01Weather
New York City weather in May
Afternoons in May average 21.5 °C (71 °F) and nights cool to 13.4 °C (56 °F). The month brings about 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain spread over roughly 9 days. Compared with April it is 5.2 °C warmer; June is 5.7 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 28 °C / 82 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 15 °C / 59 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 9 °C / 49 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 1.6 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Days with snow cover | 0.0 | snow depth ≥ 1 cm, per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 29 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest May day 2016–2025 | 33.9 °C / 2.2 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 05:54 | 19:51 | 14.0 h |
| 15 May | 05:38 | 20:05 | 14.5 h |
| 31 May | 05:27 | 20:20 | 14.9 h |
Daylight grows by about 54 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/New_York).
03Crowds
How busy New York City is in May
busy The main sights are busy in May. What drives it:
- Memorial Day weekend
- Fleet Week
- Met Gala
- graduations
04Public holidays
Public holidays in May 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 31 May 2027 | Memorial Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in New York City in May
Every year in May
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Fleet Week | late May | festival |
07Packing
What to pack for New York City in May
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
May is one of the best months, with afternoons around 22 °C, long evenings, Fleet Week ships on the Hudson in the last week and Memorial Day weekend opening the beach season at Coney Island and the Rockaways. The Met Gala closes Fifth Avenue for an evening on the first Monday. Hotel rates are high but the weather justifies it. Rain falls on about eleven days.
Shakespeare in the Park opens at the Delacorte in late May with free tickets by lottery. The Ninth Avenue International Food Festival and the Bronx Zoo's spring crowds fill weekends. The Statue of Liberty crown tickets need months of notice from now on. Daylight passes fourteen and a half hours. For Pride, the Governors Ball and the start of the summer peak, see June.
09Compare
New York City month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5 °C | -1 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
| February | 8 °C | 1 °C | 9 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 11 °C | 3 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 16 °C | 8 °C | 8 | – | busy | Good |
| May | 22 °C | 13 °C | 9 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 27 °C | 19 °C | 9 | – | very busy | Good |
| July | 31 °C | 23 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| August | 29 °C | 22 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| September | 26 °C | 19 °C | 6 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 20 °C | 13 °C | 7 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 13 °C | 6 °C | 7 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| December | 8 °C | 1 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Off-season |
Not sure about May? See the best time to visit New York City.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto in May | 19 °C | 8 |
| Orlando in May | 32 °C | 4 |
| Miami in May | 31 °C | 9 |
| Cancún in May | 31 °C | – |
| Las Vegas in May | 31 °C | 0 |
| Vancouver in May | 18 °C | 9 |
11FAQ
New York City in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit New York City?
May is one of the best months to visit New York City. Daytime highs average 22 °C (71 °F), rain falls on about 9 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in New York City in May?
Expect mild days around 22 °C (71 °F) and nights near 13 °C (56 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 28 °C, and one in ten stays below 15 °C.
Does it rain a lot in New York City in May?
May brings about 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain over roughly 9 days, which is fairly dry by New York City standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 29 percent.
What should I wear in New York City in May?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella for occasional showers.
Is New York City crowded in May?
The main sights are busy in May. Main drivers: Memorial Day weekend; Fleet Week; Met Gala.
What time does it get dark in New York City in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 20:05 and rises at 05:38, giving 14.5 hours of daylight.