AI-generatedSouth Shields at a glance
- Best time
- May – Sep
- Warmest month
- Jul · 21°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 14.5°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,480 h
- Rain a year
- 682 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+0 / UTC+1
- Elevation
- 12 m
Climate in South Shields
South Shields has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. July is the warmest month with average highs of 21 °C, while January is the coolest at 8 °C. With around 1,480 hours of sunshine a year, South Shields is rather dull; May is the sunniest month with 6.5 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit South Shields
The best time to visit South Shields is from May to September. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in August it only reaches 14.5 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from May to June and in September. Rain is frequent from October to January; the wettest month is August with 68 mm.
South Shields through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
South Shields in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 10–16 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 5.2 h of sun a day
- 33 rainy days in all
South Shields in summer
Jun – Aug
Good
- 19–21 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 5.7 h of sun a day
- 37 rainy days in all
South Shields in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 10–18 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 3.2 h of sun a day
- 35 rainy days in all
South Shields in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 8 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 2.1 h of sun a day
- 37 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
May – Jun, Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Oct – Jan
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in South Shields 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
Fair
Best time to visit: May – September
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 8°
- Midday, 13:00: about 14°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 14°
- Evening, 20:00: about 11°
- Night, 23:00: about 10°
07:3318:10
Cold evenings: bring a warm jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 07:10–08:23 · evening 17:19–18:32
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:56–07:10 · evening 18:32–18:46
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 South Shields 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 12° at the end. The sea cools from 13° to 11°. The days get 2.1 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 16° | 12° |
| Night-time low | 9° | 6° |
| Sea | 13° | 11° |
| Daylight | 11.6 h | 9.5 h |
What is the weather like in South Shields in October?
In October, South Shields is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 11.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.1 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 66 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in South Shields.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 10 h 37 min07:33 – 18:10
- UV index
- 1 · 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
- 71 %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 50 %61 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %2 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %39 %
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
Compare two months in South Shields
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 South Shields: score 74 against 42. In June, days are 5 °C warmer than in October. The sea is about as warm in both months. June has 2 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 3 hours longer a day in June.
| Month | October | June |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 42 | 74better |
| Daytime high | 14° | 19° |
| Night-time low | 8° | 10° |
| Sea | 11.9° | 12.0° |
| Sunshine | 3.1 h | 5.9 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 13 | 11better |
| Rainfall | 66 mm | 60 mm |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
South Shields month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
12January8° · Sea 8° · 1.8 h
In January, South Shields is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sea averages 7.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 1.8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 55 mm in total. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in South Shields.
South Shields in January15February8° · Sea 7° · 2.8 h
In February, South Shields is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sea averages 6.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2.8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 48 mm in total. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in South Shields.
South Shields in February29March10° · Sea 7° · 3.7 h
In March, South Shields is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 6.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 44 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in South Shields.
South Shields in March47April13° · Sea 8° · 5.3 h
In April, South Shields is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 7.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.3 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 46 mm in total. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in South Shields.
South Shields in April64May16° · Sea 10° · 6.5 h
In May, South Shields is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 9.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 49 mm in total. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in South Shields.
South Shields in May74June19° · Sea 12° · 5.9 h
In June, South Shields is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 12.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 60 mm in total. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in South Shields.
South Shields in June71July21° · Sea 14° · 5.9 h
In July, South Shields is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 14.0 °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 68 mm in total. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in South Shields.
South Shields in July70August21° · Sea 15° · 5.4 h
In August, South Shields is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 14.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 68 mm in total. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in South Shields.
South Shields in August71September18° · Sea 13° · 4.3 h
In September, South Shields is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 13.4 °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 51 mm in total. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in South Shields.
South Shields in September42October14° · Sea 12° · 3.1 h
In October, South Shields is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 11.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.1 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 66 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in South Shields.
South Shields in October23November10° · Sea 11° · 2.2 h
In November, South Shields is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 10.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2.2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 64 mm in total. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in South Shields.
South Shields in November11December8° · Sea 9° · 1.6 h
In December, South Shields is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 8.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 1.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 63 mm in total. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in South Shields.
