AI-generatedWatford at a glance
- Best time
- May – Sep
- Warmest month
- Jul · 21°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,670 h
- Rain a year
- 663 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+0 / UTC+1
- Elevation
- 77 m
Climate in Watford
Watford 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 7 °C. With around 1,670 hours of sunshine a year, Watford is moderately sunny; July is the sunniest month with 7.0 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Fair
Best time to visit: May – September
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 10°
- Midday, 13:00: about 14°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 14°
- Evening, 20:00: about 12°
- Night, 23:00: about 11°
07:2418:11
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 07:03–08:10 · evening 17:25–18:31
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:50–07:03 · evening 18:31–18:44
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 Watford in October?
In October, Watford is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 64 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Watford.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 10 h 47 min07:24 – 18:11
- UV index
- 2 · lowclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 22 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 %65 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %12 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %46 %
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
Sunshine hours in Watford
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 3.7 of 10.8 hours of daylight in Watford, 34 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 20 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Watford
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 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 Watford: 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, Watford has about 12 rainy days with 64 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Watford
How breezy and how cloudy Watford 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 Watford typically peaks at 22 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 71 % of the sky over Watford: mostly cloudy, with about 3.7 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 Watford
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 (2°), the warmest in July (13°). 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 | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 15 | 7° | 2° | 2.0 h | 11 | 53 |
| FebruaryFeb | 16 | 8° | 2° | 2.8 h | 10 | 47 |
| MarchMar | 30 | 10° | 3° | 4.0 h | 10 | 44 |
| AprilApr | 50 | 13° | 5° | 5.9 h | 11 | 47 |
| MayMay | 68 | 16° | 8° | 6.7 h | 11 | 57 |
| JuneJun | 80 | 19° | 11° | 6.9 h | 10 | 59 |
| JulyJul | 78 | 21° | 13° | 7.0 h | 11 | 59 |
| AugustAug | 77 | 21° | 13° | 6.5 h | 11 | 63 |
| SeptemberSep | 76 | 18° | 11° | 5.2 h | 9 | 48 |
| OctoberOct | 49 | 15° | 9° | 3.7 h | 12 | 64 |
| NovemberNov | 25 | 10° | 5° | 2.4 h | 11 | 63 |
| DecemberDec | 14 | 8° | 3° | 1.8 h | 11 | 57 |
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
51.66° N, 0.40° W · 77 m · Europe/London
Best time to visit Watford
The best time to visit Watford is from May to September. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from May to September. The wettest month is October with 64 mm of precipitation.
Watford through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Watford in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 10–16 °C by day
- 6 h of sun a day
- 32 rainy days in all
Watford in summer
Jun – Aug
Good
- 19–21 °C by day
- 7 h of sun a day
- 32 rainy days in all
Watford in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 10–18 °C by day
- 4 h of sun a day
- 32 rainy days in all
Watford in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 7–8 °C by day
- 2 h of sun a day
- 33 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Watford for you.
Your best months: July – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Watford
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 Watford: score 80 against 49. In June, days are 4 °C warmer than in October. June has 2 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 3 hours longer a day in June.
| Month | October | June |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 49 | 80better |
| Day high | 15° | 19° |
| Night low | 9° | 11° |
| Sunshine | 3.7 h | 6.9 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 12 | 10better |
| Rainfall | 64 mm | 59 mm |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
May – Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Watford month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
15January7° · 2 h
In January, Watford is cold: daytime highs average 7 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 53 mm in total. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Watford.
Watford in January16February8° · 3 h
In February, Watford is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 47 mm in total. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Watford.
Watford in February30March10° · 4 h
In March, Watford is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 44 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Watford.
Watford in March50April13° · 6 h
In April, Watford is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 47 mm in total. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Watford.
Watford in April68May16° · 7 h
In May, Watford is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 57 mm in total. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Watford.
Watford in May80June19° · 7 h
In June, Watford is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 59 mm in total. All in all, June is an excellent month for a holiday in Watford.
Watford in June78July21° · 7 h
In July, Watford is warm: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 59 mm in total. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Watford.
Watford in July77August21° · 7 h
In August, Watford is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 63 mm in total. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Watford.
Watford in August76September18° · 5 h
In September, Watford is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 48 mm in total. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Watford.
Watford in September49October15° · 4 h
In October, Watford is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 64 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Watford.
Watford in October25November10° · 2 h
In November, Watford is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 63 mm in total. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Watford.
Watford in November14December8° · 2 h
In December, Watford is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 57 mm in total. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Watford.
Watford in DecemberWatford compared
Put Watford side by side with another destination.
No destination found
Watford vs. Slough
In October the holiday weather in Watford and Slough is about equally good (score 49 vs. 49). During the day it is about as warm in Slough as in Watford.
| in October | Watford | Slough |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 49 | 49 |
| Daytime high | 15° | 15° |
| Sunshine | 4 h | 4 h |
| Rainy days | 12 | 12 |
| Best time | May – Sep | May – Sep |
Through the year
United Kingdom in October: the best places
In October, Watford ranks 4 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- London15°51
- 2Cambridge15°51
- 3Canterbury15°50
- 4WatfordThis page15°49
- 5Slough15°49
- 6Winchester15°49
- 7Brighton15°16°49
- 8Peterborough15°49
Planning a trip to Watford
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Watford 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.
Watford has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 77) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 15).
- 44
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Fair
- 12 °C by day
- 5.3 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
- 70
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 17 °C by day
- 6.7 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 77
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
GoodBest holidays
- 21 °C by day
- 6.7 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 49
October half-term
Oct
Fair
- 15 °C by day
- 3.7 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
- 15
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 7 °C by day
- 1.9 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- Short trip – train or car is often quicker
- Distance
- 20 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 Watford
When is the best time to visit Watford?
The best time to visit Watford is from May to September. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Watford?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 21 °C and nights around 13 °C. January is the coolest month at 7 °C.
When does it rain most in Watford?
The wettest month is October with 64 mm of precipitation. The driest month is March with 44 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Watford get?
Watford gets around 1,670 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 7.0 hours a day; in December there are 1.8 hours a day.
What time zone is Watford in?
Watford uses the time zone Europe/London: UTC+0 in January and UTC+1 in July.
Which school holidays are best for Watford?
Watford has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 77) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 15). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 44, May half-term 70, Summer holidays 77, October half-term 49, Christmas holidays 15.
Near Watford
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Watford
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Watford's – good alternatives.