Weather in Vienna in May

How May compares

May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Vienna. Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Vienna is 3.3°C warmer by day and 2.1°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Vienna peaks at 19.9°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 25.4°C or more. Roughly 1 in 8 days top 25°C and 1 in 333 pass 30°C. Nights average 10.4°C; one night in ten drops to 6.4°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day here reached 31.5°C (2005-05-29) and the coldest night 0.6°C (2017-05-10).

Rain in May

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 12 days with 1 mm or more, 73 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 1996 with 181 mm, the driest 2001 with 19 mm. Humidity averages 69%.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.3 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 15.0 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:15 and sets about 20:27 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 58%.

Is May a good time to visit Vienna?

May is not the strongest month here: mild days and frequent rain. The best months for Vienna on our scoring are August, July, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.

Comfortable daytime warmth, with layers for evenings

The usual daytime temperature suits exploring on foot without making heat the focus of your day. A light top may be enough when it feels warm, but keep a jumper or jacket handy rather than packing only summer clothes. Days reaching 25°C account for 13% of May, so a warmer afternoon is possible without being the norm. At the cooler end, the coldest 10% of nights fall to 6.4°C or below. That makes an extra layer useful if you plan to stay out late. May suits travellers who enjoy mild conditions and do not mind adjusting their clothing as the day cools.

Long daylight, but keep wet-weather plans flexible

May offers about 15 hours of daylight, giving you room to shift outdoor plans around the weather. That does not mean clear skies all day: average sunshine is about 6.3 hours daily, and rain is a meaningful part of the month's outlook. Pack a waterproof jacket and shoes you are comfortable walking in when pavements are wet. Keep indoor options available rather than committing every day to being outside. The monthly figures do not tell you how rain will fall during your stay, so avoid assuming either constant drizzle or brief showers. The practical judgement is to go prepared for wet spells, not to rule May out.