AI-generatedSkibbereen at a glance
- Best time
- Jul
- Warmest month
- Jul · 20°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 16.2°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,400 h
- Rain a year
- 1,151 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+0 / UTC+1
- Elevation
- 5 m
Climate in Skibbereen
Skibbereen has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. July is the warmest month with average highs of 20 °C, while January is the coolest at 10 °C. With around 1,400 hours of sunshine a year, Skibbereen is rather dull; May is the sunniest month with 5.9 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Skibbereen
The best time to visit Skibbereen is in July. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in August it only reaches 16.2 °C. The wettest month is October with 127 mm of precipitation.
Skibbereen through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Skibbereen in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- 12–16 °C by day
- Sea 11 °C
- 4.9 h of sun a day
- 40 rainy days in all
Skibbereen in summer
Jun – Aug
Poor
- 19–20 °C by day
- Sea 15 °C
- 5.2 h of sun a day
- 39 rainy days in all
Skibbereen in autumn
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 12–18 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 3.2 h of sun a day
- 42 rainy days in all
Skibbereen in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 10 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 2.0 h of sun a day
- 44 rainy days in all
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
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Skibbereen for you.
Your best months: June – 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
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
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°
07:5918:46
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 07:38–08:45 · evening 18:00–19:07
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:25–07:38 · evening 19:07–19:20
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 Skibbereen compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 16° at the start of the month to 13° at the end. The sea cools from 15° to 13°. The days get 1.9 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 16° | 13° |
| Night-time low | 10° | 7° |
| Sea | 15° | 13° |
| Daylight | 11.7 h | 9.8 h |
What is the weather like in Skibbereen in October?
In October, Skibbereen is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 14.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.1 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 127 mm. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Skibbereen.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 10 h 47 min07:59 – 18:46
- 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
- 76 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Time zone
- UTC+1offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %0 %
- Seaweight 25 %0 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %2 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %19 %
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 Skibbereen
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 Skibbereen: score 21 against 4. In July, days are 5 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 2 °C warmer in July. July has 2 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in July.
| Month | October | July |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 4 | 21better |
| Daytime high | 15° | 20° |
| Night-time low | 9° | 12° |
| Sea | 14.0° | 15.8° |
| Sunshine | 3.1 h | 4.9 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 15 | 13better |
| Rainfall | 127 mm | 77 mmbetter |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Skibbereen month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
4January10° · Sea 10° · 1.8 h
In January, Skibbereen is cold: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 10.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 1.8 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 111 mm. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Skibbereen.
Skibbereen in January7February10° · Sea 10° · 2.5 h
In February, Skibbereen is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 9.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 96 mm in total. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Skibbereen.
Skibbereen in February8March12° · Sea 10° · 3.5 h
In March, Skibbereen is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 9.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 89 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Skibbereen.
Skibbereen in March16April14° · Sea 10° · 5.3 h
In April, Skibbereen is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 10.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.3 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 82 mm in total. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Skibbereen.
Skibbereen in April15May16° · Sea 12° · 5.9 h
In May, Skibbereen is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 12.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 81 mm. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Skibbereen.
Skibbereen in May17June19° · Sea 14° · 5.9 h
In June, Skibbereen is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 14.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 80 mm in total. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Skibbereen.
Skibbereen in June21July20° · Sea 16° · 4.9 h
In July, Skibbereen is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 15.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 77 mm in total. All in all, July is not an ideal month for a holiday in Skibbereen – and yet one of the best months here.
Skibbereen in July17August20° · Sea 16° · 4.8 h
In August, Skibbereen is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 16.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.8 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 90 mm in total. All in all, August is not an ideal month for a holiday in Skibbereen.
Skibbereen in August12September18° · Sea 16° · 4.2 h
In September, Skibbereen is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 15.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 87 mm in total. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Skibbereen.
Skibbereen in September4October15° · Sea 14° · 3.1 h
In October, Skibbereen is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 14.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.1 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 127 mm. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Skibbereen.
Skibbereen in October5November12° · Sea 12° · 2.3 h
In November, Skibbereen is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 12.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2.3 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 111 mm. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Skibbereen.
Skibbereen in November4December10° · Sea 11° · 1.7 h
In December, Skibbereen is cool: daytime highs average 10 °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 1.7 hours a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 121 mm. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Skibbereen.
