New York City weather in May
New York City in May averages 18°C (64°F) and 101 mm of rain.
Of the twelve months in New York City, May is the fifth warmest and the sixth wettest.
- Average temp
- 18°C (64°F)
12–23°C · 54–73°F
- Rainfall
- 101 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- —
- Wind
- 15 km/h
What is New York City like in May?
Daytime
Days are mild.
Rain
Some rain is likely; pack for showers.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What should I pack for New York City in May?
A light rain jacket
About 101 mm falls this month — showers rather than washouts.
A layer for the evening
The day swings about 11°C between its low and its high.
May compared with April and June
May in New York City is 5.6°C warmer than April and about as wet as it, which averages 12°C (54°F).
May in New York City is 5.2°C cooler than June and about as wet as it, which averages 23°C (73°F).
Daylight in New York City in May
On 15 May the sun is up for 14 hours 28 minutes in New York City, rising about 05:38 and setting about 20:06 local time.
May ends 54 minutes longer than it begins, so the last week of the month is a different length of day from the first.
That is 37 minutes short of June, the longest-lit month here.
Where to stay in New York City
Dates are a starting point for May.
Travel guides for New York City
What to read before you book.
New York City 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 | 1°C / 33°F | 88 mm |
| February | 2°C / 35°F | 76 mm |
| March | 6°C / 43°F | 105 mm |
| April | 12°C / 54°F | 98 mm |
| May | 18°C / 64°F | 101 mm |
| June | 23°C / 73°F | 110 mm |
| July | 26°C / 78°F | 119 mm |
| August | 25°C / 77°F | 105 mm |
| September | 21°C / 69°F | 97 mm |
| October | 14°C / 58°F | 96 mm |
| November | 9°C / 47°F | 85 mm |
| December | 3°C / 38°F | 105 mm |
Check another month
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FAQs about New York City in May
May climate averages for New York City, 1991–2020.
New York City averages 18°C (64°F) in May, ranging from about 12°C (54°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.
Some. About 101 mm falls across May, enough to need a light jacket but not enough to reshape a trip.
No. May averages 18°C (64°F) against 23°C (73°F) in June — 5.2°C cooler.
May is 5.6°C warmer than April, and about as wet.
Yes. May falls inside the most comfortable stretch of the year here, May to October, on temperature and rainfall together.
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 14 hours 28 minutes of daylight in mid-May, against 15 hours 5 minutes in June and 9 hours 16 minutes in December.
On 15 May, sunrise is about 05:38 and sunset about 20:06 local time. Both shift across the month — the month ends 54 minutes longer than it starts.
