01Weather
Vancouver weather in May
Afternoons in May average 18.1 °C (65 °F) and nights cool to 10.4 °C (51 °F). The month brings about 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain spread over roughly 9 days. Compared with April it is 4.3 °C warmer; June is 2.5 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 23 °C / 74 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 14 °C / 57 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 8 °C / 46 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | 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 | 29 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest May day 2016–2025 | 29.3 °C / 4.5 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 05:50 | 20:28 | 14.6 h |
| 15 May | 05:28 | 20:48 | 15.3 h |
| 31 May | 05:12 | 21:08 | 15.9 h |
Daylight grows by about 78 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/Vancouver).
03Crowds
How busy Vancouver is in May
busy The main sights are busy in May. What drives it:
- Victoria Day long weekend
- cruise season starts
- drier weather arrives
04Public holidays
Public holidays in May 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 24 May 2027 | Victoria 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 Vancouver in May
Every year in May
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise season to Alaska | May to September, Canada Place | travel |
07Packing
What to pack for Vancouver 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 the turning point: drier weather, mild days around 18 °C, the Victoria Day long weekend and the first Alaska cruise ships at Canada Place. Rhododendrons bloom in VanDusen and the Stanley Park gardens. It is one of the best-value months with good weather, before the summer peak. Rain falls on about nine days. The Vancouver Marathon runs on the first Sunday.
The Stanley Park seawall and the Kitsilano beaches fill on warm weekends. Whistler's ski season ends on the long weekend and the mountain-bike park opens. The Cloverdale Rodeo over the long weekend draws crowds to Surrey. Daylight passes fifteen and a half hours by month-end. For the long days and the Jazz Festival, see June.
09Compare
Vancouver month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8 °C | 3 °C | 16 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 7 °C | 3 °C | 16 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| March | 10 °C | 5 °C | 16 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| April | 14 °C | 7 °C | 13 | – | moderate | Good |
| May | 18 °C | 10 °C | 9 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 21 °C | 13 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| July | 24 °C | 15 °C | 4 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 24 °C | 16 °C | 4 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 20 °C | 13 °C | 9 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 14 °C | 8 °C | 13 | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 10 °C | 6 °C | 18 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| December | 7 °C | 3 °C | 17 | – | moderate | Mixed |
Not sure about May? See the best time to visit Vancouver.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco in May | 20 °C | 2 |
| Las Vegas in May | 31 °C | 0 |
| Los Angeles in May | 21 °C | 0 |
| Toronto in May | 19 °C | 8 |
| New York City in May | 22 °C | 9 |
| Orlando in May | 32 °C | 4 |
11FAQ
Vancouver in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit Vancouver?
May is one of the best months to visit Vancouver. Daytime highs average 18 °C (65 °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 Vancouver in May?
Expect mild days around 18 °C (65 °F) and nights near 10 °C (51 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 23 °C, and one in ten stays below 14 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Vancouver in May?
May brings about 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain over roughly 9 days, which is fairly dry by Vancouver standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 29 percent.
What should I wear in Vancouver in May?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella for occasional showers.
Is Vancouver crowded in May?
The main sights are busy in May. Main drivers: Victoria Day long weekend; cruise season starts; drier weather arrives.
What time does it get dark in Vancouver in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 20:48 and rises at 05:28, giving 15.3 hours of daylight.