Sarasota weather in October

In October, Sarasota sees average daytime highs of 82°F and overnight lows near 72°F, with 2.6 in of rain across 7.7 wet days and about 11.3 hours of daylight. It is the 6th-warmest and 5th-wettest month of the year here.

Highs ease over the month, from about 84°F in the first days to 80°F by the end. The sky is clear or mostly clear about 49% of the time in October, and the air most often feels oppressive.

Daylight stretches from about 11 h 42 min at the start of October to 11 hours by month's end. Set against the rest of the year, October is Sarasota's 7th-clearest and 4th-windiest month. For the whole year in context, see Sarasota's year-round climate.

Daytime high
82°
6th warmest
Overnight low
72°
7th coldest
Rainfall
2.6 in
7.7 wet days
Daylight
11 h 18 min
6:35 AM – 5:55 PM
Cloud cover
47%
7th clearest
Wind
9 mph
4th windiest
Solar energy
4.62 kWh/m²
Travel score
6.6
out of 10

Sarasota is city in and county seat of Sarasota County, Florida, United States.

Density
844/km²
people per km²
Founded
1763

Air quality: WHO Ambient Air Quality Database. Density & description: Wikidata (CC0), GeoNames.

Temperature in October

Average highAverage lowShaded bands: 10–90% of days

Highs ease over the month, from about 84°F in the first days to 80°F by the end.

A typical October day in Sarasota reaches about 82°F in the afternoon and slips back to 72°F overnight — a 10°F spread between the day's warmth and the night's chill. On most days the high lands between 78°F and 86°F. Set against its neighbours, October runs about 3°F cooler than September and about 6°F warmer than November.

60°70°80°90°151015202531
Avg high (°F)Avg low (°F)
18475
28475
38475
48474
58474
68474
78474
88474
98373
108373
118373
128373
138373
148372
158272
168272
178271
188271
198271
208271
218170
228170
238170
248169
258069
268069
278069
288069
298068
307968
317968

How October really feels in Sarasota

Once humidity and wind are folded in, October averages 1 day that feel above 90°F and 0 that feel at or below 32°F — the comfort signal a plain temperature reading hides.

Days feeling ≥ 90°F
1
heat index over the day's high
Days feeling ≤ 32°F
0
wind chill below the day's low

The story in October is heat — humidity pushes the afternoon "feels like" well above the raw temperature.

Sarasota weather by month

How October compares with the rest of the year at a glance. October is the 6th-warmest and 5th-wettest month here — the current month is highlighted below.

MonthHigh / Low (°F)Rainfall (inches)Wet daysDaylight (hours)Travel score
Jan69° / 57°2.35.710.57.2
Feb70° / 58°1.65.3117.4
Mar73° / 62°2.05.311.87.9
Apr78° / 67°1.95.312.67.8
May83° / 72°2.27.913.36.6
Jun85° / 77°5.818.213.74.2
Jul86° / 78°5.421.613.63.6
Aug87° / 78°6.023133.4
Sep85° / 77°6.017.512.24.2
Oct82° / 72°2.67.711.36.6
Nov76° / 64°1.53.810.68.1
Dec71° / 60°1.85.210.37.6

Cloud cover in October

ClearMostly clearPartly cloudyMostly cloudyOvercast

The sky is clear or mostly clear about 49% of the time in October.

Beyond those clear spells, partly cloudy skies cover about 15% of October, with mostly cloudy or overcast conditions the remaining 36%. Skies tend to open up as the month goes on.

0%25%50%75%100%151015202531
Clearer (%)Cloudier (%)
15446
25545
35644
45743
55842
65941
76040
86238
96238
106238
116337
126436
136535
146634
156634
166733
176733
186733
196733
206733
216733
226733
236733
246733
256733
266733
276832
286832
296832
306832
316832

Chance of precipitation in October

Any precipitation

Sarasota gets around 2.6 in of rain over 7.7 wet days in October. The line is the day-by-day chance of measurable precipitation.

Day to day, the chance of measurable rain averages around 25% and peaks near 41% on the wettest days. The odds ease toward the end of the month.

0%10%20%30%40%50%151015202531
Rain chance (%)
141
240
338
436
535
633
732
830
929
1028
1127
1226
1325
1424
1524
1623
1722
1822
1922
2021
2121
2220
2320
2420
2519
2619
2718
2817
2917
3016
3116

Humidity in October

DryComfortableHumidMuggyOppressiveMiserable

Most of October feels oppressive — the stacked bands show each day's mix of comfort levels, read off the dew point.

By dew point, October lands in the oppressive band about 41% of days. Sticky, muggy-or-worse air turns up on roughly 71% of them.

