AI-generatedCologne at a glance
- Best time
- May – Sep
- Warmest month
- Aug · 23°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,590 h
- Rain a year
- 797 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+1 / UTC+2
- Elevation
- 58 m
Climate in Cologne
Cologne has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. August is the warmest month with average highs of 23 °C, while January is the coolest at 5 °C. With around 1,590 hours of sunshine a year, Cologne is rather dull; June is the sunniest month with 6.7 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Fair
Best time to visit: May – September
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 9°
- Midday, 13:00: about 14°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 15°
- Evening, 20:00: about 12°
- Night, 23:00: about 11°
07:5318:42
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 07:33–08:39 · evening 17:57–19:03
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:20–07:33 · evening 19:03–19:15
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 Cologne in October?
In October, Cologne is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 72 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Cologne.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 10 h 49 min07:53 – 18:42
- UV index
- 2 · lowclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 18 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 70 %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+2Europe/Berlin
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %67 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %7 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %41 %
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
Sunshine hours in Cologne
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 3.4 of 10.8 hours of daylight in Cologne, 31 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 17 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 Cologne
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 8).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 65 min
- Fair skin
- about 85 min
- Light brown skin
- about 115 min
- 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 Cologne: 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, Cologne has about 12 rainy days with 72 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Cologne
How breezy and how cloudy Cologne 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 Cologne typically peaks at 18 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, light breeze.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 70 % of the sky over Cologne: mostly cloudy, with about 3.4 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 Cologne
How often the day gets hot in Cologne (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, Cologne has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 15 °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 Cologne
Snow is possible in Cologne, but no month makes it likely: 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 Cologne.
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.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Cologne
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°
- Pleasant 15–20°
CoolOctober: nights around 9°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in January (0°), the warmest in August (15°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from July to August. 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 | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 9 | 5° | 0° | 1.8 h | 14 | 71 |
| FebruaryFeb | 12 | 7° | 1° | 2.6 h | 12 | 64 |
| MarchMar | 27 | 10° | 2° | 4.0 h | 12 | 59 |
| AprilApr | 58 | 14° | 5° | 5.8 h | 10 | 48 |
| MayMay | 75 | 18° | 9° | 6.4 h | 12 | 61 |
| JuneJun | 77 | 22° | 13° | 6.7 h | 11 | 64 |
| JulyJul | 73 | 23° | 15° | 6.7 h | 13 | 76 |
| AugustAug | 74 | 23° | 15° | 6.3 h | 12 | 73 |
| SeptemberSep | 73 | 19° | 12° | 5.0 h | 10 | 61 |
| OctoberOct | 47 | 15° | 9° | 3.4 h | 12 | 72 |
| NovemberNov | 17 | 9° | 5° | 2.0 h | 13 | 71 |
| DecemberDec | 7 | 6° | 2° | 1.5 h | 15 | 77 |
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
50.93° N, 6.95° E · 58 m · Europe/Berlin
Best time to visit Cologne
The best time to visit Cologne is from May to September. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from May to June and from August to September. Rain is most frequent in July and from October to March; the wettest month is December with 77 mm.
Cologne through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Cologne in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 10–18 °C by day
- 5 h of sun a day
- 34 rainy days in all
Cologne in summer
Jun – Aug
Good
- 22–23 °C by day
- 7 h of sun a day
- 36 rainy days in all
Cologne in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 9–19 °C by day
- 4 h of sun a day
- 36 rainy days in all
Cologne in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 5–7 °C by day
- 2 h of sun a day
- 41 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Cologne for you.
