Weather in Singapore in May

How May compares

May is the 3rd warmest month of the year in Singapore and ranks 27th 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, Singapore is 12.3°C warmer by day and 17.8°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Singapore peaks at 28.9°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 29.9°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 11 pass 30°C. Nights average 26.1°C; one night in ten drops to 25.2°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day here reached 31.1°C (2020-05-21) and the coldest night 24.4°C (2020-05-03).

Rain in May

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 28 days with 1 mm or more, 224 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 2020 with 412 mm, the driest 2000 with 110 mm. Humidity averages 84%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 30.1°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 29.5°C to 30.7°C. This is the warmest the sea gets here all year.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 2.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.1 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:56 and sets about 19:06 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 79%.

Is May a good time to visit Singapore?

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

The heat stays with you after sunset

The main consideration is sustained warmth, not just the afternoon peak. With humidity at 84%, May can feel sticky, so loose, breathable clothing and a relaxed pace make more sense than a packed outdoor schedule. Keep demanding walks away from midday and allow time for indoor breaks. Average night lows of 26.1°C mean you should not count on cool evenings for recovery; light clothing remains useful after dark. Days reaching 30°C account for only 9%, but that does not make this mild weather. May is among Singapore's hotter months and is better suited to travellers who tolerate persistent warmth than those who prefer crisp mornings and cooler nights.

Leave room to change your outdoor plans

Rain is a routine part of the May outlook, rather than an occasional inconvenience. About 28 rainy days means a rain-ready day bag is more useful than relying on a dry forecast for the whole trip. Carry a compact umbrella or lightweight waterproof and choose footwear you can cope with getting wet. The frequency does not mean rain falls all day, but it does make rigid outdoor plans a poor fit. Sunshine averages about 2.5 hours within 12.1 hours of daylight, so long daylight should not be mistaken for clear skies. May works best if you are happy to shift activities around wet weather rather than build the holiday around sunshine.