AI-generatedSt. Andrews at a glance
- Best time
- May – Sep
- Warmest month
- Jul · 24°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 13.2°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,020 h
- Rain a year
- 1,154 mm
- Climate
- Continental
- Time zone
- UTC−4 / UTC−3
- Elevation
- 9 m
Climate in St. Andrews
St. Andrews has mild to warm summers and cold winters with occasional snow. July is the warmest month with average highs of 24 °C, while January is the coolest at −1 °C. With around 2,020 hours of sunshine a year, St. Andrews is moderately sunny; July is the sunniest month with 6.9 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit St. Andrews
The best time to visit St. Andrews is from May to September. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in August it only reaches 13.2 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from May to September. The wettest month is December with 123 mm of precipitation.
St. Andrews through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
St. Andrews in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 4–16 °C by day
- Sea 5 °C
- 6.1 h of sun a day
- 34 rainy days in all
St. Andrews in summer
Jun – Aug
Excellent
- 21–24 °C by day
- Sea 11 °C
- 6.8 h of sun a day
- 30 rainy days in all
St. Andrews in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 8–20 °C by day
- Sea 11 °C
- 5.0 h of sun a day
- 28 rainy days in all
St. Andrews in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- −1–3 °C by day
- Sea 6 °C
- 4.2 h of sun a day
- 32 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
Snow
Dec – Apr
Snow on 2 or more days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in St. Andrews 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
Fair
Best time to visit: May – September
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 6°
- Midday, 13:00: about 13°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 14°
- Evening, 20:00: about 10°
- Night, 23:00: about 9°
07:4218:45
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 07:24–08:22 · evening 18:05–19:03
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:13–07:24 · evening 19:03–19:15
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 St. Andrews 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 11° at the end. The sea cools from 12° to 11°. The days get 1.5 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 17° | 11° |
| Night-time low | 8° | 3° |
| Sea | 12° | 11° |
| Daylight | 11.8 h | 10.3 h |
What is the weather like in St. Andrews in October?
In October, St. Andrews is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 11.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 116 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in St. Andrews.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 3 min07:42 – 18:45
- UV index
- 3 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 21 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 59 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Snow days
- 0 days1 cm or more of fresh snowAll months
- Time zone
- UTC−3offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %66 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %32 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %59 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Nature escape”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Compare two months in St. Andrews
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 St. Andrews: score 82 against 57. In August, days are 10 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 2 °C warmer in August. August has one rainy day fewer. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in August.
| Month | October | August |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 57 | 82better |
| Daytime high | 14° | 24° |
| Night-time low | 6° | 13° |
| Sea | 11.6° | 13.2° |
| Sunshine | 4.9 h | 6.7 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 10 | 9better |
| Rainfall | 116 mm | 80 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 0better | 5 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
St. Andrews month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
19January−1° · Sea 6° · 4.1 h
In January, St. Andrews is bitterly cold: daytime highs average −1 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−9 °C). The sea averages 5.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.1 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation falls on about 11 days, totalling 100 mm; on about 7 of them it snows. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in St. Andrews.
St. Andrews in January25February0° · Sea 4° · 5.0 h
In February, St. Andrews is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 0 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−8 °C). The sea averages 3.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.0 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation falls on about 10 days, totalling 85 mm; on about 6 of them it snows. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in St. Andrews.
St. Andrews in February23March4° · Sea 3° · 5.6 h
In March, St. Andrews is cold: daytime highs average 4 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−4 °C). The sea averages 3.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 102 mm in total. Snow falls on about 5 days. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in St. Andrews.
St. Andrews in March36April10° · Sea 4° · 6.1 h
In April, St. Andrews is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sea averages 4.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.1 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 94 mm in total. Snow falls on about 3 days. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in St. Andrews.
St. Andrews in April72May16° · Sea 6° · 6.7 h
In May, St. Andrews is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 6.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 86 mm in total. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in St. Andrews.
St. Andrews in May78June21° · Sea 9° · 6.8 h
In June, St. Andrews is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 9.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 89 mm in total. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in St. Andrews.
St. Andrews in June79July24° · Sea 12° · 6.9 h
In July, St. Andrews is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 11.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 80 mm in total. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in St. Andrews.
St. Andrews in July82August24° · Sea 13° · 6.7 h
In August, St. Andrews is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 13.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 80 mm. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in St. Andrews.
St. Andrews in August81September20° · Sea 13° · 6.2 h
In September, St. Andrews is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 12.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 96 mm. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in St. Andrews.
St. Andrews in September57October14° · Sea 12° · 4.9 h
In October, St. Andrews is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 11.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 116 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in St. Andrews.
St. Andrews in October22November8° · Sea 10° · 3.9 h
In November, St. Andrews is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 1 °C. The sea averages 9.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 106 mm in total. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in St. Andrews.
St. Andrews in November15December3° · Sea 8° · 3.5 h
In December, St. Andrews is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 3 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−5 °C). The sea averages 7.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.5 hours a day. Precipitation falls on about 12 days, totalling 123 mm; on about 5 of them it snows. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in St. Andrews.
St. Andrews in DecemberClimate in detail
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in St. Andrews
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Frost below 0°
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
ColdOctober: nights around 6°. The room should be heated.
