Dullest October in almost 60 years for the UK
The UK experienced one of its dullest Octobers on record, with limited sunshine, according to provisional data from the Met Office. The month began with the naming of the first storm of the season, Amy, and continued as a typical autumn month marked by above-average temperatures, slightly below-average rainfall, and well-below-average sunshine.
Sunshine Records and Regional Impact
The UK recorded just 63.3 hours of sunshine throughout October, making it the third dullest October since the Met Office began keeping sunshine records in 1910. Only the years 1960 and 1968 experienced less sunshine.
Wales and Northern Ireland faced their second dullest October, with Northern Ireland especially affected, receiving only about 41% of its usual sunshine hours for the month.
Scientific Insight
“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.” — Dr Emily Carlisle, Met Office scientist
She added that temperatures were above average for October but did not break records. Rainfall was slightly below average overall, though it varied significantly by region.
Temperature Details
The UK’s mean temperature for October was provisionally 0.7°C above the long-term meteorological average. Scotland and Northern Ireland experienced temperatures slightly warmer than the rest of the country.
Summary
This October ranked among the dullest in nearly six decades, characterized by scarce sunshine, mild temperatures, and variable rainfall across the UK.