October is one of the warmer months of the year in Washington, with average highs near 19.8°C and lows around 9°C (mean 14.4°C). It is about average for rainfall, averaging 87 mm of rainfall and 74% relative humidity across the period.
October is one of the warmer months of the year in Washington. Across 45 years of records, the warmest Octobers in Washington were 2007 and 2021 — when the month averaged 18.3°C — while the coldest was 1987 at 10.9°C. Typical October days reach 19.8°C with nights near 9°C. The long-term trend is warming, about 0.5°C per decade.
October is about average for rainfall in Washington, averaging 87 mm of rainfall. The wettest October on record was 2012 with 211 mm, while the driest was 2000 at 5 mm.
Relative humidity in Washington during October averages 74%. The most humid October was 2011 at 82%, and the least humid was 2001 at 63%.
October receives about 3.4 kWh/m²/day of solar energy in Washington. The sunniest October was 2001 at 4.2 kWh/m²/day, and the cloudiest was 2002 at 2.6.
Average wind speed in Washington during October is 2.6 m/s. The windiest October was 2025 at 3 m/s, while the calmest were 1984, 1994 and 2004 at 2.2 m/s.
Ranked against the other 11 months using 1981–2025 averages.
| Metric | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 13.8°C | 13.8°C | 14.2°C | 15.0°C | 15.7°C | +1.9°C |
| Avg High | 19.4°C | 19.4°C | 19.5°C | 20.1°C | 21.2°C | +1.8°C |
| Avg Low | 8.3°C | 8.2°C | 9.0°C | 9.9°C | 10.1°C | +1.8°C |
| Avg Rain | 80 mm | 82 mm | 92 mm | 101 mm | 74 mm | -6 mm |
October temperatures in Washington have risen by about 1.2°C between 1981–1985 and 2021–2025.
October has ranged from a record low of -1.5°C (1988) to a record high of 35.6°C (2019).
Rainfall in October is about average for rainfall, averaging 87 mm, with a wettest year of 211 mm.
A good time to visit Washington
October is a good time to visit Washington, with days averaging 19.8°C and nights around 9°C (mean 14.4°C, warmer than Washington's yearly average) and higher rainfall. June and September are marginally more temperate, but October still suits most travellers.
| Year | Avg High | Avg Temp | Avg Low | Hottest Day | Coldest Day | Rainfall | Humidity | Wind | Solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 20.9°C | 15.3°C | 9.6°C | 28.5°C | 3.5°C | 52 mm | 66% | 3 m/s | 3.7 |
| 2024 | 22.4°C | 16.0°C | 9.6°C | 28.0°C | 4.3°C | 6 mm | 65% | 2.3 m/s | 4 |
| 2023 | 21.8°C | 16.0°C | 10.2°C | 28.2°C | 4.7°C | 31 mm | 72% | 2.4 m/s | 3.7 |
| 2022 | 18.6°C | 13.2°C | 7.8°C | 24.9°C | 1.9°C | 91 mm | 76% | 2.7 m/s | 3.4 |
| 2021 | 23.3°C | 18.3°C | 13.3°C | 28.9°C | 6.9°C | 96 mm | 77% | 2.6 m/s | 3.2 |
| 2020 | 20.0°C | 15.1°C | 10.2°C | 26.1°C | 3.0°C | 168 mm | 80% | 2.3 m/s | 3.3 |
| 2019 | 22.8°C | 17.3°C | 11.7°C | 35.6°C | 4.9°C | 87 mm | 67% | 2.9 m/s | 3.2 |
| 2018 | 19.2°C | 14.8°C | 10.3°C | 29.0°C | 0.8°C | 92 mm | 82% | 2.6 m/s | 3.3 |
| 2017 | 23.0°C | 17.3°C | 11.5°C | 30.3°C | 3.3°C | 82 mm | 70% | 2.6 m/s | 3.6 |
| 2016 | 20.8°C | 15.6°C | 10.4°C | 28.3°C | 2.7°C | 34 mm | 77% | 2.7 m/s | 3.6 |
| 2015 | 18.5°C | 13.5°C | 8.4°C | 25.9°C | 0.6°C | 92 mm | 78% | 2.7 m/s | 3.4 |
| 2014 | 20.3°C | 15.0°C | 9.7°C | 26.7°C | 3.7°C | 87 mm | 75% | 2.9 m/s | 3.2 |
| 2013 | 20.1°C | 15.1°C | 10.2°C | 31.5°C | -0.8°C | 139 mm | 78% | 2.5 m/s | 3 |
| 2012 🌧️ | 19.6°C | 14.6°C | 9.5°C | 27.0°C | 2.3°C | 211 mm | 78% | 2.6 m/s | 3 |
| 2011 | 17.7°C | 13.1°C | 8.5°C | 26.1°C | -1.1°C | 96 mm | 82% | 2.7 m/s | 3.2 |
| 2010 | 19.0°C | 14.0°C | 9.0°C | 27.1°C | 2.0°C | 90 mm | 80% | 2.8 m/s | 3.5 |
| 2009 | 18.0°C | 13.2°C | 8.5°C | 28.3°C | 1.5°C | 156 mm | 78% | 2.8 m/s | 3 |
| 2008 | 18.9°C | 13.4°C | 7.8°C | 27.0°C | -0.4°C | 39 mm | 72% | 2.6 m/s | 3.7 |
| 2007 🔥 | 23.9°C | 18.3°C | 12.7°C | 32.7°C | 3.0°C | 123 mm | 72% | 2.4 m/s | 3.5 |
| 2006 | 18.4°C | 13.2°C | 7.9°C | 28.3°C | 1.6°C | 104 mm | 75% | 2.9 m/s | 3.4 |
