AI-generatedSouthwold at a glance
- Best time
- Aug
- Warmest month
- Aug · 21°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 17.9°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,820 h
- Rain a year
- 662 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+0 / UTC+1
- Elevation
- 12 m
Climate in Southwold
Southwold has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. August is the warmest month with average highs of 21 °C, while January is the coolest at 8 °C. With around 1,820 hours of sunshine a year, Southwold is moderately sunny; May is the sunniest month with 7.5 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Southwold
The best time to visit Southwold is in August. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in August it only reaches 17.9 °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 72 mm.
Southwold through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Southwold in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- 9–15 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 6.2 h of sun a day
- 30 rainy days in all
Southwold in summer
Jun – Aug
Poor
- 18–21 °C by day
- Sea 16 °C
- 7.3 h of sun a day
- 33 rainy days in all
Southwold in autumn
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 11–19 °C by day
- Sea 15 °C
- 4.0 h of sun a day
- 35 rainy days in all
Southwold in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 8 °C by day
- Sea 7 °C
- 2.4 h of sun a day
- 34 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 Southwold 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: August
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 11°
- Midday, 13:00: about 15°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 15°
- Evening, 20:00: about 12°
- Night, 23:00: about 11°
07:1618:01
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 06:55–08:03 · evening 17:15–18:22
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:42–06:55 · evening 18:22–18:36
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 Southwold compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 17° at the start of the month to 13° at the end. The sea cools from 16° to 13°. The days get 1.9 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 17° | 13° |
| Night-time low | 11° | 8° |
| Sea | 16° | 13° |
| Daylight | 11.7 h | 9.8 h |
What is the weather like in Southwold in October?
In October, Southwold is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 15.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 72 mm in total. It is often windy: on a typical day the wind peaks at around 28 km/h. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Southwold.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 10 h 45 min07:16 – 18:01
- UV index
- 2 · lowclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 28 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 %37 %
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
Compare two months in Southwold
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 Southwold: score 40 against 10. In August, days are 6 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 3 °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 | 10 | 40better |
| Daytime high | 15° | 21° |
| Night-time low | 10° | 15° |
| Sea | 15.0° | 17.9° |
| Sunshine | 3.9 h | 7.0 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 13 | 11better |
| Rainfall | 72 mm | 64 mm |
| Muggy days | 0better | 1 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Southwold month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
9January8° · Sea 7° · 2.2 h
In January, Southwold is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 7.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2.2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 54 mm in total. It is often windy: on a typical day the wind peaks at around 30 km/h. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Southwold.
Southwold in January11February8° · Sea 6° · 3.1 h
In February, Southwold is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 6.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.1 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 49 mm in total. It is often windy: on a typical day the wind peaks at around 30 km/h. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Southwold.
Southwold in February16March9° · Sea 6° · 4.5 h
In March, Southwold is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 6.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 42 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Southwold.
Southwold in March25April12° · Sea 8° · 6.6 h
In April, Southwold is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 7.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 37 mm in total. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Southwold.
Southwold in April26May15° · Sea 10° · 7.5 h
In May, Southwold is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 10.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 51 mm in total. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Southwold.
Southwold in May26June18° · Sea 14° · 7.4 h
In June, Southwold is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 13.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 53 mm in total. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Southwold.
Southwold in June34July21° · Sea 16° · 7.5 h
In July, Southwold is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 16.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 60 mm in total. All in all, July is not an ideal month for a holiday in Southwold.
Southwold in July40August21° · Sea 18° · 7.0 h
In August, Southwold is warm: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 17.9 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7.0 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 64 mm in total. All in all, August is a so-so month for a holiday in Southwold – and yet one of the best months here.
Southwold in August21September19° · Sea 17° · 5.5 h
In September, Southwold is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 17.2 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 52 mm in total. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Southwold.
Southwold in September10October15° · Sea 15° · 3.9 h
In October, Southwold is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 15.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 72 mm in total. It is often windy: on a typical day the wind peaks at around 28 km/h. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Southwold.
Southwold in October8November11° · Sea 12° · 2.6 h
In November, Southwold is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 12.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 68 mm in total. It is often windy: on a typical day the wind peaks at around 30 km/h. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Southwold.
Southwold in November8December8° · Sea 9° · 1.9 h
In December, Southwold is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 9.0 °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 61 mm in total. It is often windy: on a typical day the wind peaks at around 30 km/h. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Southwold.
