Mid-autumn · Weather & things to do
Portsmouth in October
Portsmouth cools off: highs slip to 58°F (15°C), from 69°F in September, with lows of 49°F (9°C) and about 5.3 in (135 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 69/100, 6th of 12.
- Avg high
- 58°F (15°C)
- Avg low
- 49°F (9°C)
- Rain
- 5.3 in (135 mm)
- Humidity
- 80%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 47 min
- Comfort score
- 69/100 · Good
What October feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 58°F (15°C), good for long walks.
Nights cool to an average low of 49°F (9°C).
Expect regular rain: about 5.3 in (135 mm) falls in the month.
Plan around October
October sits mid-table; the best months are September.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (October – December), which brings about 15.6 in (395 mm) in total.
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 6°C (10°F) from September.
- Comfort slips from 88/100 in September to 69/100.
- October sits inside the May – Oct window our Boston to Portland route recommends.
What to pack for October
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 49°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes5.3 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Portsmouth in October
October is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
The Black Trumpet
Bistro and upstairs wine bar in an old waterfront building.
Why now October scores 69/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
USS Albacore Museum
Walk through a 1953 experimental submarine on dry land.
Ceres Bakery
Long-running downtown bakery for coffee, scones and soup.
Odiorne Point State Park
Rocky shoreline trails and tide pools, plus the Seacoast Science Center.
Why now Highs near 58°F and 5.3 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Market Square
Brick-lined center of town with shops, cafés and the North Church spire.
Nearby in October
- New Hampshire in October~42 mi · highs 60°F, 4.9 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Portland, Maine in October~48 mi · highs 56°F, 5.7 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Boston in October~51 mi · highs 62°F, 4.8 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- White Mountains in October~87 mi · highs 36°F, 5.1 in rain or snow · 13°C (23°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Portsmouth in October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Portsmouth?
It's middling, scoring 69/100. The best months are September, at up to 88. Expect highs of 58°F (15°C) and 5.3 in (135 mm) of rain. October is inside the May – Oct window our Boston to Portland route recommends.
How cold is Portsmouth in October?
Average highs are 58°F (15°C) and average lows 49°F (9°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Portsmouth in October?
Yes: about 5.3 in (135 mm) of rain falls across October on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 52.6 in (1337 mm).
What should I pack for Portsmouth in October?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 49°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (5.3 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in October
- Boston to Portland May – Oct
Planning Portsmouth 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.