October 2025 delivered varied weather across the UK, with regional differences in temperature, rainfall, and sunshine hours reflecting the dynamic nature of autumn.
Following a September marked by unsettled conditions and above-average rainfall, October continued the theme of variability, with some regions experiencing notable warmth and others seeing persistent wet spells.
Temperature: Mild Spells and regional warmth
October’s temperatures were generally above the long-term average for most regions, continuing the trend of warmth seen earlier in the autumn. The southeast and central south of England recorded the highest maximum average temperature at 15.1°C, standing out as the warmest region. East Anglia followed closely with a maximum of 14.8°C, while the Midlands and southwest also saw mild conditions, with maximums of 13.9°C and 14.2°C respectively.
Northern regions, including Scotland and northern England, experienced cooler conditions, but even here, temperatures were slightly above average. North Scotland registered an average maximum of 11.5°C, 0.7°C above the 1991–2020 average, while east and west Scotland saw average maximums of 12.1°C and 12.0°C, both exceeding their long-term norms.
Minimum average temperatures also reflected the mildness of the month, with the southeast and central south recording average minimum temperatures of 8.7°C, and East Anglia recording average minimum temperatures 8.6°C. Even in north Scotland, average minimums reached 6.0°C, 1.0°C above average, indicating fewer frosty nights than typical for October.
You can find out more about the weather impacts and extremes experienced across the UK last month in our detailed assessment of the weather and climate statistics.
— Met Office (@metoffice) November 7, 2025
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The mean temperature across regions was consistently above average, with the southeast and central south at 11.9°C (+0.5°C anomaly), East Anglia at 11.7°C (+0.4°C), and north Scotland at 8.7°C (+0.9°C). These figures highlight the persistence of mild air masses and the absence of prolonged cold spells.
Sunshine: A mixed picture
Sunshine hours in October varied considerably across the UK. North Scotland recorded 53 hours, just 78% of the average, reflecting the cloudier and wetter conditions experienced there. East and west Scotland fared slightly better, with 72.1 hours (88%) and 45.7 hours (59%) respectively.
England’s eastern regions enjoyed more sunshine, with East Anglia recording 76.9 hours (69% of average) and the southeast and central south 82 hours (73%). The Midlands saw 64.9 hours (65%), while the southeast and south Wales had 64 hours (64%).
Regional Breakdown
Scotland North
- Average maximum temperature: 11.5°C
- Average minimum temperature: 6.0°C
- Mean temperature: 8.7°C
- Rainfall: 206 mm
- Sunshine: 53 hours
Scotland East
- Average maximum temperature: 12.1°C
- Average minimum temperature: 6.1°C
- Mean temperature: 9.1°C
- Rainfall: 114.5 mm
- Sunshine: 72.1 hours
Scotland West
- Average maximum temperature: 12.0°C
- Average minimum temperature: 7.1°C
- Mean temperature: 9.5°C
- Rainfall: 204.2 mm
- Sunshine: 45.7 hours
READ MORE: Met Office weekend weather forecast: A change from this week's unsettled weather
England East and Northeast
- Average maximum temperature: 13.6°C
- Average minimum temperature: 7.5°C
- Mean temperature: 10.6°C
- Rainfall: 65.9 mm
- Sunshine: 83.7 hours
England Northwest and North Wales
- Average maximum temperature: 13.0°C
- Average minimum temperature: 7.8°C
- Mean temperature: 10.4°C
- Rainfall: 127.4 mm
- Sunshine: 49.9 hours
Midlands
- Average maximum temperature: 13.9°C
- Average minimum temperature: 8.0°C
- Mean temperature: 11.0°C
- Rainfall: 69.2 mm
- Sunshine: 64.9 hours
East Anglia
- Average maximum temperature: 14.8°C
- Average minimum temperature: 8.6°C
- Mean temperature: 11.7°C
- Rainfall: 56.1 mm
- Sunshine: 76.9 hours
England Southwest and South Wales
- Average maximum temperature: 14.2°C
- Average minimum temperature: 8.5°C
- Mean temperature: 11.3°C
- Rainfall: 123.5 mm
- Sunshine: 64 hours
England Southeast and Central South
- Average maximum temperature: 15.1°C
- Average minimum temperature: 8.7°C
- Mean temperature: 11.9°C
- Rainfall: 94.4 mm
- Sunshine: 82 hours
Context and comparison
October’s weather continued the autumnal theme of variability, with mild temperatures persisting across much of the UK and rainfall concentrated in the west and north. The contrast between regions was marked, with the south and east enjoying drier and sunnier conditions, while the north and west contended with frequent rain and cloud cover.
READ MORE: Mild start to November sees temperature records broken
The persistence of above-average temperatures suggests that autumn 2025 is shaping up to be milder than usual, with fewer frosty nights and a delayed onset of winter chill. The wet conditions in the west and north may have implications for river levels and localised flooding, while the drier south and east could see continued agricultural activity and outdoor events.
Met Office scientist, Dr Emily Carlisle said: “October 2025 has been the dullest October in almost 60 years for the UK. A week of persistent ‘anticyclonic gloom’, combined with unsettled autumnal weather and a named storm, made it only the second month this year, after February, to see below-average sunshine for the UK.
“Temperatures were above average for October, although not record-breaking, and rainfall for the UK falls just below average, although with much regional variation.”
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