01Weather
Dubai weather in May
Afternoons in May average 38.6 °C (101 °F) and nights cool to 28.2 °C (83 °F). The month brings about 0 mm (0.0 in) of rain spread over roughly 0 days. Compared with April it is 4.1 °C warmer; June is 2.8 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 42 °C / 108 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 34 °C / 94 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 25 °C / 77 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 30.3 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 0 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest May day 2016–2025 | 47.0 °C / 21.5 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 05:43 | 18:49 | 13.1 h |
| 15 May | 05:34 | 18:56 | 13.4 h |
| 31 May | 05:29 | 19:04 | 13.6 h |
Daylight grows by about 30 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Dubai).
03Crowds
How busy Dubai is in May
moderate The main sights are moderate in May. What drives it:
- temperatures above 38 °C
- hotel rates fall
05Events
What's on in Dubai in May
No major recurring events fall in May.
07Packing
What to pack for Dubai in May
- light, breathable clothing
- sun hat and sunscreen
- refillable water bottle
- something for heat: 30 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
May is the start of the real heat, with afternoons above 38 °C and the sea already warm as a bath at 29 °C. Hotel prices drop noticeably, and the city's indoor attractions, from Ski Dubai to the Dubai Aquarium and the Museum of the Future, come into their own. Beach time moves to early morning and after sunset. Rain is almost unknown.
The Dubai Summer Surprises sales season starts in late June, so May is the quiet gap between seasons with the best luxury-hotel rates of the spring. Eid al-Adha can fall in May or June in the late 2020s, bringing a multi-day holiday. The malls open until midnight at weekends, and the Dubai Fountain shows run every half hour in the evening. For visitors who can handle heat, May gives five-star hotels at a fraction of January rates. June and July are hotter still; see June.
09Compare
Dubai month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25 °C | 17 °C | 1 | – | very busy | Good |
| February | 26 °C | 18 °C | 2 | – | very busy | Good |
| March | 30 °C | 21 °C | 1 | – | busy | Good |
| April | 34 °C | 25 °C | 1 | – | busy | Good |
| May | 39 °C | 28 °C | 0 | – | moderate | Good |
| June | 41 °C | 31 °C | 0 | – | quiet | Good |
| July | 42 °C | 34 °C | 0 | – | quiet | Good |
| August | 42 °C | 33 °C | 0 | – | quiet | Good |
| September | 40 °C | 31 °C | 0 | – | moderate | Good |
| October | 36 °C | 28 °C | 0 | – | busy | Good |
| November | 32 °C | 23 °C | 1 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| December | 27 °C | 20 °C | 2 | – | very busy | Good |
Not sure about May? See the best time to visit Dubai.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Budapest in May | 22 °C | 12 |
| Rome in May | 24 °C | 5 |
| Venice in May | 21 °C | 10 |
| Prague in May | 19 °C | 11 |
| Copenhagen in May | 16 °C | – |
| Bangkok in May | 36 °C | 22 |
11FAQ
Dubai in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit Dubai?
May is a good month to visit Dubai. Daytime highs average 39 °C (101 °F), rain falls on about 0 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Dubai in May?
Expect hot days around 39 °C (101 °F) and nights near 28 °C (83 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 42 °C, and one in ten stays below 34 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Dubai in May?
May brings about 0 mm (0.0 in) of rain over roughly 0 days, which is dry by Dubai standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 0 percent.
What should I wear in Dubai in May?
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun hat and sunscreen, refillable water bottle.
Is Dubai crowded in May?
The main sights are moderate in May. Main drivers: temperatures above 38 °C; hotel rates fall.
What time does it get dark in Dubai in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 18:56 and rises at 05:34, giving 13.4 hours of daylight.