snow days
- 0 days1 cm or more of fresh snow
- Time zone
- UTC+1Europe/London
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %50 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %0 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %20 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Sea temperature in Belfast
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 13.2 – 14.2 °C
Swimming season: Never above 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Belfast ranges from 8.0 °C in March to 14.0 °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 August. From October to February 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 13.6 and 14.6 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 9.3° | 8.6° | 9.9° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 8.3° | 7.8° | 9.0° | cold |
| MarchMar | 8.0° | 7.3° | 8.7° | cold |
| AprilApr | 8.4° | 7.8° | 9.0° | cold |
| MayMay | 9.4° | 8.8° | 10.2° | cold |
| JuneJun | 11.1° | 10.5° | 11.6° | cold |
| JulyJul | 12.6° | 12.0° | 13.2° | cold |
| AugustAug | 13.6° | 12.9° | 14.2° | cold |
| SeptemberSep | 14.0° | 13.6° | 14.6° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 13.6° | 13.2° | 14.2° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 12.4° | 11.8° | 13.1° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 10.7° | 10.2° | 11.3° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Belfast
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 2.9 of 10.6 hours of daylight in Belfast, 27 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 21 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Belfast
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 1 · lowLittle protection needed; sunglasses on bright days.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 7).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 90 min
- Fair skin
- about 110 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 it, 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.
Rain in Belfast: 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, Belfast has about 15 rainy days with 104 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Belfast
How breezy and how cloudy Belfast 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 Belfast typically peaks at 28 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, and here it gets there all year.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 74 % of the sky over Belfast: mostly cloudy, with about 2.9 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.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Belfast
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 10°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in February (5°), the warmest in August (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.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 7 | 8° | 5° | 9.3° | 1.6 h | 15 | 83 |
| FebruaryFeb | 10 | 8° | 5° | 8.3° | 2.6 h | 13 | 69 |
| MarchMar | 16 | 9° | 5° | 8.0° | 3.5 h | 13 | 66 |
| AprilApr | 31 | 10° | 6° | 8.4° | 5.3 h | 13 | 61 |
| MayMay | 44 | 13° | 9° | 9.4° | 6.4 h | 14 | 70 |
| JuneJun | 54 | 15° | 11° | 11.1° | 5.6 h | 14 | 77 |
| JulyJul | 57 | 17° | 13° | 12.6° | 4.9 h | 15 | 84 |
| AugustAug | 57 | 17° | 13° | 13.6° | 4.7 h | 15 | 85 |
| SeptemberSep | 50 | 16° | 12° | 14.0° | 4.0 h | 14 | 80 |
| OctoberOct | 31 | 13° | 10° | 13.6° | 2.9 h | 15 | 104 |
| NovemberNov | 16 | 10° | 7° | 12.4° | 2.0 h | 15 | 96 |
| DecemberDec | 8 | 8° | 5° | 10.7° | 1.5 h | 15 | 95 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, 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
54.60° N, 5.93° W · 7 m · Europe/London
Best time to visit Belfast
The best time to visit Belfast is from June to August. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in September it only reaches 14.0 °C. The wettest month is October with 104 mm of precipitation.
Belfast through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Belfast in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- 9–13 °C by day
- Sea 9 °C
- 5 h of sun a day
- 40 rainy days in all
Belfast in summer
Jun – Aug
Fair
- 15–17 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 5 h of sun a day
- 43 rainy days in all
Belfast in autumn
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 10–16 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 3 h of sun a day
- 44 rainy days in all
Belfast in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 8 °C by day
- Sea 9 °C
- 2 h of sun a day
- 43 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Belfast for you.
Your best months: June – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Belfast
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
July has the better holiday weather in Belfast: score 57 against 31. In July, days are 4 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 1 °C cooler in July. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in July.
| Month | October | July |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 31 | 57better |
| Day high | 13° | 17° |
| Night low | 10° | 13° |
| Sea | 13.6° | 12.6° |
| Sunshine | 2.9 h | 4.9 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 15 | 15 |
| Rainfall | 104 mm | 84 mmbetter |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
No month
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
All year
12 or more rainy days
Belfast month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
7January8° · Sea 9° · 2 h
In January, Belfast is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 9.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 83 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 29 km/h. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Belfast.