The coolest nights are in January (−9°), the warmest in August (13°). Nights fall below 8 °C on average from October 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 | 19 | −1° | −9° | 5.5° | 4.1 h | 11 | 100 |
| FebruaryFeb | 25 | 0° | −8° | 3.8° | 5.0 h | 10 | 85 |
| MarchMar | 23 | 4° | −4° | 3.2° | 5.6 h | 11 | 102 |
| AprilApr | 36 | 10° | 2° | 4.2° | 6.1 h | 12 | 94 |
| MayMay | 72 | 16° | 6° | 6.4° | 6.7 h | 11 | 86 |
| JuneJun | 78 | 21° | 10° | 9.2° | 6.8 h | 11 | 89 |
| JulyJul | 79 | 24° | 13° | 11.9° | 6.9 h | 11 | 80 |
| AugustAug | 82 | 24° | 13° | 13.2° | 6.7 h | 9 | 80 |
| SeptemberSep | 81 | 20° | 11° | 12.8° | 6.2 h | 9 | 96 |
| OctoberOct | 57 | 14° | 6° | 11.6° | 4.9 h | 10 | 116 |
| NovemberNov | 22 | 8° | 1° | 9.9° | 3.9 h | 10 | 106 |
| DecemberDec | 15 | 3° | −5° | 7.8° | 3.5 h | 12 | 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
45.07° N, 67.05° W · 9 m · America/Moncton
Sea temperature in St. Andrews
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 10.7 – 12.6 °C
Swimming season: Always below 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in St. Andrews ranges from 3.2 °C in March to 13.2 °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 February 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 12.0 and 14.1 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 5.5° | 4.1° | 6.8° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 3.8° | 2.5° | 5.0° | cold |
| MarchMar | 3.2° | 2.2° | 4.2° | cold |
| AprilApr | 4.2° | 3.1° | 5.2° | cold |
| MayMay | 6.4° | 5.3° | 7.6° | cold |
| JuneJun | 9.2° | 7.8° | 10.2° | cold |
| JulyJul | 11.9° | 10.4° | 13.2° | cold |
| AugustAug | 13.2° | 12.0° | 14.1° | cold |
| SeptemberSep | 12.8° | 11.6° | 14.0° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 11.6° | 10.7° | 12.6° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 9.9° | 8.8° | 11.0° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 7.8° | 6.6° | 9.0° | cold |
Sunshine hours in St. Andrews
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 4.9 of 11.1 hours of daylight in St. Andrews, 44 % 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 St. Andrews: 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, St. Andrews has about 10 rainy days with 116 mm of rain in total.
UV index in St. Andrews
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 3 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 9).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 45 min
- Fair skin
- about 55 min
- Light brown skin
- about 75 min
- Olive skin
- about 100 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 and clouds in St. Andrews
How breezy and how cloudy St. Andrews 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 St. Andrews typically peaks at 21 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: Oct – Apr.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 59 % of the sky over St. Andrews: variable cloud, with about 4.9 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.
Heat and humidity in St. Andrews
How often the day gets hot in St. Andrews (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, St. Andrews has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 14 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
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
Snow in St. Andrews
When St. Andrews is likely to be white: the chance of seeing snow during a week's stay, the days with fresh snow and how much falls. Tap a month to select it.
Snow calendar
- hardly any
- possible
- likely
- very likely
In October, it hardly ever snows in St. Andrews.
Snow days bring at least 1 cm of fresh snow. Fresh snow comes from ERA5 snowfall (1996–2025) at the height of the place, not on the slopes above it; the snow chance also weighs whether the snow settles. An estimate from climate averages, not a snow report.
Planning a trip to St. Andrews
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
St. Andrews 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.
St. Andrews has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 81) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 17).
- 32
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 8 °C by day
- Sea 4 °C
- 5.9 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
- 73
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 17 °C by day
- Sea 7 °C
- 6.7 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 81
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
ExcellentBest holidays
- 24 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 6.8 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 57
October half-term
Oct
Fair
- 14 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 4.9 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
- 17
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 1 °C by day
- Sea 7 °C
- 3.8 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 6 h 20 min
- Distance
- 4,810 km
- Time zone
- UTC−3
- Jet lag
- About 3 days (4 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.
Compare & alternatives
St. Andrews compared
Put St. Andrews side by side with another destination.
St. Andrews vs Saint John
In October the holiday weather in St. Andrews and Saint John is about equally good (score 57 vs 55). During the day it is about as warm in Saint John as in St. Andrews. The sea is about equally warm.
| in October | St. Andrews | Saint John |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 57 | 55 |
| Daytime high | 14° | 14° |
| Sea | 12° | 12° |
| Sunshine | 5 h | 5 h |
| Rainy days | 10 | 11 |
| Best time | May – Sep | Jun – Sep |
Through the year
Canada in October: the best places
In October, St. Andrews ranks 1 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- St. AndrewsThis page14°12°57
- 2Yarmouth14°12°56
- 3Wolfville14°13°54
- 4Halifax14°14°53
- 5Digby14°12°51
- 6Antigonish15°50
- 7Saint John14°12°49
- 8Miramichi13°49
Near St. Andrews
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like St. Andrews
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to St. Andrews's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about St. Andrews
When is the best time to visit St. Andrews?
The best time to visit St. Andrews 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 St. Andrews?
The sea temperature in St. Andrews ranges from 3.2 °C in March to 13.2 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in St. Andrews in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 11.6 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in St. Andrews?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 24 °C and nights around 13 °C. January is the coolest month at −1 °C.
When does it rain most in St. Andrews?
The wettest month is December with 123 mm of precipitation. The driest month is August with 80 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does St. Andrews get?
St. Andrews gets around 2,020 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 6.9 hours a day; in December there are 3.5 hours a day.
What time zone is St. Andrews in?
St. Andrews is on UTC−4 in January and UTC−3 in July.
How long is the flight from London to St. Andrews?
A nonstop flight from London to St. Andrews takes about 6 h 20 min, for a straight-line distance of about 4,810 km.
Which school holidays are best for St. Andrews?
St. Andrews has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 81) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 17). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 32, May half-term 73, summer holidays 81, October half-term 57, Christmas holidays 17.