Avg High
Cairns in May
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
11h
What to expect
May in Cairns is late autumn, a shoulder-season window, so you can get a bit of variety across the month. The month is warm and inviting for long walks, with only small changes from morning to evening. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing. The daylight window is balanced for full days without endless late evenings.
May in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Cairns.
Hottest (avg)
#8 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#7 / 12
Daylight Hours
#10 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#1 / 12
Highest UV
#10 / 12
Most Humid
#6 / 12
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 11.3 h
- UV index (max)
- 7
- Typical sun hours
- 06:32 - 17:52
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 15 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 56%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 78%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for May. Typical high 25.4°C and low 21.5°C.
Typical disruptions in May
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in May.
Humidity High impact
Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 38% of days (11.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.8 days / month
~38% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.8 days / month
- Probability ~38% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23°C (P95)
Muggy conditions are possible on ~12 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain High impact
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 9% of days (2.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.9 days / month
~9% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.9 days / month
- Probability ~9% of days
- Intensity Up to ~32mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 9% of days (2.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.8 days / month
~9% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.8 days / month
- Probability ~9% of days
- Intensity Up to ~32mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~3 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 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 ~70km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Heat Moderate
Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). 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 ~34°C (P95)
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Show all disruptions (18 more)
Rain High impact
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 3% of days (1.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.0 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.0 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~55mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.7 days/month in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.7 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.7 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~43mm (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
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~73km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain High impact
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). 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 ~76mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Humidity Minor
Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 76% of days (23.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
23.5 days / month
~76% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 23.5 days / month
- Probability ~76% of days
- Intensity Up to ~22°C (P95)
Humid conditions are possible on ~23 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Humidity Minor
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 61% of days (18.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
18.8 days / month
~61% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 18.8 days / month
- Probability ~61% of days
- Intensity Up to ~91% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~19 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Wind Minor
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 59% of days (18.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
18.4 days / month
~59% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 18.4 days / month
- Probability ~59% of days
- Intensity Up to ~62km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~18 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain Minor
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 57% of days (17.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
17.8 days / month
~57% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 17.8 days / month
- Probability ~57% of days
- Intensity Up to ~10mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~18 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 48% of days (14.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
14.8 days / month
~48% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 14.8 days / month
- Probability ~48% of days
- Intensity Up to ~98% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~15 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 46% of days (14.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
14.2 days / month
~46% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 14.2 days / month
- Probability ~46% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~14 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain Minor
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 33% of days (10.1 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
10.1 days / month
~33% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 10.1 days / month
- Probability ~33% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~10 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Heat Minor
Warm nights Measures: Warm nights (min >=22C). Observed about 25% of days (7.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.7 days / month
~25% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.7 days / month
- Probability ~25% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24°C (P95)
Warm nights are possible on ~8 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cloud Minor
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 20% of days (6.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
6.2 days / month
~20% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 6.2 days / month
- Probability ~20% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~6 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humidity Minor
Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 9% of days (2.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.9 days / month
~9% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.9 days / month
- Probability ~9% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23°C (P95)
Convective risk signal appears on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 5% of days (1.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.6 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.6 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Visibility Minor
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~98% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Other Minor
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~98 (P95)
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heat Minor
Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 0.1 days/month in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.1 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.1 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~34°C (P95)
Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Frequently asked questions
Is May a good time to visit Cairns?
Typical May days in Cairns reach highs of 25°C (77°F) with nights around 22°C (72°F). It usually feels warm by day and mild after dark. Overall, May sits in the middle of the Cairns climate range.
What are temperatures like in May?
In May, you can usually expect highs of 25°C (77°F) and lows near 22°C (72°F). That means warm days and mild nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.
How much does it rain in May?
Rainfall in May averages 55 mm (2.2 in) across roughly 15 days. Overall it is a very wet 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 11 hours of daylight in May. Sunrise is typically around 06:32 and sunset near 17:52. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.
How strong is the sun in May?
UV levels are often high (around 7). Regular sunscreen and a hat are recommended.
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 72 km/h (45 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.