| 2005 | 19.7°C | 15.0°C | 10.3°C | 28.9°C | 1.8°C | 175 mm | 79% | 2.8 m/s | 3 |
| 2004 | 18.8°C | 14.0°C | 9.2°C | 24.6°C | 3.0°C | 32 mm | 79% | 2.2 m/s | 3.1 |
| 2003 | 17.6°C | 12.6°C | 7.6°C | 23.5°C | 0.7°C | 108 mm | 81% | 2.5 m/s | 3.5 |
| 2002 | 18.4°C | 14.1°C | 9.8°C | 30.3°C | 1.6°C | 156 mm | 79% | 2.5 m/s | 2.6 |
| 2001 | 20.9°C | 14.3°C | 7.8°C | 27.8°C | 1.2°C | 22 mm | 63% | 2.8 m/s | 4.2 |
| 2000 | 20.3°C | 14.2°C | 8.0°C | 27.8°C | 1.7°C | 5 mm | 70% | 2.3 m/s | 3.8 |
| 1999 | 17.7°C | 12.4°C | 7.0°C | 24.0°C | 1.7°C | 71 mm | 81% | 2.5 m/s | 3.7 |
| 1998 | 20.7°C | 14.9°C | 9.2°C | 25.7°C | 3.2°C | 44 mm | 65% | 2.8 m/s | 3.4 |
| 1997 | 19.8°C | 14.1°C | 8.5°C | 30.5°C | -0.3°C | 76 mm | 70% | 2.4 m/s | 3.6 |
| 1996 | 18.2°C | 12.9°C | 7.7°C | 25.1°C | 3.3°C | 123 mm | 80% | 2.5 m/s | 3.4 |
| 1995 | 21.0°C | 15.2°C | 9.4°C | 28.3°C | 3.2°C | 162 mm | 76% | 2.5 m/s | 3.6 |
| 1994 | 18.9°C | 13.1°C | 7.3°C | 26.0°C | 2.3°C | 38 mm | 72% | 2.2 m/s | 3.7 |
| 1993 | 18.6°C | 13.0°C | 7.5°C | 26.4°C | 1.7°C | 76 mm | 73% | 2.5 m/s | 3.4 |
| 1992 | 17.5°C | 12.1°C | 6.7°C | 24.7°C | -1.5°C | 50 mm | 74% | 2.5 m/s | 3.4 |
| 1991 | 20.1°C | 14.3°C | 8.4°C | 28.6°C | 1.1°C | 61 mm | 73% | 2.5 m/s | 3.6 |
| 1990 | 21.4°C | 15.7°C | 10.0°C | 29.0°C | -0.6°C | 114 mm | 72% | 2.9 m/s | 3.6 |
| 1989 | 19.6°C | 14.0°C | 8.5°C | 26.7°C | 2.2°C | 125 mm | 80% | 2.4 m/s | 3.3 |
| 1988 | 17.1°C | 11.3°C | 5.6°C | 27.4°C | -1.5°C | 51 mm | 65% | 2.8 m/s | 3.5 |
| 1987 ❄️ | 16.9°C | 10.9°C | 4.8°C | 21.8°C | 0.5°C | 59 mm | 71% | 2.7 m/s | 3.7 |
| 1986 | 20.7°C | 15.2°C | 9.6°C | 31.1°C | 2.5°C | 61 mm | 68% | 2.4 m/s | 3.3 |
| 1985 | 19.6°C | 14.7°C | 9.8°C | 26.9°C | -0.2°C | 90 mm | 79% | 2.4 m/s | 2.9 |
| 1984 | 22.4°C | 17.1°C | 11.9°C | 27.7°C | 4.3°C | 72 mm | 76% | 2.2 m/s | 3.5 |
| 1983 | 19.4°C | 14.3°C | 9.2°C | 29.5°C | -0.1°C | 122 mm | 75% | 2.6 m/s | — |
| 1982 | 20.1°C | 14.4°C | 8.8°C | 28.8°C | 1.0°C | 57 mm | 70% | 2.7 m/s | — |
| 1981 | 18.4°C | 12.6°C | 6.9°C | 29.6°C | 1.4°C | 81 mm | 69% | 2.8 m/s | — |
Actual recorded October data for each year, 1981–2025 — sourced from NASA POWER.
The average high in October is around 19.8°C with lows near 9°C (mean 14.4°C), based on 45 years of NASA POWER data.
October averages 87 mm of rainfall in Washington, about average for rainfall. The wettest on record was 211 mm in 2012.
The hottest October reached 35.6°C in 2019. The coldest dipped to -1.5°C in 1988.
Comparing the earliest years on record (1981–1985) with the most recent (2021–2025), average October temperatures have risen by about 1.2°C. Daytime highs moved from 20°C to 21.4°C and overnight lows from 9.3°C to 10.1°C over the same span.
October is one of the warmer months of the year in Washington and about average for rainfall, so plan for around 19.8°C daytime highs and 9°C at night.
Not quite — October is the 7th coolest month in Washington, averaging 14.4°C.
For October in Washington, pack light layers you can adjust through the day, with typical highs of 19.8°C and lows of 9°C. Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket too.
Relative humidity in October averages 74% — moderately humid.
Average wind speed in October is 2.6 m/s. The windiest October on record averaged 3 m/s (2025).
The wettest October on record was 2012 with 211 mm. On average, October sees 87 mm.
All figures are derived from NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources), based on MERRA-2 satellite reanalysis, covering 1981–2025.
Explore how the weather in Washington behaves each October, based on 45 years of NASA POWER climate data from 1981 to 2025. This page breaks down average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, wind and solar radiation for October specifically, along with year-by-year records and how the month has changed over the decades.
