AI-generatedPensacola at a glance
- Best time
- Apr – May, Sep – Oct
- Warmest month
- Jul · 33°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 29.6°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,370 h
- Rain a year
- 1,453 mm
- Climate
- Subtropical
- Time zone
- UTC−6 / UTC−5
- Elevation
- 31 m
Climate in Pensacola
Pensacola has a subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters. July is the warmest month with average highs of 33 °C, while January is the coolest at 17 °C. With around 2,370 hours of sunshine a year, Pensacola is sunny; May is the sunniest month with 8.1 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Pensacola
The best time to visit Pensacola is from April to May and from September to October. In September and October, though, the hurricane season is at its peak: check the forecast before you go. For a beach holiday – sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry – go in May and in October. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from October to April. From July to August it can get very hot, with highs of up to 33 °C. Rain is frequent from June to August; the wettest month is August with 176 mm.
Pensacola through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Pensacola in spring
Mar – May
Good
- 22–30 °C by day
- Sea 21 °C
- 7.2 h of sun a day
- 28 rainy days in all
Pensacola in summer
Jun – Aug
Good
- 32–33 °C by day
- Sea 29 °C
- 7.2 h of sun a day
- 61 rainy days in all
Pensacola in autumn
Sep – Nov
Good
- 22–32 °C by day
- Sea 26 °C
- 6.4 h of sun a day
- 27 rainy days in all
Pensacola in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 17–19 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 5.2 h of sun a day
- 28 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
May, Oct
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Oct – Apr
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Peak heat
Jul – Aug
Highs of 33 °C or more
Rainy months
Jun – Aug
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Pensacola for you.
Your best months: May, October
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Excellent
Best time to visit: April – May, September – October
October is the peak of the hurricane season Hurricane season
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Good forBeach & swimmingSightseeing & walks
Keep in mindStorm season
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 19°
- Midday, 13:00: about 27°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 27°
- Evening, 20:00: about 22°
- Night, 23:00: about 20°
06:5018:19
Pleasant evenings; a light layer can help.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 06:35–07:22 · evening 17:47–18:34
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:26–06:35 · evening 18:34–18:43
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 Pensacola compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 29° at the start of the month to 25° at the end. The sea cools from 27° to 24°. The days get 0.9 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 29° | 25° |
| Night-time low | 19° | 14° |
| Sea | 27° | 24° |
| Daylight | 11.9 h | 11.0 h |
What is the weather like in Pensacola in October?
In October, Pensacola is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 25.9 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 82 mm. On about 6 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Pensacola.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 29 min06:50 – 18:19
- UV index
- 6 · highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 13 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 16 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 38 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 6 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC−5offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %100 %
- Seaweight 25 %100 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %62 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %79 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Swimwear
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- Light, breathable clothes
Compare two months in Pensacola
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
October and May bring similar holiday weather to Pensacola (score 88 and 88). In May, days are 2 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 1 °C cooler in May. May has 3 more rainy days. The sun shines an hour longer a day in May.
| Month | October | May |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 88 | 88 |
| Daytime high | 28° | 30° |
| Night-time low | 17° | 20° |
| Sea | 25.9° | 24.8° |
| Sunshine | 6.7 h | 8.1 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 7better | 10 |
| Rainfall | 82 mm | 91 mm |
| Muggy days | 13better | 21 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Pensacola month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
24January17° · Sea 18° · 5.2 h
In January, Pensacola is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 18.1 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 102 mm in total. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Pensacola.
Pensacola in January24February19° · Sea 17° · 5.4 h
In February, Pensacola is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 17.4 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 111 mm. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Pensacola.
Pensacola in February49March22° · Sea 19° · 6.4 h
In March, Pensacola is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 18.6 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 6.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 121 mm in total. All in all, March is a so-so month for a holiday in Pensacola.
Pensacola in March77April26° · Sea 21° · 7.2 h
In April, Pensacola is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 20.9 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 7.2 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 104 mm. All in all, April is a good month for a holiday in Pensacola.
Pensacola in April88May30° · Sea 25° · 8.1 h
In May, Pensacola is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sea averages 24.8 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.1 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 91 mm in total. On about 15 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, May is an excellent month for a holiday in Pensacola.
Pensacola in May70June32° · Sea 28° · 7.7 h
In June, Pensacola is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 27.9 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.7 hours a day. It rains often – on about 17 days, adding up to 141 mm. On about 27 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Pensacola.
