AI-generatedWilmington, Delaware at a glance
- Best time
- Jun – Sep
- Warmest month
- Jul · 31°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 24.9°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,190 h
- Rain a year
- 1,132 mm
- Climate
- Temperate
- Time zone
- UTC−5 / UTC−4
- Elevation
- 28 m
Climate in Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware has a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters. July is the warmest month with average highs of 31 °C, while January is the coolest at 5 °C. With around 2,190 hours of sunshine a year, Wilmington, Delaware is moderately sunny; July is the sunniest month with 7.8 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Wilmington, Delaware
The best time to visit Wilmington, Delaware is from June to September. In August and September, though, the hurricane season is at its peak: check the forecast before you go. For a beach holiday – sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry – go from July to September. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from April to May and from September to October. The wettest month is July with 106 mm of precipitation.
Wilmington, Delaware through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Wilmington, Delaware in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- 12–23 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 6.4 h of sun a day
- 32 rainy days in all
Wilmington, Delaware in summer
Jun – Aug
Excellent
- 28–31 °C by day
- Sea 23 °C
- 7.4 h of sun a day
- 33 rainy days in all
Wilmington, Delaware in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 14–26 °C by day
- Sea 18 °C
- 5.5 h of sun a day
- 25 rainy days in all
Wilmington, Delaware in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 5–8 °C by day
- Sea 4 °C
- 4.7 h of sun a day
- 28 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
Jul – Sep
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Apr – May, Sep – Oct
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Snow
Jan – Feb
Snow on 2 or more days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Wilmington, Delaware 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: June – September
October is the peak of the hurricane season Hurricane season
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Good forSightseeing & walks
Keep in mindStorm season
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 11°
- Midday, 13:00: about 19°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 19°
- Evening, 20:00: about 15°
- Night, 23:00: about 12°
07:1118:25
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 06:54–07:47 · evening 17:48–18:41
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:44–06:54 · evening 18:41–18:52
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 Wilmington, Delaware compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 23° at the start of the month to 17° at the end. The sea cools from 20° to 15°. The days get 1.2 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 23° | 17° |
| Night-time low | 12° | 6° |
| Sea | 20° | 15° |
| Daylight | 11.8 h | 10.6 h |
What is the weather like in Wilmington, Delaware in October?
In October, Wilmington, Delaware is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 18.1 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 91 mm. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Wilmington, Delaware.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 14 min07:11 – 18:25
- UV index
- 4 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 1 daydew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 16 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 51 %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−4offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %12 %
- Seaweight 25 %16 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %42 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %70 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Wetsuit for longer swims
- Sunscreen
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Compare two months in Wilmington, Delaware
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 Wilmington, Delaware: score 86 against 30. In July, days are 11 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 6 °C warmer in July. July has 3 more rainy days. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in July.
| Month | October | July |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 30 | 86better |
| Daytime high | 20° | 31° |
| Night-time low | 9° | 20° |
| Sea | 18.1° | 24.1° |
| Sunshine | 5.5 h | 7.8 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 8better | 11 |
| Rainfall | 91 mmbetter | 106 mm |
| Muggy days | 1better | 21 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Wilmington, Delaware month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
18January5° · Sea 4° · 4.5 h
In January, Wilmington, Delaware is cold: daytime highs average 5 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−3 °C). The sea averages 3.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 83 mm in total. Snow falls on about 3 days. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Wilmington, Delaware.
Wilmington, Delaware in January20February7° · Sea 3° · 5.2 h
In February, Wilmington, Delaware is cold: daytime highs average 7 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−3 °C). The sea averages 2.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 78 mm in total. Snow falls on about 3 days. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Wilmington, Delaware.
Wilmington, Delaware in February21March12° · Sea 5° · 5.9 h
In March, Wilmington, Delaware is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 1 °C. The sea averages 5.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 100 mm in total. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Wilmington, Delaware.
Wilmington, Delaware in March23April18° · Sea 10° · 6.6 h
In April, Wilmington, Delaware is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 9.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 95 mm in total. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Wilmington, Delaware.
Wilmington, Delaware in April48May23° · Sea 15° · 6.8 h
In May, Wilmington, Delaware is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 14.9 °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 94 mm in total. All in all, May is a so-so month for a holiday in Wilmington, Delaware.
Wilmington, Delaware in May72June28° · Sea 20° · 7.4 h
In June, Wilmington, Delaware is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 20.4 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 7.4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 105 mm in total. On about 9 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Wilmington, Delaware.
