Mid-autumn · Weather & things to do
New Hampshire in October
The year's rain peaks now, with about 4.9 in (124 mm) falling in New Hampshire, alongside highs near 60°F (16°C) and lows of 42°F (6°C).
It scores 73/100 for comfort, 6th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 60°F (16°C)
- Avg low
- 42°F (6°C)
- Rain
- 4.9 in (124 mm)
- Humidity
- 80%
- Cloud cover
- 62%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 47 min
- Comfort score
- 73/100 · Good
What October feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 60°F (16°C), good for long walks.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 42°F (6°C).
Expect regular rain: about 4.9 in (124 mm) falls in the month.
Plan around October
October is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (May and September).
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (October – December), which brings about 12.6 in (319 mm) in total.
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 8°C (14°F) from September.
- Comfort slips from 87/100 in September to 73/100.
- October sits inside the Sep – Oct window our New England Fall Foliage route recommends.
What to pack for October
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 42°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in New Hampshire in October
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Polly's Pancake Parlor
Family-run since 1938, serving pancakes from house-ground flours with mountain views.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 4.9 in of rain.
Woodstock Inn Brewery
Brewpub with an outdoor patio in North Woodstock, a natural end to a notch day.
Why now Easy to slot in when October's rain moves in.
Flume Gorge
Two-mile loop on boardwalks through a granite gorge with waterfalls and covered bridges.
Kancamagus Highway
34.5-mile scenic road between Lincoln and Conway with no services and wide overlooks.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best late Sep–mid Oct.
Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewing Co.
Barbecue and house beers in North Conway at the east end of the Kancamagus.
Why now Keeps part of the day dry on wetter October days.
Nearby in October
- Portsmouth in October~42 mi · highs 58°F, 5.3 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Woodstock in October~56 mi · highs 58°F, 4.6 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Boston in October~63 mi · highs 62°F, 4.8 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Portland, Maine in October~73 mi · highs 56°F, 5.7 in rain · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~259 m to New Hampshire's ~91 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.
New Hampshire in October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit New Hampshire?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 73/100 against a best of 87 in May and September. Expect highs of 60°F (16°C) and 4.9 in (124 mm) of rain. October is inside the Sep – Oct window our New England Fall Foliage route recommends.
How cold is New Hampshire in October?
Average highs are 60°F (16°C) and average lows 42°F (6°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in New Hampshire in October?
Yes: about 4.9 in (124 mm) of rain falls across October on average, the wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 45.4 in (1153 mm).
What should I pack for New Hampshire in October?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 42°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on New Hampshire
Routes in season in October
- New England Fall Foliage Sep – Oct
Planning New Hampshire in October?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.