Weather in New York in May

How May compares

May is the 5th warmest month of the year in New York and ranks 109th of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Within United States it is 6th of 6 (United States in May). Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, New York is 3.9°C warmer by day and 2.8°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in New York peaks at 20.5°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 27.8°C or more. Roughly 1 in 5 days top 25°C and 1 in 29 pass 30°C. Nights average 11.1°C; one night in ten drops to 6.6°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 33.5°C (2010-05-26) and the coldest night 0.7°C (2020-05-09).

Rain in May

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 11 days with 1 mm or more, 86 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 1998 with 171 mm, the driest 1993 with 32 mm. Humidity averages 72%.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 12.9°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 11.5°C to 14.0°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (23.1°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 14.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:39 and sets about 20:06 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 61%.

Is May a good time to visit New York?

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

Comfortable warmth, but pack for cooler spells

May suits travellers who prefer walking in moderate warmth to dealing with persistent heat. The average is not a promise, though: 20% of days reach 25°C, while the warmest days can reach 27.8°C or more. On those warmer days, lighter clothing and a break from the midday heat make sense. Cooler nights are the other side of the picture, with the coldest falling to 6.6°C or below. Pack layers that work together, including a jumper and jacket for evenings, rather than relying on light summer clothes. You should be ready for both a warm afternoon and a distinctly chilly return after dinner.

Allow for rain without writing off the day

Rain is a meaningful drawback in May, so this is not the month to choose if dry weather is essential to your plans. About 11 days receive measurable rain, enough to make a waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements sensible choices. That does not tell you how long each wet spell will last, so avoid assuming a rainy day means staying indoors throughout. Keep your outdoor plans flexible and have an indoor alternative ready. If your trip depends on spending nearly all your time outside, May asks for more tolerance of wet weather than its comfortable daytime temperatures might suggest.

Long daylight, but not beach weather

There is plenty of daylight to work with: about 14.3 hours a day gives you room to shift outdoor plans around the weather. Sunshine averages about 5.5 hours, however, so long days should not be confused with consistently sunny skies. Keep an extra layer with you if you plan to stay out into the evening, when temperatures are lower. The sea is another clear limitation. At an average of 12.9°C, it is cold, not a comfortable swimming prospect. May therefore makes more sense for a city break with time outdoors than for a holiday built around warm water and dependable sunshine.