Belfast in January10February8° · Sea 8° · 3 h
In February, Belfast is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 8.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 69 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 29 km/h. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Belfast.
Belfast in February16March9° · Sea 8° · 4 h
In March, Belfast is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 8.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 66 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Belfast.
Belfast in March31April10° · Sea 8° · 5 h
In April, Belfast is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 8.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 61 mm in total. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Belfast.
Belfast in April44May13° · Sea 9° · 6 h
In May, Belfast is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 9.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 70 mm. All in all, May is a so-so month for a holiday in Belfast.
Belfast in May54June15° · Sea 11° · 6 h
In June, Belfast is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 11.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 77 mm in total. All in all, June is a so-so month for a holiday in Belfast.
Belfast in June57July17° · Sea 13° · 5 h
In July, Belfast is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 12.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 84 mm. All in all, July is a so-so month for a holiday in Belfast.
Belfast in July57August17° · Sea 14° · 5 h
In August, Belfast is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 13.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 85 mm. All in all, August is a so-so month for a holiday in Belfast.
Belfast in August50September16° · Sea 14° · 4 h
In September, Belfast is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 14.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 80 mm in total. All in all, September is a so-so month for a holiday in Belfast.
Belfast in September31October13° · Sea 14° · 3 h
In October, Belfast is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 13.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 104 mm. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Belfast.
Belfast in October16November10° · Sea 12° · 2 h
In November, Belfast is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 12.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 96 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 28 km/h. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Belfast.
Belfast in November8December8° · Sea 11° · 2 h
In December, Belfast is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 10.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 95 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 29 km/h. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Belfast.
Belfast in DecemberBelfast compared
Put Belfast side by side with another destination.
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Belfast vs. Portadown
In October the holiday weather in Belfast and Portadown is about equally good (score 31 vs. 30). During the day Portadown is 1 °C cooler than Belfast.
| in October | Belfast | Portadown |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 31 | 30 |
| Daytime high | 13° | 12° |
| Sea | 14° | – |
| Sunshine | 3 h | 3 h |
| Rainy days | 15 | 14 |
| Best time | Jun – Aug | Jul |
Through the year
United Kingdom in October: the best places
In October, Belfast ranks 7 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Wrexham13°38
- 2Chester14°37
- 3Durham13°37
- 4Newcastle upon Tyne13°35
- 5Warrington14°33
- 6Halifax13°32
- 7BelfastThis page13°14°31
- 8Manchester13°31
Planning a trip to Belfast
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Belfast 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.
Belfast has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 57) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 8).
- 27
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 10 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 4.8 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 46
May half-term
May – Jun
Fair
- 13 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 6.2 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 57
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
FairBest holidays
- 17 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 4.8 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 31
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 13 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 2.9 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 8
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 8 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 1.6 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 1 h 5 min
- Distance
- 500 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.
Frequently asked questions about Belfast
When is the best time to visit Belfast?
The best time to visit Belfast is from June to August. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Belfast?
The sea temperature in Belfast ranges from 8.0 °C in March to 14.0 °C in September. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Belfast in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 13.6 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Belfast?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 17 °C and nights around 13 °C. January is the coolest month at 8 °C.
When does it rain most in Belfast?
The wettest month is October with 104 mm of precipitation. The driest month is April with 61 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Belfast get?
Belfast gets around 1,370 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 6.4 hours a day; in December there are 1.5 hours a day.
What time zone is Belfast in?
Belfast uses the time zone Europe/London: UTC+0 in January and UTC+1 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Belfast?
A nonstop flight from London to Belfast takes about 1 h 5 min, for a straight-line distance of about 500 km.
Which school holidays are best for Belfast?
Belfast has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 57) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 8). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 27, May half-term 46, Summer holidays 57, October half-term 31, Christmas holidays 8.
Near Belfast
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Belfast
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Belfast's – good alternatives.