Wilmington, Delaware in June86July31° · Sea 24° · 7.8 h
In July, Wilmington, Delaware is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sea averages 24.1 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 106 mm in total. On about 18 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, July is an excellent month for a holiday in Wilmington, Delaware.
Wilmington, Delaware in July83August30° · Sea 25° · 6.9 h
In August, Wilmington, Delaware is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 24.9 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 99 mm in total. On about 14 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Wilmington, Delaware.
Wilmington, Delaware in August79September26° · Sea 23° · 5.9 h
In September, Wilmington, Delaware is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 23.0 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 105 mm in total. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Wilmington, Delaware.
Wilmington, Delaware in September30October20° · Sea 18° · 5.5 h
In October, Wilmington, Delaware is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 18.1 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 91 mm. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Wilmington, Delaware.
Wilmington, Delaware in October21November14° · Sea 12° · 5.0 h
In November, Wilmington, Delaware is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 11.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.0 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 73 mm. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Wilmington, Delaware.
Wilmington, Delaware in November17December8° · Sea 7° · 4.3 h
In December, Wilmington, Delaware is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−1 °C). The sea averages 6.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.3 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 101 mm in total. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Wilmington, Delaware.
Wilmington, Delaware in DecemberClimate in detail
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Wilmington, Delaware
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°
- Pleasant 15–20°
- Warm 20–24°
- muggy month (15+ muggy days)
CoolOctober: nights around 9°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening. Muggy on about 1 day (dew point 18 °C or more).
The coolest nights are in January (−3°), the warmest in July (20°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule in July; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) in June and from August to September. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from November to April, so the room should be heated. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 65 days a year, mostly from July to August.
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 | 18 | 5° | −3° | 3.5° | 4.5 h | 9 | 83 |
| FebruaryFeb | 20 | 7° | −3° | 2.8° | 5.2 h | 9 | 78 |
| MarchMar | 21 | 12° | 1° | 5.4° | 5.9 h | 10 | 100 |
| AprilApr | 23 | 18° | 7° | 9.8° | 6.6 h | 11 | 95 |
| MayMay | 48 | 23° | 12° | 14.9° | 6.8 h | 11 | 94 |
| JuneJun | 72 | 28° | 17° | 20.4° | 7.4 h | 11 | 105 |
| JulyJul | 86 | 31° | 20° | 24.1° | 7.8 h | 11 | 106 |
| AugustAug | 83 | 30° | 19° | 24.9° | 6.9 h | 11 | 99 |
| SeptemberSep | 79 | 26° | 15° | 23.0° | 5.9 h | 9 | 105 |
| OctoberOct | 30 | 20° | 9° | 18.1° | 5.5 h | 8 | 91 |
| NovemberNov | 21 | 14° | 3° | 11.7° | 5.0 h | 8 | 73 |
| DecemberDec | 17 | 8° | −1° | 6.7° | 4.3 h | 9 | 101 |
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
39.75° N, 75.55° W · 28 m · America/New_York
Sea temperature in Wilmington, Delaware
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 16.9 – 19.5 °C
Swimming season: Jun – Sep
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Wilmington, Delaware ranges from 2.8 °C in February to 24.9 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from June to September.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in August, while the air already peaks in July. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in August, eight out of ten years were between 23.4 and 26.3 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 3.5° | 1.5° | 4.8° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 2.8° | 1.2° | 5.0° | cold |
| MarchMar | 5.4° | 3.7° | 7.3° | cold |
| AprilApr | 9.8° | 7.6° | 12.1° | cold |
| MayMay | 14.9° | 12.3° | 17.5° | cold |
| JuneJun | 20.4° | 17.7° | 22.7° | refreshing |
| JulyJul | 24.1° | 21.4° | 26.5° | pleasant |
| AugustAug | 24.9° | 23.4° | 26.3° | pleasant |
| SeptemberSep | 23.0° | 22.1° | 24.1° | pleasant |
| OctoberOct | 18.1° | 16.9° | 19.5° | fresh |
| NovemberNov | 11.7° | 10.6° | 12.9° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 6.7° | 5.2° | 8.9° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Wilmington, Delaware
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 5.5 of 11.2 hours of daylight in Wilmington, Delaware, 49 % 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 Wilmington, Delaware: 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, Wilmington, Delaware has about 8 rainy days with 91 mm of rain in total.