Skibbereen in DecemberClimate in detail
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Skibbereen
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 January (4°), the warmest in July (12°). 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 | 4 | 10° | 4° | 10.0° | 1.8 h | 15 | 111 |
| FebruaryFeb | 7 | 10° | 4° | 9.7° | 2.5 h | 13 | 96 |
| MarchMar | 8 | 12° | 5° | 9.7° | 3.5 h | 13 | 89 |
| AprilApr | 16 | 14° | 6° | 10.3° | 5.3 h | 12 | 82 |
| MayMay | 15 | 16° | 8° | 12.0° | 5.9 h | 14 | 81 |
| JuneJun | 17 | 19° | 11° | 14.3° | 5.9 h | 13 | 80 |
| JulyJul | 21 | 20° | 12° | 15.8° | 4.9 h | 13 | 77 |
| AugustAug | 17 | 20° | 12° | 16.2° | 4.8 h | 14 | 90 |
| SeptemberSep | 12 | 18° | 11° | 15.6° | 4.2 h | 12 | 87 |
| OctoberOct | 4 | 15° | 9° | 14.0° | 3.1 h | 15 | 127 |
| NovemberNov | 5 | 12° | 6° | 12.1° | 2.3 h | 15 | 111 |
| DecemberDec | 4 | 10° | 5° | 10.7° | 1.7 h | 16 | 121 |
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
51.55° N, 9.27° W · 5 m · Europe/Dublin
Sea temperature in Skibbereen
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 12.9 – 14.8 °C
Swimming season: Always below 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Skibbereen ranges from 9.7 °C in February to 16.2 °C in August. 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 August, while the air already peaks in July. From November 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 15.3 and 17.1 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 10.0° | 9.2° | 10.5° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 9.7° | 9.2° | 10.3° | cold |
| MarchMar | 9.7° | 8.9° | 10.2° | cold |
| AprilApr | 10.3° | 9.8° | 10.9° | cold |
| MayMay | 12.0° | 11.0° | 12.9° | cold |
| JuneJun | 14.3° | 13.2° | 15.6° | cold |
| JulyJul | 15.8° | 14.6° | 17.3° | cold |
| AugustAug | 16.2° | 15.3° | 17.1° | cold |
| SeptemberSep | 15.6° | 14.6° | 16.6° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 14.0° | 12.9° | 14.8° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 12.1° | 11.2° | 12.8° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 10.7° | 10.1° | 11.1° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Skibbereen
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 3.1 of 10.8 hours of daylight in Skibbereen, 29 % 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 in Skibbereen: 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, Skibbereen has about 15 rainy days with 127 mm of rain in total.
UV index in Skibbereen
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 7).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 70 min
- Fair skin
- about 85 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 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 and clouds in Skibbereen
How breezy and how cloudy Skibbereen 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 Skibbereen 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 76 % of the sky over Skibbereen: mostly cloudy, with about 3.1 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 Skibbereen
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Skibbereen 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.
Skibbereen has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 18) and its weakest during October half-term (score 4).
- 14
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 13 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 4.8 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 15
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 17 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 5.9 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 18
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
PoorBest holidays
- 20 °C by day
- Sea 16 °C
- 4.8 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 4
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 15 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 3.1 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 4
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 10 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 1.8 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 15 min
- Distance
- 610 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.
Compare & alternatives
Skibbereen compared
Put Skibbereen side by side with another destination.
Skibbereen vs Bantry
In October the holiday weather in Skibbereen and Bantry is about equally good (score 4 vs 1). During the day it is about as warm in Bantry as in Skibbereen. The sea is about equally warm.
| in October | Skibbereen | Bantry |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 4 | 1 |
| Daytime high | 15° | 15° |
| Sea | 14° | 14° |
| Sunshine | 3 h | 3 h |
| Rainy days | 15 | 17 |
| Best time | Jul | May – Sep |
Through the year
Ireland in October: the best places
In October, Skibbereen ranks 29 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Enniscorthy14°48
- 2Clonmel15°47
- 3New Ross14°45
- 4Dungarvan15°14°44
- 5Tramore14°14°44
- 6Wexford15°14°44
- 7Kilkenny14°43
- 8Bantry15°14°42
- 29SkibbereenThis page15°14°4
Near Skibbereen
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Skibbereen
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Skibbereen's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Skibbereen
When is the best time to visit Skibbereen?
The best time to visit Skibbereen is in July. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Skibbereen?
The sea temperature in Skibbereen ranges from 9.7 °C in February to 16.2 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Skibbereen in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 14.0 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Skibbereen?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 20 °C and nights around 12 °C. January is the coolest month at 10 °C.
When does it rain most in Skibbereen?
The wettest month is October with 127 mm of precipitation. The driest month is July with 77 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Skibbereen get?
Skibbereen gets around 1,400 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 5.9 hours a day; in December there are 1.7 hours a day.
What time zone is Skibbereen in?
Skibbereen is on UTC+0 in January and UTC+1 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Skibbereen?
A nonstop flight from London to Skibbereen takes about 1 h 15 min, for a straight-line distance of about 610 km.
Which school holidays are best for Skibbereen?
Skibbereen has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 18) and its weakest during October half-term (score 4). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 14, May half-term 15, summer holidays 18, October half-term 4, Christmas holidays 4.