Pensacola in June63July33° · Sea 29° · 7.4 h
In July, Pensacola is very hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 29.2 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 7.4 hours a day. It rains often – on about 22 days, adding up to 172 mm. On about 30 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Pensacola.
Pensacola in July62August33° · Sea 30° · 6.5 h
In August, Pensacola is very hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 29.6 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. It rains often – on about 22 days, adding up to 176 mm. On about 29 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Pensacola.
Pensacola in August75September32° · Sea 29° · 6.3 h
In September, Pensacola is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 28.7 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 6.3 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 145 mm in total. On about 24 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Pensacola.
Pensacola in September88October28° · Sea 26° · 6.7 h
In October, Pensacola is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 25.9 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 82 mm. On about 6 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Pensacola.
Pensacola in October64November22° · Sea 22° · 6.1 h
In November, Pensacola is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 22.3 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 6.1 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 86 mm. All in all, November is a good month for a holiday in Pensacola.
Pensacola in November29December19° · Sea 20° · 4.9 h
In December, Pensacola is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 20.0 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 4.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 123 mm in total. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Pensacola.
Pensacola 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 Pensacola
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°
- Warm 20–24°
- Hot 24° and more
- muggy month (15+ muggy days)
PleasantOctober: nights around 17°. Ideal for sleeping, often with the window open. Muggy on about 13 days (dew point 18 °C or more).
The coolest nights are in January (7°), the warmest in July (24°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from May to September; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) in April and in October. Nights fall below 8 °C on average in January, so the room should be heated. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 177 days a year, mostly from May 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 | 24 | 17° | 7° | 18.1° | 5.2 h | 9 | 102 |
| FebruaryFeb | 24 | 19° | 9° | 17.4° | 5.4 h | 9 | 111 |
| MarchMar | 49 | 22° | 12° | 18.6° | 6.4 h | 10 | 121 |
| AprilApr | 77 | 26° | 15° | 20.9° | 7.2 h | 8 | 104 |
| MayMay | 88 | 30° | 20° | 24.8° | 8.1 h | 10 | 91 |
| JuneJun | 70 | 32° | 23° | 27.9° | 7.7 h | 17 | 141 |
| JulyJul | 63 | 33° | 24° | 29.2° | 7.4 h | 22 | 172 |
| AugustAug | 62 | 33° | 24° | 29.6° | 6.5 h | 22 | 176 |
| SeptemberSep | 75 | 32° | 22° | 28.7° | 6.3 h | 13 | 145 |
| OctoberOct | 88 | 28° | 17° | 25.9° | 6.7 h | 7 | 82 |
| NovemberNov | 64 | 22° | 11° | 22.3° | 6.1 h | 7 | 86 |
| DecemberDec | 29 | 19° | 8° | 20.0° | 4.9 h | 10 | 123 |
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
30.42° N, 87.22° W · 31 m · America/Chicago
Sea temperature
Sea temperature in Pensacola
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 25.1 – 26.8 °C
Swimming season: Apr – Dec
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Pensacola ranges from 17.4 °C in February to 29.6 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from April to December.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in August, while the air already peaks in July. From December 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 28.9 and 30.4 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 18.1° | 16.5° | 19.5° | fresh |
| FebruaryFeb | 17.4° | 16.0° | 18.7° | fresh |
| MarchMar | 18.6° | 17.1° | 19.7° | fresh |
| AprilApr | 20.9° | 19.9° | 22.3° | refreshing |
| MayMay | 24.8° | 23.6° | 25.9° | pleasant |
| JuneJun | 27.9° | 27.0° | 28.9° | warm |
| JulyJul | 29.2° | 28.5° | 30.0° | very warm |
| AugustAug | 29.6° | 28.9° | 30.4° | very warm |
| SeptemberSep | 28.7° | 27.9° | 29.5° | warm |
| OctoberOct | 25.9° | 25.1° | 26.8° | pleasant |
| NovemberNov | 22.3° | 21.3° | 23.4° | refreshing |
| DecemberDec | 20.0° | 18.4° | 20.9° | refreshing |
Sunshine
Sunshine hours in Pensacola
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 6.7 of 11.5 hours of daylight in Pensacola, 58 % 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 Pensacola: 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, Pensacola has about 7 rainy days with 82 mm of rain in total.
UV index
UV index in Pensacola
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 6 · highSeek shade around midday; sunscreen SPF 30+, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 11).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 20 min
- Fair skin
- about 25 min
- Light brown skin
- about 35 min
- Olive skin
- about 45 min
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 Pensacola
How breezy and how cloudy Pensacola 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 Pensacola typically peaks at 16 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
The daily breeze rarely reaches Beaufort 4 (20 km/h), so wind sports depend on single windy days.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 38 % of the sky over Pensacola: mostly sunny, with about 6.7 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.
