United States New York Weather in May — Climate Guide
May in New York is Excellent
May is Excellent for New York.
May is genuinely NYC's best-weather month. Temperatures 22-25°C / 72-77°F daytime, 12-15°C evenings, longer daylight (sunset 8:15 PM), and the city's outdoor culture at peak. Central Park, rooftop bars, outdoor restaurants all at their best.
Memorial Day weekend (last weekend of May) marks the unofficial start of summer in NYC. Fleet Week brings Navy ships and sailors to NY Harbor — Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum hosts events. The weekend is often considered the start of summer Hamptons season.
Travel score
New York May Weather Stats
Avg High
22°C
Avg Low
12°C
Rainy Days
12
115mm total
Sunshine
9h
Daily avg
Humidity
64%
Comfortable
UV Index
8
Very high
Wind
13 km/h
Gusts 25
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
May Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
21 μg/m³
PM10
30 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
22°C
Nighttime
12°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
13 km/h
Max gust 25 km/h
Activities Recommended for May
May Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best weather of the year (22-25°C, low humidity)
- Long daylight (sunset 8:15 PM)
- Fleet Week and Memorial Day kicks off summer
Cons
- Hotel prices match April peak
- Memorial Day weekend crowds
- Met Gala day (first Monday) closes the museum to public
May Events & Festivals
- 5th Avenue Mile (mid-May, Sunday)
- TriBeCa Film Festival continues
- Memorial Day weekend (last weekend of May) — start of summer in NYC
- Fleet Week (Memorial Day weekend) — Navy ships in NY Harbor
New York in May — Full Picture
May is genuinely NYC's best-weather month. Temperatures 22-25°C / 72-77°F daytime, 12-15°C evenings, longer daylight (sunset 8:15 PM), and the city's outdoor culture at peak. Central Park, rooftop bars, outdoor restaurants all at their best.
Memorial Day weekend (last weekend of May) marks the unofficial start of summer in NYC. Fleet Week brings Navy ships and sailors to NY Harbor — Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum hosts events. The weekend is often considered the start of summer Hamptons season.
Hotel prices remain at spring peak. Crowds are heavy at iconic sights but still less crushing than July-August summer. Book hotels and Broadway 3-4 weeks ahead.
For day trips, May is ideal — Hudson Valley wine tours (Storm King Art Center, West Point), Long Island vineyards, Boston (Acela train 3.5h), Philadelphia (Amtrak 1.5h) all easy day trips with comfortable weather.
Met Museum's annual Costume Institute Gala (Met Gala) is first Monday of May — biggest fashion event. Public can't attend the gala itself but the steps of the Met host paparazzi gathering 4-6 PM, free to watch from across 5th Avenue. Iconic celebrity-watching opportunity.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Spring/light summer — short sleeves with light cardigan. Daytime warm (22-25°C), evenings cooler (12-15°C). Sunscreen essential.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current16.7°C
7°C
12/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
28.7°C
19°C
10.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
18.7°C
10.3°C
9.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
5.3°C
-1.7°C
10.3/mo
New York Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4° | -3° | 11d·84mm | 5h | 64% | 1 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 6° | -2° | 10d·78mm | 6h | 64% | 2 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 11° | 2° | 12d·95mm | 7h | 62% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 17° | 7° | 12d·110mm | 8h | 60% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 22° | 12° | 12d·115mm | 9h | 64% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 27° | 17° | 11d·105mm | 10h | 65% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| 30° | 20° | 10d·105mm | 10h | 64% | 9 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 29° | 20° | 10d·105mm | 9h | 67% | 8 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| September (Best) | 25° | 16° | 9d·100mm | 8.5h | 68% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| October (Best) | 19° | 10° | 9d·95mm | 8h | 65% | 5 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 12° | 5° | 10d·95mm | 6h | 65% | 3 | Busy | Peak | |
| 6° | 0° | 10d·90mm | 5h | 64% | 1 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
New York May Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May a good time to visit New York?
New York in May is Excellent. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in New York in May?
New York May averages a high of 22°C and a low of 12°C.
Does it rain much in New York in May?
New York May averages 115mm of rainfall over about 12 rainy days.
What should I wear in New York in May?
Spring/light summer — short sleeves with light cardigan. Daytime warm (22-25°C), evenings cooler (12-15°C). Sunscreen essential.
What time are sunrise and sunset in New York in May?
New York May sunrise is 05:50 and sunset is 20:10, with 14h 20m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in New York in May?
New York May air quality (AQI) averages 50, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 21μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in New York in May?
In May, New York is great for Met Gala steps watching (first Monday), Memorial Day Fleet Week, Central Park outdoor.
Is May peak season in New York?
New York May crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit New York
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.