Weather in Salou in May

How May compares

May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Salou and ranks 77th of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Within Spain it is 34th of 87 (Spain in May). Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Salou is 5.8°C warmer by day and 5.2°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Salou peaks at 22.4°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 26.0°C or more. Roughly 1 in 5 days top 25°C and 1 in 125 pass 30°C. Nights average 13.5°C; one night in ten drops to 10.3°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 32.5°C (2010-05-31) and the coldest night 6.5°C (2001-05-01).

Rain in May

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 7 days with 1 mm or more, 49 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 2008 with 160 mm, the driest 2006 with 3 mm. Humidity averages 68%.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 17.5°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 16.6°C to 18.2°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (26.0°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 7.3 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 14.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:37 and sets about 21:06 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 49%.

Is May a good time to visit Salou?

It is a reasonable choice: warm days. The best months for Salou on our scoring are July, June, August; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Warm days, with cooler edges

Salou is noticeably warmer than London in May: its average daytime high is 5.8°C higher than London's 16.6°C. That makes light daytime clothing a sensible starting point, with something warmer ready when the temperature drops. Days reaching 25°C account for 19% of the month, while 30°C is unusual at 1%, so strong heat is possible but not the normal experience. The coldest 10% of nights fall to 10.3°C or below, which is a reason to pack more than shorts and T-shirts. May suits travellers who prefer warmth without regular hot days, provided cool evenings are not a deal-breaker.

Plenty of daylight, but leave plans flexible

There are about 7.3 hours of sunshine within 14.3 hours of daylight, giving you a long window for outdoor plans without promising clear skies throughout. About 7 rainy days means some interruption is a realistic part of a May holiday, though that does not mean each wet day is a washout. Pack a light waterproof and keep your plans flexible enough to move beach time to a brighter spell. You do not need to treat rain as the defining feature of the month, but booking on the assumption of uninterrupted sunshine would be optimistic. Sun protection still belongs in your bag.

Beach weather is not the same as swimming weather

The sea is the clearest reason to think carefully before choosing May. Its average temperature is 17.5°C, with a year-to-year range of 17°C to 18°C, so a warm afternoon does not translate into warm water. If swimming comfortably is central to your holiday, this is a weak point rather than a minor detail. Beach time can still fit well into brighter, warmer days, but plan it around relaxing on land rather than expecting long swims. Bring a dry layer for afterwards if you do go in. May makes more sense for travellers who regard the sea as optional, not the main reason to travel.