AI-generatedSunderland at a glance
- Best time
- Jun – Sep
- Warmest month
- Jul · 19°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 14.5°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,450 h
- Rain a year
- 682 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+0 / UTC+1
- Elevation
- 36 m
Climate in Sunderland
Sunderland has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. July is the warmest month with average highs of 19 °C, while January is the coolest at 7 °C. With around 1,450 hours of sunshine a year, Sunderland is rather dull; May is the sunniest month with 6.5 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: June – September
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 9°
- Midday, 13:00: about 13°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 13°
- 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.
What is the weather like in Sunderland in October?
In October, Sunderland is cool: daytime highs average 13 °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 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 66 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Sunderland.
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+1Europe/London
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %52 %
- 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
Sea temperature in Sunderland
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 11.5 – 12.4 °C
Swimming season: Never above 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Sunderland 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 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 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 |
Sunshine hours in Sunderland
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 Sunderland, 29 % of the day.
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.
UV index in Sunderland
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 90 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 it, 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.
Rain in Sunderland: 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, Sunderland has about 13 rainy days with 66 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Sunderland
How breezy and how cloudy Sunderland 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 Sunderland 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 gets there 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 Sunderland: 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.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Sunderland
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 | 7° | 2° | 7.5° | 1.7 h | 12 | 55 |
| FebruaryFeb | 14 | 7° | 2° | 6.6° | 2.7 h | 11 | 48 |
| MarchMar | 22 | 9° | 3° | 6.6° | 3.6 h | 11 | 44 |
| AprilApr | 39 | 11° | 4° | 7.5° | 5.3 h | 11 | 46 |
| MayMay | 56 | 14° | 7° | 9.6° | 6.5 h | 12 | 49 |
| JuneJun | 68 | 17° | 10° | 12.0° | 5.7 h | 11 | 60 |
| JulyJul | 70 | 19° | 12° | 14.0° | 5.8 h | 13 | 68 |
| AugustAug | 70 | 19° | 12° | 14.5° | 5.4 h | 13 | 68 |
| SeptemberSep | 65 | 17° | 11° | 13.4° | 4.3 h | 10 | 51 |
| OctoberOct | 38 | 13° | 8° | 11.9° | 3.1 h | 13 | 66 |
| NovemberNov | 18 | 9° | 5° | 10.5° | 2.1 h | 13 | 64 |
| DecemberDec | 11 | 7° | 3° | 8.9° | 1.5 h | 13 | 63 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, 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
54.90° N, 1.38° W · 36 m · Europe/London
Best time to visit Sunderland
The best time to visit Sunderland is from June 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 in June and in September. Rain is most frequent from July to August and from October to January; the wettest month is August with 68 mm.
Sunderland through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Sunderland in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- 9–14 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 5 h of sun a day
- 33 rainy days in all
Sunderland in summer
Jun – Aug
Good
- 17–19 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 6 h of sun a day
- 37 rainy days in all
Sunderland in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 9–17 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 3 h of sun a day
- 35 rainy days in all
Sunderland in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 7 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 2 h of sun a day
- 37 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Sunderland for you.
Your best months: July – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Sunderland
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 Sunderland: score 70 against 38. In July, days are 6 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 2 °C warmer in July. The sun shines 3 hours longer a day in July.
| Month | October | July |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 38 | 70better |
| Day high | 13° | 19° |
| Night low | 8° | 12° |
| Sea | 11.9° | 14.0° |
| Sunshine | 3.1 h | 5.8 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 13 | 13 |
| Rainfall | 66 mm | 68 mm |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Jun, Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Jul – Aug, Oct – Jan
12 or more rainy days
Sunderland month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
12January7° · Sea 8° · 2 h
In January, Sunderland is cold: daytime highs average 7 °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 2 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 Sunderland.
Sunderland in January14February7° · Sea 7° · 3 h
In February, Sunderland is cold: daytime highs average 7 °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 3 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 Sunderland.
Sunderland in February22March9° · Sea 7° · 4 h
In March, Sunderland is cold: daytime highs average 9 °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 4 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 Sunderland.
Sunderland in March39April11° · Sea 8° · 5 h
In April, Sunderland is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 7.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 46 mm in total. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Sunderland.
Sunderland in April56May14° · Sea 10° · 7 h
In May, Sunderland is cool: daytime highs average 14 °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 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 49 mm in total. All in all, May is a so-so month for a holiday in Sunderland.
Sunderland in May68June17° · Sea 12° · 6 h
In June, Sunderland is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 12.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 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 Sunderland.
Sunderland in June70July19° · Sea 14° · 6 h
In July, Sunderland is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 14.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 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 Sunderland.
Sunderland in July70August19° · Sea 15° · 5 h
In August, Sunderland is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 14.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 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 Sunderland.
Sunderland in August65September17° · Sea 13° · 4 h
In September, Sunderland is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 13.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4 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 Sunderland.
Sunderland in September38October13° · Sea 12° · 3 h
In October, Sunderland is cool: daytime highs average 13 °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 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 66 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Sunderland.
Sunderland in October18November9° · Sea 11° · 2 h
In November, Sunderland is cold: daytime highs average 9 °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 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 Sunderland.
Sunderland in November11December7° · Sea 9° · 2 h
In December, Sunderland is cold: daytime highs average 7 °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 2 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 Sunderland.
Sunderland in DecemberSunderland compared
Put Sunderland side by side with another destination.
No destination found
Sunderland vs. Newcastle upon Tyne
In October the holiday weather in Sunderland and Newcastle upon Tyne is about equally good (score 38 vs. 35). During the day it is about as warm in Newcastle upon Tyne as in Sunderland.
| in October | Sunderland | Newcastle upon Tyne |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 38 | 35 |
| Daytime high | 13° | 13° |
| Sea | 12° | – |
| Sunshine | 3 h | 3 h |
| Rainy days | 13 | 13 |
| Best time | Jun – Sep | Jun – Sep |
Through the year
United Kingdom in October: the best places
In October, Sunderland ranks 6 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Lincoln14°47
- 2Kingston upon Hull14°13°43
- 3York14°42
- 4Sheffield14°41
- 5Leeds13°39
- 6SunderlandThis page13°12°38
- 7Durham13°37
- 8Bradford13°36
Planning a trip to Sunderland
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Sunderland 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.
Sunderland has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 70) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 12).
- 34
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 11 °C by day
- Sea 7 °C
- 4.8 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
- 58
May half-term
May – Jun
Fair
- 15 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 6.3 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
- 70
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
GoodBest holidays
- 19 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 5.5 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 38
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 13 °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
- 7 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 1.6 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
- 390 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.
Frequently asked questions about Sunderland
When is the best time to visit Sunderland?
The best time to visit Sunderland is from June to September. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Sunderland?
The sea temperature in Sunderland 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 Sunderland 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 Sunderland?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 19 °C and nights around 12 °C. January is the coolest month at 7 °C.
When does it rain most in Sunderland?
Rain is most frequent from July to August and 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 Sunderland get?
Sunderland gets around 1,450 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 6.5 hours a day; in December there are 1.5 hours a day.
What time zone is Sunderland in?
Sunderland uses the time zone Europe/London: UTC+0 in January and UTC+1 in July.
Which school holidays are best for Sunderland?
Sunderland 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 34, May half-term 58, Summer holidays 70, October half-term 38, Christmas holidays 12.
Near Sunderland
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Sunderland
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Sunderland's – good alternatives.