Avg High
Darwin in May
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
12h
What to expect
Darwin is in late autumn during May, a shoulder-season stretch where conditions can nudge warmer or cooler week to week. Afternoons often feel hot in direct sun, and a gentle drop-off once the sun goes down. Conditions tend to feel steady, which makes planning simple. You get a comfortable daylight window for day trips and sightseeing.
May in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Darwin.
Hottest (avg)
#5 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#9 / 12
Daylight Hours
#10 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#4 / 12
Highest UV
#10 / 12
Most Humid
#9 / 12
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 11.5 h
- UV index (max)
- 8
- Typical sun hours
- 06:57 - 18:29
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 4 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 43%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 59%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for May. Typical high 31.6°C and low 23.5°C.
Typical disruptions in May
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in May.
Heat High impact
Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 85% of days (26.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
26.2 days / month
~85% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 26.2 days / month
- Probability ~85% of days
- Intensity Up to ~34°C (P95)
Hot days are possible on ~26 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat High impact
Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 73% of days (22.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
22.8 days / month
~73% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 22.8 days / month
- Probability ~73% of days
- Intensity Up to ~37°C (P95)
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~23 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Humidity High impact
Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 37% of days (11.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.6 days / month
~37% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.6 days / month
- Probability ~37% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24°C (P95)
Muggy conditions are possible on ~12 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heat High impact
Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). Observed about 29% of days (9.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
9.0 days / month
~29% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 9.0 days / month
- Probability ~29% of days
- Intensity Up to ~37°C (P95)
Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~9 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat High impact
Heat stress risk Measures: High heat stress days. Observed about 28% of days (8.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.7 days / month
~28% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.7 days / month
- Probability ~28% of days
- Intensity Up to ~37°C (P95)
Heat stress is possible on ~9 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Rain High impact
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 3% of days (0.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.8 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.8 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~21mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Show all disruptions (18 more)
Rain High impact
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). 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 ~37mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~0 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 0.3 days/month in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.3 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.3 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~37mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Heat Moderate
Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 2.0 days/month in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.0 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.0 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~36°C (P95)
Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat Moderate
Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 1.8 days/month in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.8 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.8 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~34°C (P95)
Heatwave runs are possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Rain Moderate
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 3% of days (0.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.8 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.8 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~21mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~1 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 71% of days (22.1 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
22.1 days / month
~71% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 22.1 days / month
- Probability ~71% of days
- Intensity Up to ~26°C (P95)
Warm nights are possible on ~22 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humidity Minor
Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 58% of days (18.1 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
18.1 days / month
~58% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 18.1 days / month
- Probability ~58% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23°C (P95)
Humid conditions are possible on ~18 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 33% of days (10.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
10.2 days / month
~33% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 10.2 days / month
- Probability ~33% of days
- Intensity Up to ~53km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~10 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 28% of days (8.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.6 days / month
~28% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.6 days / month
- Probability ~28% of days
- Intensity Up to ~98% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~9 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 21% of days (6.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
6.5 days / month
~21% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 6.5 days / month
- Probability ~21% of days
- Intensity Up to ~9.9mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~6 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heat Minor
Hot nights Measures: Hot nights (min >=25C). Observed about 17% of days (5.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.3 days / month
~17% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.3 days / month
- Probability ~17% of days
- Intensity Up to ~26°C (P95)
Hot nights are possible on ~5 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Cloud Minor
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 12% of days (3.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.7 days / month
~12% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.7 days / month
- Probability ~12% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~4 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 11% of days (3.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.3 days / month
~11% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.3 days / month
- Probability ~11% of days
- Intensity Up to ~12h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~3 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 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 ~13h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Humidity Minor
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 3% of days (1.1 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.1 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.1 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~86% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~1 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). 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 ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~1 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 3% of days (0.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.8 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.8 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~25°C (P95)
Convective risk signal appears on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humidity Minor
Oppressive humidity Measures: Oppressive humidity days (dew point >=24C). 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 ~25°C (P95)
Oppressive humidity is possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Frequently asked questions
Is May a good time to visit Darwin?
Typical May days in Darwin reach highs of 32°C (90°F) with nights around 23°C (73°F). It usually feels hot by day and warm after dark. Overall, May sits in the middle of the Darwin climate range.
What are temperatures like in May?
In May, you can usually expect highs of 32°C (90°F) and lows near 23°C (73°F). That means hot days and warm nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.
How much does it rain in May?
Rainfall in May averages 14 mm (0.55 in) across roughly 4 days. Overall it is a mostly dry time of year, so showers are usually brief rather than all-day downpours.
How many hours of daylight are there in May?
You can expect about 12 hours of daylight in May. Sunrise is typically around 06:57 and sunset near 18:29. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.
How strong is the sun in May?
UV levels are often high (around 8). Regular sunscreen and a hat are recommended.
Is it windy in May?
In May, average wind speeds are around 10 km/h (6 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 45 km/h (28 mph). On the ground, it is it often feels breezy, especially in more exposed spots or along the coast.