Weather in Montego Bay in May

How May compares

May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Montego Bay and ranks 13th of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Montego Bay is 13.6°C warmer by day and 15.9°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Montego Bay peaks at 30.2°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 31.7°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 2 pass 30°C. Nights average 24.2°C; one night in ten drops to 23.1°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day here reached 34.4°C (2020-05-25) and the coldest night 20.9°C (2017-05-13).

Rain in May

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 24 days with 1 mm or more, 215 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 2007 with 387 mm, the driest 1997 with 71 mm. Humidity averages 82%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 28.1°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 27.6°C to 28.5°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (29.6°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.9 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:38 and sets about 18:38 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 53%.

Is May a good time to visit Montego Bay?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. The best months for Montego Bay on our scoring are February, January, March; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Expect heat that carries on into the evening

Montego Bay feels considerably hotter than London in May, with average daytime highs 13.6°C higher. The heat is consistent rather than occasional: 62% of days reach 30°C, while humidity averages 82%. That combination makes a packed outdoor schedule less appealing than a slower pace with shade and cooling breaks. Put anything energetic earlier in the day rather than at midday, and pack light, loose clothing. Evenings offer limited relief, with average lows around 24°C, so do not expect the cool-down you might get at home. Accommodation with air conditioning is a sensible priority, especially if warm nights tend to disturb your sleep.

Rain is the main compromise

May is a wet choice, with about 24 days recording rain and 215.0 mm across the month. That makes it sensible to plan around the possibility of getting wet rather than treating rain as an unlikely interruption. The rainy-day figure does not mean every affected day is a washout, but it does argue against a holiday built entirely around dry outdoor time. Pack a light waterproof and keep your plans easy to rearrange. May suits travellers who value warmth more than dependable sunshine; if rain would spoil the trip for you, the better-rated months of February, January and March deserve a closer look.