Mid-autumn · Weather & things to do
Duluth in October
Duluth cools off: highs slip to 53°F (12°C), from 69°F in September, with lows of 38°F (3°C) and about 3.2 in (81 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 64/100, 6th of 12.
- Avg high
- 53°F (12°C)
- Avg low
- 38°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 3.2 in (81 mm)
- Humidity
- 80%
- Cloud cover
- 64%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 37 min
- Comfort score
- 64/100 · Good
What October feels like
Cool days top out near 53°F (12°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 38°F (3°C).
Some rain is likely, about 3.2 in (81 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around October
October sits mid-table; the best months are June – September.
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 9°C (16°F) from September.
- Comfort slips from 86/100 in September to 64/100.
- October sits inside the Jun – Oct window our Minnesota North Shore route recommends.
What to pack for October
- Insulated jackethighs only 53°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 3.2 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Duluth in October
October is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Skyline Parkway
Ridge road above the city with overlooks of the harbor and lake.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best late Sept–early Oct.
Duluth Lakewalk
Paved shoreline path from Canal Park toward Brighton Beach along Lake Superior.
Why now October scores 64/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Aerial Lift Bridge
Rising bridge over the ship canal that lifts for 1,000-foot lake freighters.
Why now Highs near 53°F and 3.2 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Duluth Grill
Local-sourcing diner in West Duluth with hearty breakfasts.
Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
Free museum by the canal on Great Lakes shipping and shipwrecks.
Nearby in October
- Grand Marais in October~106 mi · highs 52°F, 3.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Minneapolis in October~137 mi · highs 56°F, 2.8 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Decorah in October~241 mi · highs 58°F, 2.9 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Door County in October~266 mi · highs 55°F, 3.7 in rain · 1°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~354 m to Duluth's ~200 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Duluth in October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Duluth?
It's middling, scoring 64/100. The best months are June – September, at up to 86. Expect highs of 53°F (12°C) and 3.2 in (81 mm) of rain. October is inside the Jun – Oct window our Minnesota North Shore route recommends.
How cold is Duluth in October?
Average highs are 53°F (12°C) and average lows 38°F (3°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Duluth in October?
Some: about 3.2 in (81 mm) of rain falls across October on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 30.8 in (782 mm).
What should I pack for Duluth in October?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 53°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 3.2 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in October
- Minnesota North Shore Jun – Oct
Planning Duluth in October?
Share this October plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.