AI-generatedYork at a glance
- Best time
- May – Sep
- Warmest month
- Jul · 20°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,550 h
- Rain a year
- 699 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+0 / UTC+1
- Elevation
- 17 m
Climate in York
York has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. July is the warmest month with average highs of 20 °C, while January is the coolest at 7 °C. With around 1,550 hours of sunshine a year, York 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
Fair
Best time to visit: May – September
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 8°
- Midday, 13:00: about 13°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 13°
- Evening, 20:00: about 11°
- Night, 23:00: about 10°
07:3018:10
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 07:08–08:19 · evening 17:21–18:32
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:54–07:08 · 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 York in October?
In October, York is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 66 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in York.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 10 h 40 min07:30 – 18:10
- UV index
- 2 · lowclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 23 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 72 %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 %56 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %5 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %42 %
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 York
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 3.3 of 10.7 hours of daylight in York, 31 % 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 York
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 85 min
- Fair skin
- about 105 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 York: 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, York has about 12 rainy days with 66 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in York
How breezy and how cloudy York 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 York typically peaks at 23 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 72 % of the sky over York: mostly cloudy, with about 3.3 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 York
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 August (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 | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 14 | 7° | 2° | 1.8 h | 12 | 53 |
| FebruaryFeb | 15 | 8° | 2° | 2.9 h | 11 | 48 |
| MarchMar | 28 | 10° | 2° | 4.0 h | 10 | 48 |
| AprilApr | 44 | 12° | 4° | 5.4 h | 11 | 52 |
| MayMay | 62 | 15° | 7° | 6.5 h | 11 | 55 |
| JuneJun | 73 | 18° | 10° | 6.0 h | 11 | 68 |
| JulyJul | 73 | 20° | 12° | 6.3 h | 12 | 68 |
| AugustAug | 74 | 20° | 12° | 5.9 h | 11 | 67 |
| SeptemberSep | 69 | 17° | 10° | 4.6 h | 10 | 52 |
| OctoberOct | 42 | 14° | 8° | 3.3 h | 12 | 66 |
| NovemberNov | 20 | 9° | 4° | 2.2 h | 12 | 60 |
| DecemberDec | 13 | 7° | 2° | 1.8 h | 12 | 62 |
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
53.96° N, 1.08° W · 17 m · Europe/London
Best time to visit York
The best time to visit York is from May to September. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from May to June and from August to September. Rain is most frequent in July and in October and in December; the wettest month is July with 68 mm.
York through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
York in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 10–15 °C by day
- 5 h of sun a day
- 32 rainy days in all
York in summer
Jun – Aug
Good
- 18–20 °C by day
- 6 h of sun a day
- 35 rainy days in all
York in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 9–17 °C by day
- 3 h of sun a day
- 34 rainy days in all
York in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 7–8 °C by day
- 2 h of sun a day
- 34 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in York for you.
Your best months: July – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in York
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 York: score 74 against 42. In August, days are 6 °C warmer than in October. August has one rainy day fewer. The sun shines 3 hours longer a day in August.
| Month | October | August |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 42 | 74better |
| Day high | 14° | 20° |
| Night low | 8° | 12° |
| Sunshine | 3.3 h | 5.9 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 12 | 11better |
| Rainfall | 66 mm | 67 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 – Jun, Aug – Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Jul, Oct, Dec
12 or more rainy days
York month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
14January7° · 2 h
In January, York 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 12 rainy days and 53 mm in total. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in York.
York in January15February8° · 3 h
In February, York 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 11 rainy days and 48 mm in total. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in York.
York in February28March10° · 4 h
In March, York is cold: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 48 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in York.
York in March44April12° · 5 h
In April, York is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 52 mm in total. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in York.
York in April62May15° · 7 h
In May, York is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 55 mm in total. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in York.
York in May73June18° · 6 h
In June, York is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 68 mm in total. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in York.
York in June73July20° · 6 h
In July, York is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 68 mm in total. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in York.
York in July74August20° · 6 h
In August, York is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 67 mm in total. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in York.
York in August69September17° · 5 h
In September, York is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 52 mm in total. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in York.
York in September42October14° · 3 h
In October, York is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 66 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in York.
York in October20November9° · 2 h
In November, York is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 60 mm in total. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in York.
York in November13December7° · 2 h
In December, York 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 12 rainy days and 62 mm in total. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in York.
York in DecemberYork compared
Put York side by side with another destination.
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York vs. Leeds
In October the holiday weather in York and Leeds is about equally good (score 42 vs. 39). During the day Leeds is 1 °C cooler than York.
| in October | York | Leeds |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 42 | 39 |
| Daytime high | 14° | 13° |
| Sunshine | 3 h | 3 h |
| Rainy days | 12 | 13 |
| Best time | May – Sep | May – Sep |
Through the year
United Kingdom in October: the best places
In October, York ranks 7 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Peterborough15°49
- 2Lincoln14°47
- 3Nottingham14°45
- 4Leicester14°45
- 5Derby14°44
- 6Kingston upon Hull14°13°43
- 7YorkThis page14°42
- 8Sheffield14°41
Planning a trip to York
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
York 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.
York has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 74) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 14).
- 39
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 11 °C by day
- 5.0 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
- 64
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 16 °C by day
- 6.4 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 74
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
GoodBest holidays
- 20 °C by day
- 6.0 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 42
October half-term
Oct
Fair
- 14 °C by day
- 3.3 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 14
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 7 °C by day
- 1.8 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
- 280 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 York
When is the best time to visit York?
The best time to visit York 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 York?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 20 °C and nights around 12 °C. January is the coolest month at 7 °C.
When does it rain most in York?
Rain is most frequent in July and in October and in December; the wettest month is July with 68 mm. The driest month is March with 48 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does York get?
York gets around 1,550 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 6.5 hours a day; in January there are 1.8 hours a day.
What time zone is York in?
York uses the time zone Europe/London: UTC+0 in January and UTC+1 in July.
Which school holidays are best for York?
York has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 74) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 14). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 39, May half-term 64, Summer holidays 74, October half-term 42, Christmas holidays 14.
Near York
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like York
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to York's – good alternatives.