Monthly climate guide
New York weather in May
With highs near 17°C (63°F) and lows around 12°C (53°F), May feels mild in New York. Rainfall averages about 118 mm (wet) and the sky is often cloudy. Daytime highs are 5°C warmer than April and 5°C cooler than June.
What stands out in May
- In New York, May is late spring.
- Temperatures are climbing — June is around 5°C warmer.
- Days and nights are close, only about 5°C apart.
- Keep a flexible plan: if showers roll in, shift Empire State Building to a drier part of the day.
Avg high
17°C
63°F
Avg low
12°C
53°F
Rainfall
118 mm
wet
Humidity
85%
relative
Sky
65%
cloud · often cloudy
New York weather by month
Show the monthly averages as a table
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Humidity | Cloud cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C / 38°F | -1°C / 29°F | 124 mm | 82% | 61% |
| February | 4°C / 40°F | -1°C / 30°F | 116 mm | 82% | 63% |
| March | 7°C / 44°F | 2°C / 35°F | 117 mm | 80% | 59% |
| April | 12°C / 53°F | 6°C / 43°F | 109 mm | 82% | 63% |
| May | 17°C / 63°F | 12°C / 53°F | 118 mm | 85% | 65% |
| June | 22°C / 72°F | 17°C / 63°F | 110 mm | 83% | 58% |
| July | 27°C / 80°F | 22°C / 71°F | 133 mm | 80% | 55% |
| August | 26°C / 79°F | 21°C / 70°F | 135 mm | 78% | 53% |
| September | 23°C / 74°F | 18°C / 65°F | 92 mm | 78% | 54% |
| October | 18°C / 64°F | 13°C / 55°F | 126 mm | 78% | 57% |
| November | 12°C / 53°F | 6°C / 43°F | 117 mm | 79% | 55% |
| December | 7°C / 45°F | 3°C / 37°F | 155 mm | 83% | 67% |
What to pack for May
- A warm sweater or fleece for layering
- A mid-weight jacket
- A compact umbrella or packable rain jacket
- Water-resistant shoes
Is May a good time to visit New York?
Our New York guide recommends: April to June or September to November, avoiding the humid peak of summer and the coldest weeks of winter.
Get a 7-day unlimited MetroCard (or use contactless tap) if you're staying more than a couple of days — it's far cheaper than single rides.
Best time to visit New York →Other United States cities in May
Cite or embed this data
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New York weather in May. WeatherCompare, 2026 (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020 monthly averages). https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/new-york/may
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/new-york/may">New York weather in May</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/usa/new-york" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="New York weather in May"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/new-york/may">New York weather in May</a> – WeatherCompare</p>
New York in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit New York?
Yes. May is one of the best months for New York, with highs around 17°C and about 118 mm of rain.
How warm is New York in May?
Average highs are about 17°C (63°F) and average lows about 12°C (53°F), based on 10 years of daily data.
Does it rain a lot in New York in May?
New York typically gets around 118 mm of rain in May — wet.
When is the best time to visit New York?
April to June or September to November, avoiding the humid peak of summer and the coldest weeks of winter.
Figures are long-term averages for the area around New York (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020), not a forecast for a specific year. For upcoming days, see the live multi-source forecast.