AI-generatedIsles of Scilly at a glance
- Best time
- May – Aug
- Warmest month
- Aug · 17°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 17.1°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,800 h
- Rain a year
- 826 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+0 / UTC+1
- Elevation
- 41 m
Climate in Isles of Scilly
Isles of Scilly has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. August is the warmest month with average highs of 17 °C, while February is the coolest at 10 °C. With around 1,800 hours of sunshine a year, Isles of Scilly is moderately sunny; June is the sunniest month with 7.8 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: May – August
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 13°
- Midday, 13:00: about 14°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 14°
- Evening, 20:00: about 14°
- Night, 23:00: about 13°
07:4518:37
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 07:25–08:29 · evening 17:52–18:57
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:13–07:25 · evening 18:57–19:09
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 Isles of Scilly in October?
In October, Isles of Scilly is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 14.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 95 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 40 km/h. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Isles of Scilly.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 10 h 52 min07:45 – 18:37
- UV index
- 2 · lowclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 40 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 71 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Time zone
- UTC+1Europe/London
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %0 %
- Seaweight 25 %0 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %15 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %27 %
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
- Windproof jacket
Sea temperature in Isles of Scilly
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 13.9 – 15.1 °C
Swimming season: Never above 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Isles of Scilly ranges from 10.1 °C in March to 17.1 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
From August to September and from November to April 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 16.3 and 18.0 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 10.8° | 10.1° | 11.3° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 10.3° | 9.8° | 10.7° | cold |
| MarchMar | 10.1° | 9.5° | 10.6° | cold |
| AprilApr | 10.7° | 10.1° | 11.3° | cold |
| MayMay | 12.2° | 11.4° | 13.1° | cold |
| JuneJun | 14.6° | 13.5° | 15.6° | cold |
| JulyJul | 16.5° | 15.5° | 17.6° | cold |
| AugustAug | 17.1° | 16.3° | 18.0° | fresh |
| SeptemberSep | 16.2° | 15.5° | 17.3° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 14.4° | 13.9° | 15.1° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 12.8° | 12.2° | 13.4° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 11.6° | 11.0° | 12.0° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Isles of Scilly
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 10.9 hours of daylight in Isles of Scilly, 36 % of the day.
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.
UV index in Isles of Scilly
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 60 min
- Fair skin
- about 75 min
- Light brown skin
- about 105 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 Isles of Scilly: 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, Isles of Scilly has about 14 rainy days with 95 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Isles of Scilly
How breezy and how cloudy Isles of Scilly 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 Isles of Scilly typically peaks at 40 km/h during the day: Beaufort 6, strong wind.
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 71 % of the sky over Isles of Scilly: 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.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Isles of Scilly
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
CoolOctober: nights around 13°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in February (8°), the warmest in August (16°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from July to September.
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 | 3 | 10° | 8° | 10.8° | 2.0 h | 16 | 90 |
| FebruaryFeb | 8 | 10° | 8° | 10.3° | 3.1 h | 13 | 71 |
| MarchMar | 13 | 10° | 8° | 10.1° | 4.4 h | 12 | 62 |
| AprilApr | 23 | 10° | 9° | 10.7° | 6.8 h | 11 | 53 |
| MayMay | 28 | 12° | 11° | 12.2° | 7.5 h | 9 | 49 |
| JuneJun | 29 | 15° | 14° | 14.6° | 7.8 h | 9 | 45 |
| JulyJul | 27 | 17° | 15° | 16.5° | 7.0 h | 9 | 50 |
| AugustAug | 25 | 17° | 16° | 17.1° | 6.6 h | 10 | 56 |
| SeptemberSep | 21 | 16° | 15° | 16.2° | 5.8 h | 10 | 59 |
| OctoberOct | 8 | 14° | 13° | 14.4° | 3.9 h | 14 | 95 |
| NovemberNov | 2 | 12° | 11° | 12.8° | 2.4 h | 16 | 101 |
| DecemberDec | 2 | 11° | 9° | 11.6° | 1.7 h | 17 | 96 |
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
49.93° N, 6.30° W · 41 m · Europe/London
Best time to visit Isles of Scilly
The best time to visit Isles of Scilly is from May to August. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in August it only reaches 17.1 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from July to September. Rain is most frequent from October to March; the wettest month is November with 101 mm.
Isles of Scilly through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Isles of Scilly in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- 10–12 °C by day
- Sea 11 °C
- 6 h of sun a day
- 32 rainy days in all
Isles of Scilly in summer
Jun – Aug
Poor
- 15–17 °C by day
- Sea 16 °C
- 7 h of sun a day
- 27 rainy days in all
Isles of Scilly in autumn
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 12–16 °C by day
- Sea 15 °C
- 4 h of sun a day
- 40 rainy days in all
Isles of Scilly in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 10–11 °C by day
- Sea 11 °C
- 2 h of sun a day
- 45 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Isles of Scilly for you.