Your best months: June – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Cologne
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
June has the better holiday weather in Cologne: score 77 against 47. In June, days are 7 °C warmer than in October. June has one rainy day fewer. The sun shines 3 hours longer a day in June.
| Month | October | June |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 47 | 77better |
| Day high | 15° | 22° |
| Night low | 9° | 13° |
| Sunshine | 3.4 h | 6.7 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 12 | 11better |
| Rainfall | 72 mm | 64 mm |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
May – Jun, Aug – Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Jul, Oct – Mar
12 or more rainy days
Cologne month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
9January5° · 2 h
In January, Cologne is cold: daytime highs average 5 °C, and nights cool down to about 0 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 71 mm in total. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Cologne.
Cologne in January12February7° · 3 h
In February, Cologne is cold: daytime highs average 7 °C, and nights cool down to about 1 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 64 mm in total. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Cologne.
Cologne in February27March10° · 4 h
In March, Cologne is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 59 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Cologne.
Cologne in March58April14° · 6 h
In April, Cologne is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 48 mm in total. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Cologne.
Cologne in April75May18° · 6 h
In May, Cologne is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 61 mm in total. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Cologne.
Cologne in May77June22° · 7 h
In June, Cologne is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 64 mm in total. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Cologne.
Cologne in June73July23° · 7 h
In July, Cologne is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 76 mm in total. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Cologne.
Cologne in July74August23° · 6 h
In August, Cologne is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 73 mm in total. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Cologne.
Cologne in August73September19° · 5 h
In September, Cologne is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 61 mm in total. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Cologne.
Cologne in September47October15° · 3 h
In October, Cologne is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 72 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Cologne.
Cologne in October17November9° · 2 h
In November, Cologne is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 71 mm in total. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Cologne.
Cologne in November7December6° · 2 h
In December, Cologne is cold: daytime highs average 6 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 77 mm. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Cologne.
Cologne in DecemberCologne compared
Put Cologne side by side with another destination.
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Cologne vs. Bonn
In October the holiday weather in Cologne and Bonn is about equally good (score 47 vs. 47). During the day it is about as warm in Bonn as in Cologne.
| in October | Cologne | Bonn |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 47 | 47 |
| Daytime high | 15° | 15° |
| Sunshine | 3 h | 3 h |
| Rainy days | 12 | 12 |
| Best time | May – Sep | May – Sep |
Through the year
Germany in October: the best places
In October, Cologne ranks 11 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Karlsruhe16°55
- 2Worms15°53
- 3Mannheim15°53
- 4Heidelberg15°53
- 5Wiesbaden15°50
- 6Mainz15°50
- 7Darmstadt15°50
- 8Frankfurt15°49
- 11CologneThis page15°47
Planning a trip to Cologne
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Cologne 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.
Cologne has its best school-holiday weather during May half-term (score 75) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 8).
- 49
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Fair
- 13 °C by day
- 5.3 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 75
May half-term
May – Jun
GoodBest holidays
- 19 °C by day
- 6.5 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 74
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Good
- 23 °C by day
- 6.4 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 47
October half-term
Oct
Fair
- 15 °C by day
- 3.4 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 8
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 6 °C by day
- 1.7 h of sun a day
- 14 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 10 min
- Distance
- 520 km
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- 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 Cologne
When is the best time to visit Cologne?
The best time to visit Cologne is from May to September. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Cologne?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 23 °C and nights around 15 °C. January is the coolest month at 5 °C.
When does it rain most in Cologne?
Rain is most frequent in July and from October to March; the wettest month is December with 77 mm. The driest month is April with 48 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Cologne get?
Cologne gets around 1,590 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is June with 6.7 hours a day; in December there are 1.5 hours a day.
What time zone is Cologne in?
Cologne uses the time zone Europe/Berlin: UTC+1 in January and UTC+2 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Cologne?
A nonstop flight from London to Cologne takes about 1 h 10 min, for a straight-line distance of about 520 km.
Which school holidays are best for Cologne?
Cologne has its best school-holiday weather during May half-term (score 75) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 8). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 49, May half-term 75, Summer holidays 74, October half-term 47, Christmas holidays 8.
Near Cologne
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Cologne
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Cologne's – good alternatives.