Dullest October in almost 60 years for the UK

The UK experienced one of its dullest Octobers on record, with very limited sunshine, according to provisional figures from the Met Office. The month began with the naming of the season's first storm, Amy.

October then followed a typical autumn pattern, ending with above-average temperatures, slightly below-average rainfall, and considerably below-average sunshine hours.

Sunshine and Regional Impact

The UK recorded just 63.3 hours of sunshine throughout October, making it the third dullest October since the Met Office started the sunshine series in 1910. Only 1960 and 1968 had less sunshine.

Wales and Northern Ireland experienced their second dullest October, with Northern Ireland notably low on sunshine, receiving only about 41% of its usual October sunshine.

Expert Commentary

“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,” said Met Office scientist Dr Emily Carlisle.

“Temperatures were above average for October, although not record-breaking, and rainfall for the UK falls just below average, although with much regional variation.”

Temperature and Rainfall

Temperatures were higher than the long-term meteorological average for October but did not approach record levels. The mean temperature across the UK was provisionally 0.7°C above average, with Scotland and Northern Ireland slightly warmer.

Rainfall was just below average, varying significantly across regions.

Summary

October 2025 stood out as one of the dullest in decades, marked by low sunshine, mild temperatures, and uneven rainfall across the UK.

Met Office — 2025-11-04