Halloween 2026 Weather Forecast: Where It Will Rain on Trick-or-Treaters and the Best Time to Go Out
Halloween 2026 falls on a Saturday, and the weather is splitting the country in two. The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic look dry and pleasant for trick-or-treating, while a Pacific storm is bringing rain to parts of California, Arizona, Nevada and the Intermountain West, along with showers in parts of the Plains and the South. Fox Weather says more than 20 states could see rain at some point on Halloween. In several Western cities, the best advice from local forecasters is simple: go out early.
Here’s what the forecasts say region by region, which cities could break decades-long dry streaks, and how to keep kids comfortable if the weather turns.
Halloween 2026 weather at a glance
- Northeast and Mid-Atlantic: Dry under high pressure, with daytime highs in the low to mid-60s and evenings dropping into the 40s.
- Southern California: Light, scattered showers during the day, turning more widespread in the evening, with the heaviest rain overnight into Sunday.
- Phoenix and central Arizona: Mostly dry trick-or-treat hours are possible, but evening showers can’t be ruled out, and much heavier rain arrives Saturday night and Sunday.
- Utah: Generally dry for most of the state on Halloween evening, with isolated showers possible, especially in southwest Utah.
- Northwest: Cooler than usual, so warmer costumes and extra layers are a good idea even where it stays dry.
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic: the best trick-or-treating weather
If you live between Washington, D.C. and Boston, you’re in luck. The Weather Channel expects high pressure to keep rain and snow away, with pleasant temperatures for late October and no wind problems. Fox Weather puts daytime highs in the low to mid-60s, with temperatures falling into the 40s after dark.
The one thing to plan for is the chill after sunset, especially in New England. A costume that fits over a jacket or a warm base layer will keep younger kids out longer. The nice weather won’t last, though: Fox Weather says a larger storm system is expected to bring rain and gusty winds to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Sunday.
Southern California: rain likely during trick-or-treating
Southern California is where Halloween looks wettest for families walking door to door.
Los Angeles and Orange County
NBC Los Angeles laid out a timeline: light, scattered showers for most of Saturday, rain becoming more widespread around 6 p.m., light showers continuing around 9 p.m., and heavier rain from about midnight into Sunday morning. The station expects 0.25 to 1 inch of rain across most of Los Angeles and Orange counties, with up to 2 inches possible on some mountain slopes, and says the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval will likely be dampened.
The forecaster’s tip was blunt: the earlier you go trick-or-treating, the better, because the rain chance rises as the evening goes on. Roads will also be slick, so drivers should slow down in neighborhoods full of kids.
San Diego
San Diego could see its first measurable Halloween rain in decades. According to 10News San Diego, isolated light showers continue into Saturday afternoon, then rain turns scattered to widespread but still mostly light during trick-or-treating. The heaviest rain is expected overnight Saturday into Sunday morning, when localized flooding and a slight chance of thunderstorms are possible. Temperatures around 7 p.m. should be in the mid-60s on the coast and inland, in the low 50s in the mountains and in the low 70s in the deserts.
Fox Weather notes San Diego has had only nine Halloweens with measurable rain since 1850, the most recent in 1987. Outdoor attractions are watching the sky too: NBC 7 San Diego reported that the Haunted Trail at Balboa Park would shut down if heavy rain arrives and would post any closure on its Instagram account.
Phoenix: a 39-year dry streak could end
Rain on Halloween is almost unheard of in Phoenix. KTAR News reports that Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the city’s official weather station, has recorded measurable rain on Oct. 31 only nine times in 130 years of records, most recently in 1987.
The good news for families is that trick-or-treat hours may stay mostly dry. A National Weather Service meteorologist told KTAR that showers could start developing by mid-Saturday evening, but most of the rain should hold off until later Saturday night and Sunday. Sunday is expected to be the wettest day, with 1 to 2 inches possible in the Phoenix area and 2 to 3 inches in higher terrain. Arizona’s Family put the chance of rain Saturday evening around 30% and expects cooler highs in the mid to upper 70s, so this is one of the rare years Valley kids won’t overheat in their costumes.
Fox Weather also says central Arizona, including Phoenix, is under a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk on Halloween. Avoid driving through flooded washes and low-water crossings.
Utah and the Intermountain West
An atmospheric river is heading toward Utah, but KSL says most of the heavy rain and mountain snow should come after Halloween. Isolated showers are possible Saturday, especially in southwest Utah, but it should be a generally dry evening for most of the state. Highs along the Wasatch Front are forecast in the low to mid-60s, falling into the mid-50s by 9 p.m., so a jacket will help.
Elsewhere in the West, The Weather Channel says parts of Nevada and Oregon could also see rain Saturday evening, and some higher parts of the Sierra Nevada could get snow.
Plains, Midwest and South
Fox Weather’s outlook also includes rain across parts of the Gulf Coast, the Deep South and the Midwest, while parts of the Plains and Upper Midwest stay dry. AccuWeather says showers and thunderstorms could spread into Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana between Friday and Saturday. Forecasts can shift by neighborhood, so check your local National Weather Service forecast or a trusted local station a few hours before you head out.
How to handle a rainy Halloween
- Go early. In Southern California and Arizona, rain chances climb as the night goes on, so a late-afternoon or early-evening start gives you the best window.
- Make rain gear part of the costume. A clear poncho over a costume keeps it visible, and an umbrella can be decorated to match.
- Stay visible. Rain and early darkness cut visibility. Add reflective tape or a flashlight to costumes, and drivers should go extra slow in residential areas.
- Dress in layers. Even in dry areas, temperatures will drop into the 40s or 50s in many places after sunset.
- Have a backup plan. Malls, community centers and churches often run indoor trick-or-treat events, and many outdoor attractions post weather closures on social media.
- Remember the clock change. Daylight saving time ends early Sunday, so you get an extra hour of sleep after a late Halloween night. Here’s what to know about clocks falling back on Nov. 1.
If you’re still finishing a costume or stocking up on candy, our guide to Halloween 2026 costs, top costumes and how to save has tips on stretching your budget. And if the candy bowl is already on your mind, here’s what the November SNAP candy and soda changes mean in four states.
Frequently asked questions
Will it rain on Halloween 2026?
It depends on where you live. The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are expected to be dry, while parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, the Plains, the Midwest and the South could see rain. Southern California looks most likely to get rain during trick-or-treating hours.
What’s the best time to trick-or-treat if rain is coming?
Earlier is better in the West. In Los Angeles, rain is expected to become more widespread around 6 p.m., and in Phoenix and San Diego the heaviest rain is forecast for late Saturday night into Sunday.
When did it last rain on Halloween in Phoenix and San Diego?
Both cities last recorded measurable rain on Halloween in 1987, according to KTAR News and Fox Weather.
Is trick-or-treating canceled because of rain?
Trick-or-treating isn’t run by any one agency, so it usually goes ahead unless a city or neighborhood says otherwise. Organized events can close for heavy rain, so check their social media pages before you go.
Forecasts change quickly. This article reflects forecasts published Oct. 27 to Oct. 30, 2026; check your local forecast before heading out.
Featured image: “Jack-O-Lantern at night” by Alabama Extension, via Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