Your best months: May – July
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Isles of Scilly
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 Isles of Scilly: score 29 against 8. In June, days are 1 °C warmer than in October. The sea is about as warm in both months. June has 5 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 4 hours longer a day in June.
| Month | October | June |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 8 | 29better |
| Day high | 14° | 15° |
| Night low | 13° | 14° |
| Sea | 14.4° | 14.6° |
| Sunshine | 3.9 h | 7.8 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 14 | 9better |
| Rainfall | 95 mm | 45 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
Jul – Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Oct – Mar
12 or more rainy days
Isles of Scilly month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
3January10° · Sea 11° · 2 h
In January, Isles of Scilly is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 10.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 90 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 45 km/h. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Isles of Scilly.
Isles of Scilly in January8February10° · Sea 10° · 3 h
In February, Isles of Scilly is cold: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 10.3 °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 71 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 44 km/h. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Isles of Scilly.
Isles of Scilly in February13March10° · Sea 10° · 4 h
In March, Isles of Scilly is cold: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 10.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 62 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 39 km/h. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Isles of Scilly.
Isles of Scilly in March23April10° · Sea 11° · 7 h
In April, Isles of Scilly is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 10.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 53 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 35 km/h. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Isles of Scilly.
Isles of Scilly in April28May12° · Sea 12° · 8 h
In May, Isles of Scilly is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 12.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 49 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 33 km/h. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Isles of Scilly.
Isles of Scilly in May29June15° · Sea 15° · 8 h
In June, Isles of Scilly is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 14.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 45 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 31 km/h. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Isles of Scilly.
Isles of Scilly in June27July17° · Sea 17° · 7 h
In July, Isles of Scilly is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 16.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 50 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 31 km/h. All in all, July is not an ideal month for a holiday in Isles of Scilly.
Isles of Scilly in July25August17° · Sea 17° · 7 h
In August, Isles of Scilly is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sea averages 17.1 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 56 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 32 km/h. All in all, August is not an ideal month for a holiday in Isles of Scilly.
Isles of Scilly in August21September16° · Sea 16° · 6 h
In September, Isles of Scilly is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 16.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 59 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 34 km/h. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Isles of Scilly.
Isles of Scilly in September8October14° · Sea 14° · 4 h
In October, Isles of Scilly is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 14.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 95 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 40 km/h. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Isles of Scilly.
Isles of Scilly in October2November12° · Sea 13° · 2 h
In November, Isles of Scilly is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 12.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 101 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 44 km/h. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Isles of Scilly.
Isles of Scilly in November2December11° · Sea 12° · 2 h
In December, Isles of Scilly is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 11.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. It rains often – on about 17 days, adding up to 96 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 46 km/h. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Isles of Scilly.
Isles of Scilly in DecemberIsles of Scilly compared
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Isles of Scilly vs. Penzance
In October the holiday weather in Isles of Scilly and Penzance is about equally good (score 8 vs. 7). During the day Penzance is 1 °C warmer than Isles of Scilly. The sea is about equally warm.
| in October | Isles of Scilly | Penzance |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 8 | 7 |
| Daytime high | 14° | 15° |
| Sea | 14° | 14° |
| Sunshine | 4 h | 4 h |
| Rainy days | 14 | 15 |
| Best time | May – Aug | Apr – Aug |
Through the year
United Kingdom in October: the best places
In October, Isles of Scilly ranks 26 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Winchester15°49
- 2Portsmouth15°16°49
- 3Glastonbury15°48
- 4Reading15°48
- 5Salisbury15°47
- 6Oxford14°47
- 7Southampton15°16°46
- 8Stratford-upon-Avon14°46
- 26Isles of ScillyThis page14°14°8
Planning a trip to Isles of Scilly
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Isles of Scilly 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.
Isles of Scilly has its best school-holiday weather during May half-term (score 28) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 3).
- 20
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 10 °C by day
- Sea 11 °C
- 6.1 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 28
May half-term
May – Jun
PoorBest holidays
- 13 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 7.6 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
- 26
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Poor
- 17 °C by day
- Sea 17 °C
- 6.7 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 8
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 14 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 3.9 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 3
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 10 °C by day
- Sea 11 °C
- 1.9 h of sun a day
- 16 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
- 450 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 Isles of Scilly
When is the best time to visit Isles of Scilly?
The best time to visit Isles of Scilly is from May to August. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Isles of Scilly?
The sea temperature in Isles of Scilly ranges from 10.1 °C in March to 17.1 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Isles of Scilly in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 14.4 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Isles of Scilly?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 17 °C and nights around 16 °C. February is the coolest month at 10 °C.
When does it rain most in Isles of Scilly?
Rain is most frequent from October to March; the wettest month is November with 101 mm. The driest month is June with 45 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Isles of Scilly get?
Isles of Scilly gets around 1,800 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is June with 7.8 hours a day; in December there are 1.7 hours a day.
What time zone is Isles of Scilly in?
Isles of Scilly uses the time zone Europe/London: UTC+0 in January and UTC+1 in July.
Which school holidays are best for Isles of Scilly?
Isles of Scilly has its best school-holiday weather during May half-term (score 28) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 3). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 20, May half-term 28, Summer holidays 26, October half-term 8, Christmas holidays 3.
Near Isles of Scilly
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Isles of Scilly
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Isles of Scilly's – good alternatives.