Rochester Logs Unseasonably Warm October

October's average high ran 3.5 degrees above normal, with a peak of 82 degrees on October 13.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Current Conditions

Late-autumn trees with amber and gold leaves line a curving river under a warm, hazy sky, with a stone embankment in the foreground. — Rochester recorded an unseasonably warm October, with the average high running 3.5 degrees above normal and a peak of 82 degrees on October 13. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you think Rochester's weather is getting warmer than it used to be?

Rochester recorded unseasonably warm temperatures throughout October 2026, with an average temperature of 53.3 degrees against a normal of 52.2 degrees. The month's average high of 64.7 degrees ran 3.5 degrees above normal.

Why it matters

The warm stretch continues to shape daily conditions for Rochester residents heading into November. Forecasters expect above-average November temperatures across the city and much of the northern United States.

October 2026's average temperature was 53.3 degrees, compared with a normal of 52.2 degrees, and the average high was 64.7 degrees, 3.5 degrees above normal. The month's peak of 82 degrees on October 13 fell one degree short of the 1995 record of 83 degrees.

The details

The October 29 high of 76 degrees tied and replaced a record from 1896, and Halloween's high of 56 degrees ran above its average of 55 degrees. November opened with a high of 68 degrees, and Election Day, November 3, is likely to top 70 degrees.

October 13, 2026: Highest temperature of the month reached 82 degrees.
October 29, 2026: High of 76 degrees tied and replaced an 1896 record.
November 1, 2026: Temperature reached a high of 68 degrees.
November 3, 2026: Election Day is expected to surpass 70 degrees.

Seasonal Patterns

This October's 82-degree peak came within one degree of the 1995 record of 83 degrees, placing the warm spell just short of a benchmark that has stood for three decades. The month's 3.5-degree high anomaly also runs against the normal seasonal cooling that Rochester typically sees by late October.

Residents planning outdoor activities through early November should expect mild conditions rather than seasonal cold. Long-range model trends do not show Rochester dropping into real cold for at least the next few weeks.

The takeaway

Warmer-than-normal weather is likely to continue into November, so residents should plan for mild days rather than the cold typical of the season. Checking the Current Conditions section will keep you updated on shifting forecasts.