South Shields in DecemberClimate in detail
Year & climate tableWarmest in July: 21°
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in South Shields
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 8°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in January (2°), the warmest in July (12°). Nights fall below 8 °C on average from November to May, 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 | 12 | 8° | 2° | 7.5° | 1.8 h | 12 | 55 |
| FebruaryFeb | 15 | 8° | 2° | 6.6° | 2.8 h | 11 | 48 |
| MarchMar | 29 | 10° | 3° | 6.6° | 3.7 h | 11 | 44 |
| AprilApr | 47 | 13° | 5° | 7.5° | 5.3 h | 11 | 46 |
| MayMay | 64 | 16° | 7° | 9.6° | 6.5 h | 12 | 49 |
| JuneJun | 74 | 19° | 10° | 12.0° | 5.9 h | 11 | 60 |
| JulyJul | 71 | 21° | 12° | 14.0° | 5.9 h | 13 | 68 |
| AugustAug | 70 | 21° | 12° | 14.5° | 5.4 h | 13 | 68 |
| SeptemberSep | 71 | 18° | 10° | 13.4° | 4.3 h | 10 | 51 |
| OctoberOct | 42 | 14° | 8° | 11.9° | 3.1 h | 13 | 66 |
| NovemberNov | 23 | 10° | 5° | 10.5° | 2.2 h | 13 | 64 |
| DecemberDec | 11 | 8° | 3° | 8.9° | 1.6 h | 13 | 63 |
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
55.00° N, 1.43° W · 12 m · Europe/London
Sea temperatureUp to 15° in August
Sea temperature in South Shields
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 11.5 – 12.4 °C
Swimming season: Always below 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in South Shields ranges from 6.6 °C in February to 14.5 °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 December 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 13.8 and 15.4 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 7.5° | 7.0° | 8.2° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 6.6° | 6.0° | 7.2° | cold |
| MarchMar | 6.6° | 5.9° | 7.3° | cold |
| AprilApr | 7.5° | 6.7° | 8.2° | cold |
| MayMay | 9.6° | 8.8° | 10.4° | cold |
| JuneJun | 12.0° | 10.9° | 12.7° | cold |
| JulyJul | 14.0° | 13.2° | 15.2° | cold |
| AugustAug | 14.5° | 13.8° | 15.4° | cold |
| SeptemberSep | 13.4° | 12.8° | 14.3° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 11.9° | 11.5° | 12.4° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 10.5° | 9.8° | 11.0° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 8.9° | 8.2° | 9.3° | cold |
Sunshine1,480 hours a year
Sunshine hours in South Shields
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 10.6 hours of daylight in South Shields, 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.
Rain682 mm a year, most in August
Rain in South Shields: 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, South Shields has about 13 rainy days with 66 mm of rain in total.
UV indexUp to 7 in June
UV index in South Shields
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 1 · lowLittle protection needed; sunglasses on bright days.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 7).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 95 min
- Fair skin
- about 115 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 & cloudsWindiest in February: 27 km/h
Wind and clouds in South Shields
How breezy and how cloudy South Shields 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 South Shields 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 71 % of the sky over South Shields: 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 South Shields
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
South Shields 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.
South Shields has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 70) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 12).
- 42
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Fair
- 12 °C by day
- Sea 7 °C
- 4.8 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
- 66
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 16 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 6.4 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 70
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
GoodBest holidays
- 21 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 5.6 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
- 42
October half-term
Oct
Fair
- 14 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 3.1 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 12
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 8 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 1.7 h of sun a day
- 13 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
- 400 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
South Shields compared
Put South Shields side by side with another destination.
South Shields vs Wallsend
In October the holiday weather in South Shields and Wallsend is about equally good (score 42 vs 41). During the day it is about as warm in Wallsend as in South Shields. The sea is about equally warm.
| in October | South Shields | Wallsend |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 42 | 41 |
| Daytime high | 14° | 14° |
| Sea | 12° | 12° |
| Sunshine | 3 h | 3 h |
| Rainy days | 13 | 13 |
| Best time | May – Sep | May – Sep |
Through the year
Best places in the country
United Kingdom in October: the best places
In October, South Shields ranks 4 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Kingston upon Hull14°13°46
- 2York14°45
- 3Wakefield14°44
- 4South ShieldsThis page14°12°42
- 5Sunderland14°12°42
- 6Whitby14°12°42
- 7Leeds14°42
- 8Wallsend14°12°41
Places nearby4 places within 26 km
Near South Shields
Other destinations close by.
Places with a similar climatee.g. Perth, Scotland and Kirkcaldy
Places with a climate like South Shields
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to South Shields's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about South Shields
When is the best time to visit South Shields?
The best time to visit South Shields is from May to September. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in South Shields?
The sea temperature in South Shields ranges from 6.6 °C in February to 14.5 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in South Shields in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 11.9 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in South Shields?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 21 °C and nights around 12 °C. January is the coolest month at 8 °C.
When does it rain most in South Shields?
Rain is frequent from October to January; the wettest month is August with 68 mm. The driest month is March with 44 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does South Shields get?
South Shields gets around 1,480 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 6.5 hours a day; in December there are 1.6 hours a day.
What time zone is South Shields in?
South Shields is on UTC+0 in January and UTC+1 in July.
Which school holidays are best for South Shields?
South Shields has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 70) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 12). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 42, May half-term 66, summer holidays 70, October half-term 42, Christmas holidays 12.