Australia weather in May
Australia in May averages 16°C (61°F) and 14 mm of rain. It is one of the driest months of the year here.
Of the twelve months in Australia, May is the fourth coldest and the fourth driest.
- Average temp
- 16°C (61°F)
9–23°C · 49–73°F
- Rainfall
- 14 mm
Not much rain
- Sunshine
- —
What is Australia like in May?
Daytime
Days are mild.
Rain
Rain is usually light.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What should I pack for Australia in May?
A warm mid-layer
Nights drop to around 9°C (49°F).
May compared with April and June
May in Australia is 4.9°C cooler than April and about as wet as it, which averages 21°C (70°F).
May in Australia is 4°C warmer than June and about as wet as it, which averages 12°C (54°F).
Daylight in Australia in May
On 15 May the sun is up for 10 hours 53 minutes in Australia, rising about 07:04 and setting about 17:57 local time.
May ends 29 minutes shorter than it begins, so the last week of the month is a different length of day from the first.
That is 2 hours 49 minutes short of December, the longest-lit month here.
Travel guides for Australia
What to read before you book.
Australia weather by month
TemperatureRainfall
How May compares with the rest of the year
May is highlighted. Every other month links to its own page.
| Month | Average | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C / 86°F | 23 mm |
| February | 29°C / 83°F | 37 mm |
| March | 25°C / 78°F | 16 mm |
| April | 21°C / 70°F | 13 mm |
| May | 16°C / 61°F | 14 mm |
| June | 12°C / 54°F | 16 mm |
| July | 12°C / 54°F | 15 mm |
| August | 14°C / 58°F | 5 mm |
| September | 20°C / 67°F | 8 mm |
| October | 22°C / 72°F | 20 mm |
| November | 26°C / 78°F | 23 mm |
| December | 27°C / 81°F | 33 mm |
Check another month
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FAQs about Australia in May
May climate averages for Australia, 1991–2020.
Australia averages 16°C (61°F) in May, ranging from about 9°C (49°F) at night to 23°C (73°F) in the afternoon. That is a 1991–2020 average, so an individual week can run either side of it.
Barely. May sees only about 14 mm, so rain is unlikely to affect your plans.
Yes. May averages 16°C (61°F) against 12°C (54°F) in June — 4°C warmer.
May is 4.9°C cooler than April, and about as wet.
It is outside the easiest window. The most comfortable stretch here is September to December; May sits outside it, which usually means more heat, more rain, or both — worth it if you would rather have the place to yourself.
This page does not show today's weather. It is a 1991–2020 climate normal from Meteostat — a long-run average of what May is usually like, which is what you want when booking months ahead. For today or the coming week, check a live forecast.
About 10 hours 53 minutes of daylight in mid-May, against 13 hours 42 minutes in December and 10 hours 34 minutes in June.
On 15 May, sunrise is about 07:04 and sunset about 17:57 local time. Both shift across the month — the month ends 29 minutes shorter than it starts.