0%25%50%75%100%151015202531
Dry (%)Comfortable (%)Humid (%)Muggy (%)Oppressive (%)Miserable (%)
1126185914
2126186013
3137195812
4137205811
5138215710
614822569
714923549
8151024528
9251125507
10251126497
11261226476
12361327466
13371427445
14371527434
15471627424
16481728403
17581828393
18591928372
19691928362
20792028352
217102128331
228102127321
239102227311
249102227301
2510112228291
2610112328281
2710112328271
2811122328251
2911122328241
3012122328231
3113132328221

Wind in October

Winds average 9 mph in October.

Across October, daily wind ranges from about 8 mph on the calmest days to 9 mph at its breeziest. It stays fairly steady from day to day.

051015151015202531
Wind speed (mph)Feels
18light breeze
29light breeze
39light breeze
49light breeze
59light breeze
69light breeze
79light breeze
89light breeze
99light breeze
109light breeze
119light breeze
129light breeze
139light breeze
149light breeze
159light breeze
169light breeze
179light breeze
189light breeze
199light breeze
209light breeze
219light breeze
229light breeze
239light breeze
249light breeze
259light breeze
269light breeze
279light breeze
289light breeze
299light breeze
309light breeze
319light breeze

Sunrise & sunset in October

DaylightNight

Daylight runs from about 11 h 42 min at the start of October to 11 hours by month's end. The lit band spans sunrise to sunset each day.

Days shrink by about 42 minutes over October. Sunrise moves from 6:27 AM to 6:45 AM, and sunset from 6:11 PM to 5:43 PM.

12 AM4 AM8 AM12 PM4 PM8 PM12 AM151015202531
Daylight (h)Sunrise (AM)Sunset (PM)
111.76:276:11
211.76:276:10
311.76:286:09
411.76:286:08
511.66:296:07
611.66:296:06
711.66:306:05
811.66:306:04
911.56:316:02
1011.56:326:01
1111.56:326:00
1211.46:335:59
1311.46:335:58
1411.46:345:57
1511.46:345:56
1611.36:355:55
1711.36:365:54
1811.36:365:53
1911.36:375:52
2011.26:375:52
2111.26:385:51
2211.26:395:50
2311.26:395:49
2411.16:405:48
2511.16:415:47
2611.16:415:46
2711.16:425:46
2811.06:435:45
2911.06:435:44
3011.06:445:43
3111.06:455:43

Solar energy in October

Daily solar energy (kWh/m²)

Average shortwave solar energy reaching the ground each day in October, about 4.62 kWh/m².

For context, solar energy here swings from a low near 3.39 kWh/m² to a high of 6.86 kWh/m² in May across the year — October's 4.62 kWh/m² falls in the middle.

024151015202531
Solar energy (kWh/m²)Level
14.8Bright
24.8Bright
34.8Bright
44.8Bright
54.8Bright
64.8Bright
74.8Bright
84.8Bright
94.7Bright
104.7Bright
114.7Bright
124.7Bright
134.7Bright
144.7Bright
154.7Bright
164.7Bright
174.6Bright
184.6Bright
194.6Bright
204.6Bright
214.5Bright
224.5Bright
234.5Bright
244.5Bright
254.5Bright
264.4Bright
274.4Bright
284.4Bright
294.3Bright
304.3Bright
314.3Bright
Planning a trip in October

Hazard calendar for Sarasota

In seasonPeak

In October, Sarasota sits inside its atlantic hurricane season. The full year is below, with each hazard's peak months called out.

Sarasota sits in the Atlantic hurricane belt; the season peaks August–October.

Sarasota's rainy season runs June–September, when most of the year's rain falls.

Atlantic hurricane
Rainy season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Is October a good time to visit Sarasota?

Our two travel scores rate October for general sightseeing and for beach or pool weather — 0 (poor) to 10 (ideal).

6.6
Sightseeing
7th-best month of the year
7.3
Beach & pool
2nd-best month of the year

October is a reasonable time to visit Sarasota for sightseeing. The water and warmth also suit a beach or pool day.

What to pack for Sarasota in October

From October's temperature range, rain chance, sun and wind — what's worth putting in the bag.

In October, Sarasota sees daytime highs around 82°F and nights near 72°F. Pack light clothes. Worth having: sun protection. About 8 days see rain.

light clothessun protection

Sea temperature near Sarasota in October

The nearest coast averages about 81°F in October — the other half of the beach question. The full-year curve and swim-comfort zones are below.

The sea offshore is warmest in August at about 86°F and coldest in February near 65°F.

It's comfortable for a long swim from Mar 13 to Dec 26 — about 9.5 months when the water holds above 68°F.

