Your May weather guide
MildWeather in Paris in May
May is a good time for Paris if you prefer mild weather for walking rather than reliable warmth. Average daytime highs of 18.6°C are comfortable for being out and about, but nights fall to 9.5°C, so evenings need an extra layer. The catch is rain: about 12 days have measurable rainfall. For a UK traveller, this is a modest step towards warmer weather, not a trip where you can confidently leave the jacket behind.
Long-term climate averages for Paris, not a forecast · 1991-2020
Paris, month by month
Your snapshot
At a glance
The useful details for Paris.
- Average daytime high
- 18.6°C
- 9 in 10 days stay below 24°C
- Average night-time low
- 9.5°C
- coldest 10% of nights: 6°C or lower
- Compared with London
- +2.0°C
- London averages 16.6°C in May
- Sunshine per day (est.)
- 5.3h
- 35% of 15.1 h of daylight
- Rainy days (1 mm+)
- 12
- 66 mm over the month
- Humidity
- 73%
- Days over 25°C
- 7%
- 0% over 30°C
- Record high 1991-2020
- 30.7°C
- 2005-05-27
- Record low 1991-2020
- 0.7°C
- 1997-05-07
- Flight from London
- ≈ 1 h 6 min
- 313 km, short-haul (estimate for a direct flight)
Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.
How May compares
May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Paris and ranks 132nd of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Within France it is 2nd of 2 (France in May). Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Paris is 2.0°C warmer by day and 1.2°C warmer at night.
Daytime and night-time in May
The typical May day in Paris peaks at 18.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 24.1°C or more. Roughly 1 in 15 days top 25°C and 1 in 500 pass 30°C. Nights average 9.5°C; one night in ten drops to 5.5°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 30.7°C (2005-05-27) and the coldest night 0.7°C (1997-05-07).
Rain in May
Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 12 days with 1 mm or more, 66 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 2016 with 170 mm, the driest 2011 with 4 mm. Humidity averages 73%.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 5.3 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 15.1 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:09 and sets about 21:25 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 65%.
Is May a good time to visit Paris?
May is not the strongest month here: mild days and frequent rain. The best months for Paris on our scoring are July, August, June.
Comfortable afternoons, but pack for cool evenings
Pack layers rather than a summer-only wardrobe. A light top may be enough during warmer afternoons, while a jumper and jacket give you flexibility when temperatures drop. The warmest days reach 24.1°C or more, so there can be spells that feel properly warm, but they are not the baseline for your trip. At the other end, the coldest nights fall to 5.5°C or lower, making late walks or sitting outside much less comfortable without something substantial to put on. May suits travellers who find hot city days tiring and do not mind carrying an extra layer for the evening.
Long daylight does not mean continuous sunshine
May gives you about 15.1 hours of daylight, leaving plenty of flexibility for time outdoors, but average sunshine is only 5.3 hours a day. Plan for a mixture of brighter and cloudier conditions rather than assuming long days will be sunny throughout. With rain a regular possibility, a waterproof jacket, compact umbrella and shoes that cope with wet pavements are sensible choices. Keep outdoor plans flexible and leave room to spend time indoors when it rains. This is a reasonable month for a city break if you can adapt your day, but less suitable if dry weather is central to your enjoyment.
A little perspective
Paris through the year
May is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.
| Month | Day | Night | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.1°C | 1.9°C | 2.1 | 52 | 11 | 0% |
| February | 8.3°C | 1.7°C | 2.9 | 47 | 10 | 0% |
| March | 11.8°C | 3.6°C | 4.0 | 51 | 10 | 0% |
| April | 15.1°C | 5.9°C | 5.1 | 50 | 11 | 1% |
| MaySelected | 18.6°C | 9.5°C | 5.3 | 66 | 12 | 7% |
| Junebest | 21.8°C | 12.8°C | 6.1 | 58 | 11 | 20% |
| Julybest | 24.2°C | 14.9°C | 6.6 | 54 | 10 | 39% |
| Augustbest | 24.3°C | 14.8°C | 6.0 | 58 | 9 | 38% |
| September | 20.6°C | 12.0°C | 5.1 | 48 | 8 | 13% |
| October | 16.1°C | 9.1°C | 3.3 | 61 | 11 | 1% |
| November | 10.7°C | 5.2°C | 2.3 | 58 | 12 | 0% |
| December | 7.5°C | 2.5°C | 2.0 | 68 | 13 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
Keep exploring
Similar in May
Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.
A little more detail
Paris in May FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Is Paris hot in May?
Paris is mild in May: the average daytime high is 18.6°C and nights average 9.5°C. Roughly 1 in 15 May days reach 25°C.
How much does it rain in Paris in May?
Paris sees about 12 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 66 mm of rain in a typical May. The wettest May between 1991 and 2020 was 2016 (170 mm) and the driest was 2011 (4 mm).
How sunny is Paris in May?
Paris gets around 5.3 hours of sunshine a day in May out of 15.1 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).
How does Paris compare with the UK in May?
Paris is on average 2.0°C warmer than London by day in May (18.6°C against 16.6°C).
What is the hottest May on record in Paris?
Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day in Paris reached 30.7°C on 2005-05-27, and the coldest night dropped to 0.7°C on 1997-05-07.
Is Paris warmer than London in May?
Yes, but the difference is modest. Paris has an average daytime high of 18.6°C, compared with 16.6°C in London. Expect a little more warmth rather than a different climate, and keep the same practical approach to layers and rain protection.
Can I expect hot weather in May?
Warm afternoons are possible, but hot weather is not a sound basis for booking. About 7% of days reach 25°C, while the share reaching 30°C is 0%. Pack something light for warmer spells, without relying on them.
Would a later month be better for warmer weather?
If warmth is your priority, June, July or August are better choices overall. May is better approached as a mild-weather city break, with cooler evenings and a need for flexible plans when rain arrives.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Paris. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C