UV index in Wilmington, Delaware
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 4 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 10).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 30 min
- Fair skin
- about 40 min
- Light brown skin
- about 55 min
- Olive skin
- about 75 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 Wilmington, Delaware
How breezy and how cloudy Wilmington, Delaware 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 Wilmington, Delaware typically peaks at 16 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
The daily breeze rarely reaches Beaufort 4 (20 km/h), so wind sports depend on single windy days.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 51 % of the sky over Wilmington, Delaware: variable cloud, with about 5.5 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 Wilmington, Delaware
How often the day gets hot in Wilmington, Delaware (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, Wilmington, Delaware has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 20 °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 Wilmington, Delaware
Snow is possible in Wilmington, Delaware, but no month makes it likely: 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 Wilmington, Delaware.
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 Wilmington, Delaware
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Wilmington, Delaware 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.
Wilmington, Delaware has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 84) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 18).
- 22
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 16 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 6.4 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
- 53
May half-term
May – Jun
Fair
- 24 °C by day
- Sea 16 °C
- 6.9 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 84
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
ExcellentBest holidays
- 30 °C by day
- Sea 25 °C
- 7.2 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming
Keep in mind: Storm season
- 30
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 20 °C by day
- Sea 18 °C
- 5.5 h of sun a day
- 8 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
Keep in mind: Storm season
- 18
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 7 °C by day
- Sea 5 °C
- 4.4 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 7 h 25 min
- Distance
- 5,720 km
- Time zone
- UTC−4
- Jet lag
- About 3 days (5 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.
Storm season
Wilmington, Delaware lies in an area that Atlantic hurricanes can reach. The hurricane season runs from June to November, with most storms from August to October. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June: Season
- July: Season
- August: Peak
- September: Peak
- October: Peak
- November: Season
- December
Official season dates of the regional warning centres (NOAA, JMA, IMD, Météo-France, BoM, Fiji Meteorological Service); not a forecast.
Compare & alternatives
Wilmington, Delaware compared
Put Wilmington, Delaware side by side with another destination.
Wilmington vs Philadelphia
In October the holiday weather in Wilmington and Philadelphia is about equally good (score 30 vs 30). During the day it is about as warm in Philadelphia as in Wilmington. The sea is about equally warm. Philadelphia gets one hour less sunshine a day.
| in October | Wilmington | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 30 | 30 |
| Daytime high | 20° | 20° |
| Sea | 18° | 18° |
| Sunshine | 6 h | 5 h |
| Rainy days | 8 | 8 |
| Best time | Jun – Sep | Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct |
Through the year
USA in October: the best places
In October, Wilmington, Delaware ranks 24 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Richmond22°82
- 2Norfolk23°20°82
- 3Washington21°19°81
- 4Alexandria21°19°81
- 5Philadelphia20°18°79
- 6Baltimore21°18°79
- 7New York19°18°78
- 8Harrisburg19°77
- 24WilmingtonThis page20°18°30
Near Wilmington, Delaware
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Wilmington, Delaware
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Wilmington, Delaware's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Wilmington, Delaware
When is the best time to visit Wilmington, Delaware?
The best time to visit Wilmington, Delaware 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 Wilmington, Delaware?
The sea temperature in Wilmington, Delaware ranges from 2.8 °C in February to 24.9 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from June to September.
Can you swim in Wilmington, Delaware in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 18.1 °C. Comfortable swimming is possible from June to September.
What is the warmest month in Wilmington, Delaware?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 31 °C and nights around 20 °C. January is the coolest month at 5 °C.
When does it rain most in Wilmington, Delaware?
The wettest month is July with 106 mm of precipitation. The driest month is November with 73 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Wilmington, Delaware get?
Wilmington, Delaware gets around 2,190 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 7.8 hours a day; in December there are 4.3 hours a day.
What time zone is Wilmington, Delaware in?
Wilmington, Delaware is on UTC−5 in January and UTC−4 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Wilmington, Delaware?
A nonstop flight from London to Wilmington, Delaware takes about 7 h 25 min, for a straight-line distance of about 5,720 km.
When is hurricane season in Wilmington, Delaware?
Wilmington, Delaware lies in an area that Atlantic hurricanes can reach. The hurricane season runs from June to November, with most storms from August to October. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.
Which school holidays are best for Wilmington, Delaware?
Wilmington, Delaware has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 84) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 18). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 22, May half-term 53, summer holidays 84, October half-term 30, Christmas holidays 18.