Avg High
Adelaide in May
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
10h
What to expect
May in Adelaide is late autumn, a shoulder-season window, so you can get a bit of variety across the month. The month is mostly mild for steady exploring, with a noticeable cool-down after sunset. The daylight window is balanced for full days without endless late evenings. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing.
May in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Adelaide.
Hottest (avg)
#8 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#4 / 12
Daylight Hours
#10 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#11 / 12
Highest UV
#10 / 12
Most Humid
#4 / 12
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 10.3 h
- UV index (max)
- 4
- Typical sun hours
- 08:02 - 18:21
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 11 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 52%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 72%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for May. Typical high 16.9°C and low 10.7°C.
Typical disruptions in May
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in May.
Rain High impact
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 12% of days (3.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.6 days / month
~12% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.6 days / month
- Probability ~12% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 7% of days (2.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.3 days / month
~7% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.3 days / month
- Probability ~7% of days
- Intensity Up to ~83km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wind High impact
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 4% of days (1.1 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.1 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.1 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~83km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain Moderate
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 12% of days (3.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.6 days / month
~12% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.6 days / month
- Probability ~12% of days
- Intensity Up to ~22mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cold Moderate
Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 10% of days (3.1 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.1 days / month
~10% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.1 days / month
- Probability ~10% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~3 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Show all disruptions (15 more)
Rain High impact
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 1.0 days/month in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.0 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.0 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~23mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Wind disruption Measures: Disruptive wind days. Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.3 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.3 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~95km/h (P95)
Disruptive wind is possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wind High impact
Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~95km/h (P95)
Severe gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain Moderate
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 5% of days (1.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.5 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.5 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~26mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain Minor
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 43% of days (13.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
13.2 days / month
~43% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 13.2 days / month
- Probability ~43% of days
- Intensity Up to ~15mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~13 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 42% of days (12.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
12.9 days / month
~42% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 12.9 days / month
- Probability ~42% of days
- Intensity Up to ~97% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~13 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 34% of days (10.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
10.5 days / month
~34% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 10.5 days / month
- Probability ~34% of days
- Intensity Up to ~19h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~11 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind Minor
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 29% of days (8.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.9 days / month
~29% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.9 days / month
- Probability ~29% of days
- Intensity Up to ~75km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~9 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Humidity Minor
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 26% of days (8.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.0 days / month
~26% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.0 days / month
- Probability ~26% of days
- Intensity Up to ~89% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~8 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Rain Minor
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 25% of days (7.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.9 days / month
~25% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.9 days / month
- Probability ~25% of days
- Intensity Up to ~20h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~8 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cloud Minor
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 15% of days (4.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.5 days / month
~15% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.5 days / month
- Probability ~15% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~5 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind Minor
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 9% of days (2.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.7 days / month
~9% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.7 days / month
- Probability ~9% of days
- Intensity Up to ~37km/h (P95)
Breezy conditions are possible on ~3 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 4% of days (1.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.2 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.2 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind Minor
Windy days Measures: Windy days (mean wind >=35 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.3 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.3 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~40km/h (P95)
Strong mean winds are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Cold Minor
Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold nights are possible on ~0 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Frequently asked questions
Is May a good time to visit Adelaide?
Typical May days in Adelaide reach highs of 17°C (63°F) with nights around 11°C (52°F). It usually feels mild by day and cool after dark. Overall, May sits in the middle of the Adelaide climate range.
What are temperatures like in May?
In May, you can usually expect highs of 17°C (63°F) and lows near 11°C (52°F). That means mild days and cool nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.
How much does it rain in May?
Rainfall in May averages 52 mm (2.0 in) across roughly 11 days. Overall it is a quite rainy time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.
How many hours of daylight are there in May?
You can expect about 10 hours of daylight in May. Sunrise is typically around 08:02 and sunset near 18:21. Days are on the shorter side, so plan activities around limited daylight.
How strong is the sun in May?
UV levels are moderate (around 4); sunscreen and sunglasses are still a good idea.
Is it windy in May?
In May, average wind speeds are around 14 km/h (9 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 57 km/h (35 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.