AI-generatedFolkestone at a glance
- Best time
- Jul – Aug
- Warmest month
- Aug · 23°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 17.8°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,830 h
- Rain a year
- 690 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+0 / UTC+1
- Elevation
- 46 m
Climate in Folkestone
Folkestone 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 8 °C. With around 1,830 hours of sunshine a year, Folkestone is moderately sunny; June is the sunniest month with 7.8 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Folkestone
The best time to visit Folkestone is from July to August. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in August it only reaches 17.8 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from May to September. Rain is frequent from October to December; the wettest month is October with 71 mm.
Folkestone through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Folkestone in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- 11–17 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 6.1 h of sun a day
- 31 rainy days in all
Folkestone in summer
Jun – Aug
Fair
- 20–23 °C by day
- Sea 16 °C
- 7.6 h of sun a day
- 32 rainy days in all
Folkestone in autumn
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 11–20 °C by day
- Sea 16 °C
- 4.0 h of sun a day
- 34 rainy days in all
Folkestone in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 8–9 °C by day
- Sea 9 °C
- 2.3 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
May – Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Oct – Dec
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Folkestone 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: July – August
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 10°
- Midday, 13:00: about 15°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 15°
- Evening, 20:00: about 12°
- Night, 23:00: about 11°
07:1718:05
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 06:56–08:02 · evening 17:20–18:26
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:43–06:56 · evening 18:26–18:38
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 Folkestone compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 18° at the start of the month to 13° at the end. The sea cools from 17° to 15°. The days get 1.8 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 18° | 13° |
| Night-time low | 10° | 7° |
| Sea | 17° | 15° |
| Daylight | 11.7 h | 9.9 h |
What is the weather like in Folkestone in October?
In October, Folkestone is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 15.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 71 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Folkestone.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 10 h 48 min07:17 – 18:05
- 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
- 69 %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 35 %0 %
- Seaweight 25 %0 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %15 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %41 %
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 Folkestone
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 Folkestone: score 49 against 11. In August, days are 7 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 2 °C warmer in August. August has 2 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 3 hours longer a day in August.
| Month | October | August |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 11 | 49better |
| Daytime high | 16° | 23° |
| Night-time low | 9° | 14° |
| Sea | 15.8° | 17.8° |
| Sunshine | 3.9 h | 7.2 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 12 | 10better |
| Rainfall | 71 mm | 65 mm |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Folkestone month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
9January8° · Sea 9° · 2.1 h
In January, Folkestone is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 9.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2.1 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 59 mm in total. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Folkestone.
Folkestone in January11February8° · Sea 8° · 3.0 h
In February, Folkestone is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sea averages 7.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.0 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 51 mm in total. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Folkestone.
Folkestone in February15March11° · Sea 8° · 4.3 h
In March, Folkestone is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 7.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.3 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 45 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Folkestone.
Folkestone in March23April14° · Sea 9° · 6.5 h
In April, Folkestone is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 9.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 45 mm in total. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Folkestone.
Folkestone in April25May17° · Sea 11° · 7.4 h
In May, Folkestone is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 11.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 56 mm in total. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Folkestone.
Folkestone in May33June20° · Sea 14° · 7.8 h
In June, Folkestone is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 14.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 55 mm in total. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Folkestone.
Folkestone in June45July23° · Sea 16° · 7.7 h
In July, Folkestone is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 16.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 58 mm in total. All in all, July is a so-so month for a holiday in Folkestone – and yet one of the best months here.
Folkestone in July49August23° · Sea 18° · 7.2 h
In August, Folkestone is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 17.8 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7.2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 65 mm in total. All in all, August is a so-so month for a holiday in Folkestone – and yet one of the best months here.
Folkestone in August27September20° · Sea 18° · 5.7 h
In September, Folkestone is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 17.5 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5.7 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 51 mm in total. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Folkestone.
Folkestone in September11October16° · Sea 16° · 3.9 h
In October, Folkestone is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 15.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 71 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Folkestone.
Folkestone in October8November11° · Sea 13° · 2.5 h
In November, Folkestone is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 13.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 70 mm in total. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Folkestone.
Folkestone in November8December9° · Sea 11° · 1.9 h
In December, Folkestone is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 10.7 °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 65 mm in total. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Folkestone.
