How this year's Halloween weather forecast compares to previous years

31 October 2024, 15:43 | Updated: 31 October 2024, 19:36

Whatever Halloween celebrations you have planned for this evening, the night certainly won't be memorable for the weather!

But the mild and mostly dry conditions may convince even the most reluctant parents to escort their children on a trick or treat expedition. More so than pouring rain, anyway.

For reference, the warmest Halloween was a decade ago, 2014, when Kew Gardens recorded a daytime high of 23.6C - that's a summer-like 74/75F.

In contrast, the coldest was 90 years ago, in 1934, when the most royal of residences, Balmoral, recorded a daytime high of just 0.6C (33F).

But, of course, Halloween is a most uncivilised celebration insomuch as it's usually celebrated at night, so it's back to 2014 when nighttime temperatures in Prestatyn held up at 15.8C (60F).

Some of the costumes worn that night probably proved a little warm. Nothing worse than a sweaty ghost - all the wrong optics!

Check the forecast for your area

For the coldest Halloween night, we're looking at 1922 when the mercury in Braemar fell to -8.8C (16F).

That location also holds the record, twice won, for the coldest-ever temperatures recorded in the UK: -27.2C (-17F) in both 1895 and 1982.

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It would seem the climate there doesn't persuade many would-be residents, as the 2001 census records just 800 people.

However enthusiastic your offspring, it barely makes it worth heading out for a handful of treats!

The wettest, windiest, and sunniest

1968 was the wettest Halloween, with 158.9mm (6.25 inches) reported in Tollymore Park, County Down.

1977 was the windiest, with a maximum gust of 110 mph (177kmh) in Gwennap Head, Cornwall.

1997 was the sunniest, with 9.4 hours of sunshine reported in Bognor Regis, West Sussex.

So, comparatively, we all escape quite lightly this evening.

While there will be extensive cloud cover across much of the county, any breaks in that cloud will lead to some misty murky swirling fog. Great for a spooky party - not so great if you're travelling.