Monthly climate guide

Gold Coast in May

In Gold Coast, May sits in late autumn, a shoulder-season month where the conditions can shift as the season turns. Most days land in a mild, easygoing zone, and relatively steady temperatures through the day. Daylight is moderate, so steady pacing works well. Comfort is usually predictable, so a standard day plan works well.

Annual ranking snapshot

Ranked across 12 months

May in context

How it compares to the rest of the year in Gold Coast.

Hottest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#9 / 12

Sits around the middle of the year.

Wettest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#7 / 12

Typical rainfall for the year.

Daylight Hours
SHORTER
#10 / 12

Shorter days.

Windiest (avg)
WIND
#9 / 12

Close to the yearly wind average.

Highest UV
UV
#10 / 12

UV is gentler than usual.

Most Humid
HUMID
#7 / 12

Humidity stays close to the yearly norm.

Climate normals

Four planning pillars

Monthly climate breakdown

A detailed look at the typical climate conditions for May.

Thermal profile

Temperature

Typical daytime high

Nighttime low
Feels like (avg)

Light window

Sunshine

10.7 h

Average daylight

UV index (max)
6
Typical sun hours
06:20 - 17:04

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
11 days
Cloud cover (avg)
40%

Air feel

Humidity & Wind

74%

Average humidity

Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Historical daily baseline

Daily climate explorer

Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through May in Gold Coast. Based on a 30-year historical climate baseline, not a forecast.

Primary control

Select a day

Scroll to compare daily conditions. The summary updates with your selection.

Secondary context

Monthly trend

Day 15 selected

Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.

Daily climate explorer for MayMonthly trend chart for the selected climate metric, with the chosen day marked.101520253011631°C
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range

Day 15 selected for May. Temperature 21.8°C.

Historical disruption baseline

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

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 10% of days (3.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.0 days / month

Share of days
~10% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~71mm (P95)
Why this matters

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 (2.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.9 days / month

Share of days
~9% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~72mm (P95)
Why this matters

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

Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.5 days / month

Share of days
~2% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~78km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Show all disruptions (18 more)
Rain High impact

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 6% of days (1.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.8 days / month

Share of days
~6% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~79mm (P95)
Why this matters

Heavy rain is possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 3% of days (0.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.8 days / month

Share of days
~3% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100mm (P95)
Why this matters

Very 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 0.5 days/month in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.5 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~97mm (P95)
Why this matters

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

Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.4 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~78km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Strong gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Rain High impact

Extreme rain Measures: Extreme rain days (>=50mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.3 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~132mm (P95)
Why this matters

Extreme rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Humidity Moderate

Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~21°C (P95)
Why this matters

Muggy conditions are possible on ~0 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 45% of days (14.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

14.0 days / month

Share of days
~45% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~28mm (P95)
Why this matters

Measurable rain is possible on ~14 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 (10.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

10.4 days / month

Share of days
~34% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~24h (P95)
Why this matters

Several rainy hours are possible on ~10 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 30% of days (9.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

9.4 days / month

Share of days
~30% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~91% (P95)
Why this matters

High humidity is possible on ~9 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

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.

Likely frequency

8.6 days / month

Share of days
~28% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Cloudy skies are possible on ~9 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Wind Minor

Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 24% of days (7.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

7.4 days / month

Share of days
~24% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~60km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~7 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Rain Minor

Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 23% of days (7.1 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

7.1 days / month

Share of days
~23% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~24h (P95)
Why this matters

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~7 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 (4.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

4.6 days / month

Share of days
~15% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~5 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 6% of days (1.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.9 days / month

Share of days
~6% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Overcast skies are possible on ~2 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 5% of days (1.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.5 days / month

Share of days
~5% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~21°C (P95)
Why this matters

Humid conditions are possible on ~1 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Humidity Minor

Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 2% of days (0.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.8 days / month

Share of days
~2% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~21°C (P95)
Why this matters

Convective risk signal appears on ~1 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 (0.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.5 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~95% (P95)
Why this matters

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 (0.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.5 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~95 (P95)
Why this matters

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.

Travel planning FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.

Is May a good time to visit Gold Coast?

Typical May days in Gold Coast reach highs of 22°C (72°F) with nights around 16°C (61°F). It usually feels mild by day and mild after dark. Overall, May sits in the middle of the Gold Coast climate range.

What are temperatures like in May?

In May, you can usually expect highs of 22°C (72°F) and lows near 16°C (61°F). That means mild days and mild nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.

How much does it rain in May?

Rainfall in May averages 73 mm (2.9 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 11 hours of daylight in May. Sunrise is typically around 06:20 and sunset near 17:04. Days are on the shorter side, so plan activities around limited daylight.

How strong is the sun in May?

UV levels are moderate (around 6); sunscreen and sunglasses are still a good idea.

Is it windy in May?

In May, average wind speeds are around 11 km/h (7 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 48 km/h (30 mph). On the ground, it is it often feels breezy, especially in more exposed spots or along the coast.

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