Folkestone in DecemberClimate in detail
Year & climate table
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Folkestone
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 (2°), the warmest in August (14°). 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 | 9 | 8° | 3° | 9.0° | 2.1 h | 12 | 59 |
| FebruaryFeb | 11 | 8° | 2° | 7.8° | 3.0 h | 11 | 51 |
| MarchMar | 15 | 11° | 4° | 7.9° | 4.3 h | 10 | 45 |
| AprilApr | 23 | 14° | 6° | 9.2° | 6.5 h | 10 | 45 |
| MayMay | 25 | 17° | 9° | 11.4° | 7.4 h | 11 | 56 |
| JuneJun | 33 | 20° | 11° | 14.0° | 7.8 h | 10 | 55 |
| JulyJul | 45 | 23° | 14° | 16.3° | 7.7 h | 12 | 58 |
| AugustAug | 49 | 23° | 14° | 17.8° | 7.2 h | 10 | 65 |
| SeptemberSep | 27 | 20° | 12° | 17.5° | 5.7 h | 9 | 51 |
| OctoberOct | 11 | 16° | 9° | 15.8° | 3.9 h | 12 | 71 |
| NovemberNov | 8 | 11° | 5° | 13.4° | 2.5 h | 12 | 70 |
| DecemberDec | 8 | 9° | 3° | 10.7° | 1.9 h | 12 | 65 |
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
51.08° N, 1.17° E · 46 m · Europe/London
Sea temperature
Sea temperature in Folkestone
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 15.0 – 16.7 °C
Swimming season: Always below 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Folkestone ranges from 7.8 °C in February to 17.8 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
From October to January 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 17.1 and 18.7 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 9.0° | 7.8° | 10.1° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 7.8° | 6.6° | 9.1° | cold |
| MarchMar | 7.9° | 6.0° | 9.0° | cold |
| AprilApr | 9.2° | 8.0° | 10.3° | cold |
| MayMay | 11.4° | 10.3° | 12.3° | cold |
| JuneJun | 14.0° | 13.3° | 14.9° | cold |
| JulyJul | 16.3° | 15.5° | 17.5° | cold |
| AugustAug | 17.8° | 17.1° | 18.7° | fresh |
| SeptemberSep | 17.5° | 16.7° | 18.3° | fresh |
| OctoberOct | 15.8° | 15.0° | 16.7° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 13.4° | 12.6° | 14.3° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 10.7° | 9.7° | 11.6° | cold |
Sunshine
Sunshine hours in Folkestone
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 3.9 of 10.8 hours of daylight in Folkestone, 36 % 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 Folkestone: 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, Folkestone has about 12 rainy days with 71 mm of rain in total.
UV index
UV index in Folkestone
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 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 Folkestone
How breezy and how cloudy Folkestone 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 Folkestone 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, and here it is that strong all year.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 69 % of the sky over Folkestone: mostly cloudy, with about 3.9 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.
Planning a trip to Folkestone
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Folkestone 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.
Folkestone has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 48) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 9).
- 21
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 13 °C by day
- Sea 9 °C
- 5.8 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
- 27
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 18 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 7.5 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 48
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
FairBest holidays
- 23 °C by day
- Sea 17 °C
- 7.4 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 11
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 16 °C by day
- Sea 16 °C
- 3.9 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 9
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 8 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 2.0 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
- 120 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.
Good to know: United Kingdom
- Currency
- British Pound (GBP)
- Language
- English
- Sockets
- Type G · 230 V
- Traffic
- Drives on the left
- Dialling code
- +44
- Emergency number
- 999 · 112
UK plugs fit
Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.
Compare & alternatives
Compare with another place
Folkestone compared
Put Folkestone side by side with another destination.
Folkestone vs Dover
In October the holiday weather in Folkestone and Dover is about equally good (score 11 vs 11). During the day it is about as warm in Dover as in Folkestone. The sea is about equally warm.
| in October | Folkestone | Dover |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 11 | 11 |
| Daytime high | 16° | 16° |
| Sea | 16° | 16° |
| Sunshine | 4 h | 4 h |
| Rainy days | 12 | 12 |
| Best time | Jul – Aug | Jul – Aug |
Through the year
Best places in the country
United Kingdom in October: the best places
In October, Folkestone ranks 21 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Weybridge16°60
- 2Lewes16°57
- 3London16°57
- 4Guildford16°54
- 5Woking16°54
- 6Canterbury16°53
- 7Chelmsford15°53
- 8Brighton16°16°52
- 21FolkestoneThis page16°16°11
Places nearby
Near Folkestone
Other destinations close by.
Places with a similar climate
Places with a climate like Folkestone
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Folkestone's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Folkestone
When is the best time to visit Folkestone?
The best time to visit Folkestone is from July to August. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Folkestone?
The sea temperature in Folkestone ranges from 7.8 °C in February to 17.8 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Folkestone in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 15.8 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Folkestone?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 23 °C and nights around 14 °C. January is the coolest month at 8 °C.
When does it rain most in Folkestone?
Rain is frequent from October to December; the wettest month is October with 71 mm. The driest month is March with 45 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Folkestone get?
Folkestone gets around 1,830 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is June with 7.8 hours a day; in December there are 1.9 hours a day.
What time zone is Folkestone in?
Folkestone is on UTC+0 in January and UTC+1 in July.
Which school holidays are best for Folkestone?
Folkestone has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 48) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 9). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 21, May half-term 27, summer holidays 48, October half-term 11, Christmas holidays 9.