Southwold in DecemberClimate in detail
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Southwold
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°
CoolOctober: nights around 10°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in February (3°), the warmest in August (15°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) in August. 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° | 7.2° | 2.2 h | 12 | 54 |
| FebruaryFeb | 11 | 8° | 3° | 6.1° | 3.1 h | 11 | 49 |
| MarchMar | 16 | 9° | 4° | 6.3° | 4.5 h | 10 | 42 |
| AprilApr | 25 | 12° | 6° | 7.9° | 6.6 h | 9 | 37 |
| MayMay | 26 | 15° | 9° | 10.4° | 7.5 h | 10 | 51 |
| JuneJun | 26 | 18° | 12° | 13.5° | 7.4 h | 10 | 53 |
| JulyJul | 34 | 21° | 14° | 16.2° | 7.5 h | 12 | 60 |
| AugustAug | 40 | 21° | 15° | 17.9° | 7.0 h | 11 | 64 |
| SeptemberSep | 21 | 19° | 13° | 17.2° | 5.5 h | 10 | 52 |
| OctoberOct | 10 | 15° | 10° | 15.0° | 3.9 h | 13 | 72 |
| NovemberNov | 8 | 11° | 7° | 12.0° | 2.6 h | 12 | 68 |
| DecemberDec | 8 | 8° | 4° | 9.0° | 1.9 h | 12 | 61 |
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
52.33° N, 1.68° E · 12 m · Europe/London
Sea temperature in Southwold
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 14.1 – 16.0 °C
Swimming season: Always below 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Southwold ranges from 6.1 °C in February to 17.9 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
From October 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 16.9 and 18.9 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 7.2° | 6.2° | 8.5° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 6.1° | 5.1° | 7.6° | cold |
| MarchMar | 6.3° | 4.8° | 7.5° | cold |
| AprilApr | 7.9° | 6.7° | 8.9° | cold |
| MayMay | 10.4° | 9.5° | 11.3° | cold |
| JuneJun | 13.5° | 12.5° | 14.3° | cold |
| JulyJul | 16.2° | 14.9° | 17.2° | cold |
| AugustAug | 17.9° | 16.9° | 18.9° | fresh |
| SeptemberSep | 17.2° | 16.3° | 18.0° | fresh |
| OctoberOct | 15.0° | 14.1° | 16.0° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 12.0° | 11.0° | 13.1° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 9.0° | 7.9° | 9.9° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Southwold
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 10.7 hours of daylight in Southwold, 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 in Southwold: 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, Southwold has about 13 rainy days with 72 mm of rain in total.
UV index in Southwold
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 75 min
- Fair skin
- about 95 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 Southwold
How breezy and how cloudy Southwold 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 Southwold typically peaks at 28 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 Southwold: 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 Southwold
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Southwold 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.
Southwold has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 38) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 9).
- 22
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 11 °C by day
- Sea 7 °C
- 6.0 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
- 26
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 16 °C by day
- Sea 11 °C
- 7.5 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 38
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
PoorBest holidays
- 21 °C by day
- Sea 17 °C
- 7.2 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 10
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 15 °C by day
- Sea 15 °C
- 3.9 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 9
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 8 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 2.1 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
- 170 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
Southwold compared
Put Southwold side by side with another destination.
Southwold vs Lowestoft
In October the holiday weather in Southwold and Lowestoft is about equally good (score 10 vs 10). During the day it is about as warm in Lowestoft as in Southwold. The sea is about equally warm.
| in October | Southwold | Lowestoft |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 10 | 10 |
| Daytime high | 15° | 15° |
| Sea | 15° | 15° |
| Sunshine | 4 h | 4 h |
| Rainy days | 13 | 13 |
| Best time | Aug | Aug |
Through the year
United Kingdom in October: the best places
In October, Southwold ranks 27 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Chelmsford15°53
- 2Cambridge15°53
- 3Canterbury16°53
- 4Bedford15°53
- 5Ely15°52
- 6Norwich15°51
- 7Bury St Edmunds15°51
- 8Peterborough15°51
- 27SouthwoldThis page15°15°10
Near Southwold
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Southwold
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Southwold's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Southwold
When is the best time to visit Southwold?
The best time to visit Southwold is in August. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Southwold?
The sea temperature in Southwold ranges from 6.1 °C in February to 17.9 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Southwold in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 15.0 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Southwold?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 21 °C and nights around 15 °C. January is the coolest month at 8 °C.
When does it rain most in Southwold?
Rain is frequent from October to December; the wettest month is October with 72 mm. The driest month is April with 37 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Southwold get?
Southwold gets around 1,820 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 7.5 hours a day; in December there are 1.9 hours a day.
What time zone is Southwold in?
Southwold is on UTC+0 in January and UTC+1 in July.
Which school holidays are best for Southwold?
Southwold has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 38) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 9). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 22, May half-term 26, summer holidays 38, October half-term 10, Christmas holidays 9.