Mid-autumn · Weather & things to do
Ithaca in October
Ithaca cools off: highs slip to 61°F (16°C), from 76°F in September, with lows of 44°F (6°C) and about 4.3 in (108 mm) of rain.
It scores 74/100 for comfort, 6th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 61°F (16°C)
- Avg low
- 44°F (6°C)
- Rain
- 4.3 in (108 mm)
- Humidity
- 80%
- Cloud cover
- 69%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 49 min
- Comfort score
- 74/100 · Good
What October feels like
Days are mild at around 61°F (16°C): comfortable for walking all day, with a layer for the evening.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 44°F (6°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 4.3 in (108 mm).
Plan around October
October is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (May & June and August & September).
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 8°C (15°F) from September.
- Comfort slips from 81/100 in September to 74/100.
- October sits inside the May – Oct window our Finger Lakes Wine Trail route recommends.
What to pack for October
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 44°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 4.3 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Ithaca in October
October is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Cornell Botanic Gardens
Herb gardens, arboretum and gorge trails on the Cornell campus.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best May–Oct.
Ithaca Falls
150-foot falls a short walk from downtown, the tallest of the city's gorges.
Why now October scores 74/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Ithaca Farmers Market
Lakeside pavilion market with farm stands and prepared food from local vendors.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best saturday morning, Apr–Dec.
Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art
Free I.M. Pei-designed art museum with a 5th-floor view over Cayuga Lake.
Sheldrake Point Winery
Lakeside Cayuga winery known for Riesling and ice wine.
Nearby in October
- Keuka Lake in October~34 mi · highs 60°F, 3.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Seneca Lake in October~38 mi · highs 60°F, 4.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Prince Edward County in October~114 mi · highs 57°F, 3.1 in rain · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, drier
- Hudson in October~139 mi · highs 62°F, 4.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~401 m to Ithaca's ~121 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.
Ithaca in October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Ithaca?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 74/100 against a best of 82 in May & June and August & September. Expect highs of 61°F (16°C) and 4.3 in (108 mm) of rain. October is inside the May – Oct window our Finger Lakes Wine Trail route recommends.
How cold is Ithaca in October?
Average highs are 61°F (16°C) and average lows 44°F (6°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Ithaca in October?
Some: about 4.3 in (108 mm) of rain falls across October on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 42.2 in (1071 mm).
What should I pack for Ithaca in October?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 44°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 4.3 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in October
- Finger Lakes Wine Trail May – Oct
Planning Ithaca in October?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.