60°70°80°90°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDeccoolrefreshingwarmtropicalcomfortable to swim
Sea temperature (°F)Comfort
Jan65Cool
Feb65Cool
Mar68Refreshing
Apr73Refreshing
May78Warm
Jun83Tropical
Jul85Tropical
Aug86Tropical
Sep85Tropical
Oct81Warm
Nov74Refreshing
Dec69Refreshing

UV index in Sarasota in October

LowModerateHighVery highExtreme

Clear-sky midday UV in October peaks around 8 — enough to warrant sun protection. The full-year curve, shaded by WHO exposure level, is below.

Under clear skies, the midday UV index in Sarasota peaks around July 14 at about 11 (extreme) — sunscreen, a hat and midday shade are essential. It bottoms out near December 19 at about 4 (moderate).

The index reaches 3 or more — the level where the WHO recommends sun protection — every month of the year.

025710JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecHighVery highExtremeVery highHighModerateJul 14UV 11Dec 19UV 4
UV index (midday)Level
Jan5Moderate
Feb7High
Mar9Very high
Apr9Very high
May10Very high
Jun11Extreme
Jul11Extreme
Aug10Very high
Sep9Very high
Oct8Very high
Nov6High
Dec4Moderate

Air quality in Sarasota in October

GoodModeratePoorUnhealthyVery unhealthy

Average fine-particle pollution (PM2.5) through the year — so you can see where October falls, not just the annual average.

Air quality in Sarasota is worst in July — around 18 µg/m³ PM2.5 (moderate), about 2.5× the cleanest month (November, 7 µg/m³).

Modeled monthly averages (CAMS reanalysis, 2015–2024).

01020JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecGoodModerateGoodJul 1717 µg/m³Nov 217 µg/m³
PM2.5 (µg/m³)Level
Jan7Good
Feb9Good
Mar10Good
Apr12Good
May11Good
Jun15Moderate
Jul18Moderate
Aug16Moderate
Sep11Good
Oct8Good
Nov7Good
Dec7Good
Location & terrain

Where is Sarasota?

Sarasota sits at 27.3°N, 82.5°W, 23 ft above sea level, in United States. The nearest listed city is Bayshore Gardens, 7.5 mi away.

Topography around Sarasota

How much the land rises and falls, and what covers it, within 2, 10 and 50 miles of Sarasota.

Within 2 miles, the terrain around Sarasota has only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 69 ft around an average of 23 ft above sea level; within 10 miles, only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 95 ft; within 50 miles, only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 384 ft.

The land around Sarasota is covered by artificial surfaces (43%), trees (30%) and water (20%) within 2 miles, water (41%) and trees (27%) within 10 miles, and water (43%), trees (27%) and grassland (20%) within 50 miles.

2 miles
69 ft
10 miles
95 ft
50 miles
384 ft
treesgrasslandcroplandartificial surfaceswatermangroves
October weather nearby: Bayshore Gardens 7.5 mi · South Bradenton 9.3 mi · Bradenton 12 mi · Venice 17 mi · North Port 27 mi · Ruskin 27 mi · Sun City Center 29 mi · St. Petersburg 31 mi

United States travel facts

Power plugs
Type A / B
120 V · 60 Hz
Prices
≈ 100% of US
price level, 2025
GDP per capita
$90,027
2025
Happiness
6.8 / 10
World Happiness, 2025
Safe drinking water
98%
of population, 2024
Homicide rate
5.8
per 100k, 2023
Road deaths
12.7
per 100k/yr, 2019
Income group
High
World Bank
Religion
Protestant 47%unaffiliated 23%Roman Catholic 21%Jewish 2%

Sources: World Bank, US State Department, World Happiness Report, WHO/UNICEF, EF EPI, CIA World Factbook.

Data sources

Temperature, precipitation, cloud, humidity, wind and solar figures are a 1991–2020 climatology for Sarasota (27.3364°, -82.5306°, elevation 23 ft), computed from hourly ERA5 reanalysis — contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Sun figures are astronomical calculations, not observations. City data © GeoNames, CC BY 4.0. Map outlines from Natural Earth (public domain); interactive map © Google. Tropical-cyclone seasons are the published climatological basin seasons (NOAA National Hurricane Center / regional warning centres). Sea temperatures are the NOAA OISST v2.1 1991–2020 monthly climatology (public domain), sampled at the nearest ocean point. UV index is derived from CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) clear-sky UV data — contains modified Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information. Monthly air-quality (PM2.5) seasonality is from the CAMS EAC4 reanalysis (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service), scaled to the WHO annual mean where available. Topography is sampled from the Copernicus DEM GLO-90 elevation model (© ESA/Airbus) and ESA WorldCover 2021 land cover (CC BY 4.0).