Heat & humidity
Heat and humidity in Pensacola
How often the day gets hot in Pensacola (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, Pensacola has about 6 hot days, with an average daytime high of 28 °C: some hot or muggy days. Single hot or muggy days are possible; a hat and water bottle are enough.
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
Planning a trip to Pensacola
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Pensacola 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.
Pensacola has its best school-holiday weather during October half-term (score 88) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 27).
- 69
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Good
- 25 °C by day
- Sea 20 °C
- 7.0 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 84
May half-term
May – Jun
Excellent
- 30 °C by day
- Sea 25 °C
- 8.0 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming
- 62
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Good
- 33 °C by day
- Sea 29 °C
- 6.8 h of sun a day
- 22 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat, Frequent rain, Storm season
- 88
October half-term
Oct
ExcellentBest holidays
- 28 °C by day
- Sea 26 °C
- 6.7 h of sun a day
- 7 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming, Sightseeing & walks
Keep in mind: Storm season
- 27
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 18 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 5.1 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 9 h 10 min
- Distance
- 7,200 km
- Time zone
- UTC−5
- Jet lag
- About 4 days (6 h west)
Rule of thumb for flying west: for a few days before, stay up a little later, and get afternoon and evening light at your destination.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Good to know: USA
- Currency
- US Dollar (USD)
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Sockets
- Type A, B · 120 V
- Traffic
- Drives on the right
- Dialling code
- +1
- Emergency number
- 911
UK plugs need a travel adapter
Only 120 V: chargers marked 100–240 V work, other devices need a voltage converter.
Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.
Storm season
Pensacola lies in an area that Atlantic hurricanes can reach. The hurricane season runs from June to November, with most storms from August to October. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June: Season
- July: Season
- August: Peak
- September: Peak
- October: Peak
- November: Season
- December
Official season dates of the regional warning centres (NOAA, JMA, IMD, Météo-France, BoM, Fiji Meteorological Service); not a forecast.
Compare & alternatives
Compare with another place
Pensacola compared
Put Pensacola side by side with another destination.
Pensacola vs Destin
In October the holiday weather in Pensacola and Destin is about equally good (score 88 vs 89). During the day Destin is 1 °C cooler than Pensacola. The sea is about equally warm.
| in October | Pensacola | Destin |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 88 | 89 |
| Daytime high | 28° | 27° |
| Sea | 26° | 26° |
| Sunshine | 7 h | 7 h |
| Rainy days | 7 | 6 |
| Best time | Apr – May, Sep – Oct | Apr – May, Sep – Oct |
Through the year
Best places in the country
USA in October: the best places
In October, Pensacola ranks 5 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Panama City Beach27°26°90
- 2Destin27°26°89
- 3Clearwater Beach28°27°89
- 4Sarasota30°27°89
- 5PensacolaThis page28°26°88
- 6Montgomery27°87
- 7Hilton Head Island26°24°87
- 8Mobile27°25°86
Places nearby
Near Pensacola
Other destinations close by.
Places with a similar climate
Places with a climate like Pensacola
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Pensacola's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Pensacola
When is the best time to visit Pensacola?
The best time to visit Pensacola is from April to May and from September to October. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Pensacola?
The sea temperature in Pensacola ranges from 17.4 °C in February to 29.6 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from April to December.
Can you swim in Pensacola in October?
Yes. In October the sea averages 25.9 °C – pleasant for swimming.
What is the warmest month in Pensacola?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C and nights around 24 °C. January is the coolest month at 17 °C.
When does it rain most in Pensacola?
Rain is frequent from June to August; the wettest month is August with 176 mm. The driest month is October with 82 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Pensacola get?
Pensacola gets around 2,370 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 8.1 hours a day; in December there are 4.9 hours a day.
What time zone is Pensacola in?
Pensacola is on UTC−6 in January and UTC−5 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Pensacola?
A nonstop flight from London to Pensacola takes about 9 h 10 min, for a straight-line distance of about 7,200 km.
When is hurricane season in Pensacola?
Pensacola lies in an area that Atlantic hurricanes can reach. The hurricane season runs from June to November, with most storms from August to October. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.
Which school holidays are best for Pensacola?
Pensacola has its best school-holiday weather during October half-term (score 88) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 27). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 69, May half-term 84, summer holidays 62, October half-term 88, Christmas holidays 27.