Monthly climate guide
Washington, D.C. weather in May
With highs near 23°C (74°F) and lows around 13°C (56°F), May feels warm in Washington, D.C.. Rainfall averages about 111 mm (wet) and the sky is often cloudy. Daytime highs are 5°C warmer than April and 4°C cooler than June.
What stands out in May
- May brings late spring to Washington, D.C..
- It warms up quickly from here: by June highs are about 5°C higher.
- Just 150 km apart, but Washington, D.C. runs about 2°C cooler than Richmond this month.
Avg high
23°C
74°F
Avg low
13°C
56°F
Rainfall
111 mm
wet
Humidity
80%
relative
Sky
63%
cloud · often cloudy
Washington, D.C. weather by month
Show the monthly averages as a table
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Humidity | Cloud cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C / 40°F | -4°C / 25°F | 71 mm | 82% | 61% |
| February | 7°C / 44°F | -2°C / 28°F | 74 mm | 81% | 64% |
| March | 11°C / 52°F | 1°C / 33°F | 81 mm | 79% | 60% |
| April | 18°C / 64°F | 7°C / 44°F | 91 mm | 76% | 60% |
| May | 23°C / 74°F | 13°C / 56°F | 111 mm | 80% | 63% |
| June | 28°C / 82°F | 18°C / 64°F | 118 mm | 75% | 57% |
| July | 31°C / 88°F | 21°C / 70°F | 130 mm | 70% | 54% |
| August | 30°C / 86°F | 20°C / 68°F | 126 mm | 71% | 55% |
| September | 27°C / 80°F | 17°C / 62°F | 102 mm | 72% | 55% |
| October | 20°C / 68°F | 10°C / 50°F | 109 mm | 77% | 53% |
| November | 13°C / 55°F | 3°C / 37°F | 75 mm | 78% | 52% |
| December | 8°C / 46°F | 0°C / 32°F | 98 mm | 84% | 65% |
What to pack for May
- T-shirts plus a light layer for the evening
- Comfortable trainers or sandals for long walks
- A compact umbrella or packable rain jacket
- Water-resistant shoes
Is May a good time to visit Washington, D.C.?
Compare the months in the chart above to find your ideal window.
Best time to visit Washington, D.C. →Other United States cities in May
Cite or embed this data
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Washington, D.C. weather in May. WeatherCompare, 2026 (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020 monthly averages). https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/washington-d-c/may
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/washington-d-c/may">Washington, D.C. weather in May</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/usa/washington-d-c" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="Washington, D.C. weather in May"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/usa/washington-d-c/may">Washington, D.C. weather in May</a> – WeatherCompare</p>
Washington, D.C. in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Washington, D.C.?
May is one of the wetter months in Washington, D.C., with about 111 mm of rain. You can still go: pack a rain jacket and keep plans flexible.
How warm is Washington, D.C. in May?
Average highs are about 23°C (74°F) and average lows about 13°C (56°F), based on 10 years of daily data.
Does it rain a lot in Washington, D.C. in May?
Washington, D.C. typically gets around 111 mm of rain in May — wet.
Figures are long-term averages for the area around Washington, D.C. (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020), not a forecast for a specific year. For upcoming days, see the live multi-source forecast.