Monthly climate guide

Hobart in May

In Hobart, May sits in late autumn, a shoulder-season month where the conditions can shift as the season turns. Most days sit on the cooler side, with evenings that ease back comfortably. With less daylight, it helps to start earlier and pace your day. 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 Hobart.

Hottest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#9 / 12

Sits around the middle of the year.

Wettest (avg)
DRIER
#10 / 12

One of the drier months.

Daylight Hours
SHORTER
#10 / 12

Shorter days.

Windiest (avg)
WIND
#8 / 12

Close to the yearly wind average.

Highest UV
UV
#10 / 12

UV is gentler than usual.

Most Humid
HUMID
#3 / 12

Humidity sits on the higher side.

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

9.7 h

Average daylight

UV index (max)
3
Typical sun hours
08:15 - 17:57

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
13 days
Cloud cover (avg)
63%

Air feel

Humidity & Wind

77%

Average humidity

Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Historical daily baseline

Daily climate explorer

Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through May in Hobart. 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.010203011631°C
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range

Day 15 selected for May. Temperature 14.7°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.

Cold High impact

Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 59% of days (18.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

18.2 days / month

Share of days
~59% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~5°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~18 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Wind High impact

Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 14% of days (4.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

4.5 days / month

Share of days
~14% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~84km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Strong gusts are possible on ~4 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Rain High impact

Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 7% of days (2.1 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.1 days / month

Share of days
~7% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~31mm (P95)
Why this matters

Washout conditions are possible on ~2 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 (0.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.7 days / month

Share of days
~2% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~99km/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.

Wind High impact

Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.6 days / month

Share of days
~2% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Severe gusts 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 7% of days (2.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.3 days / month

Share of days
~7% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~29mm (P95)
Why this matters

Rain disruption risk appears on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Show all disruptions (16 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.

Likely frequency

1.0 days / month

Share of days
~3% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~34mm (P95)
Why this matters

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

Likely frequency

0.4 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~29mm (P95)
Why this matters

Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~0 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 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 ~39mm (P95)
Why this matters

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

Cloud Minor

Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 60% of days (18.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

18.6 days / month

Share of days
~60% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~97% (P95)
Why this matters

Cloudy skies are possible on ~19 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 48% of days (15.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

15.0 days / month

Share of days
~48% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~79km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~15 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 48% of days (14.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

14.8 days / month

Share of days
~48% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~12mm (P95)
Why this matters

Measurable rain is possible on ~15 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Humidity Minor

High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 42% of days (13.1 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

13.1 days / month

Share of days
~42% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~91% (P95)
Why this matters

High humidity is possible on ~13 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Rain Minor

Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 37% of days (11.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

11.5 days / month

Share of days
~37% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~17h (P95)
Why this matters

Several rainy hours are possible on ~11 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 27% of days (8.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

8.4 days / month

Share of days
~27% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~99% (P95)
Why this matters

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~8 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain Minor

Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 22% of days (6.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

6.9 days / month

Share of days
~22% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~18h (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.

Cold Minor

Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 19% of days (5.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

5.9 days / month

Share of days
~19% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~5°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold nights are possible on ~6 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Cloud Minor

Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 6% of days (2.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.0 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.

Cold Minor

Cold days Measures: Cold days (max <=10C). Observed about 5% of days (1.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.6 days / month

Share of days
~5% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~10°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold daytime conditions are possible on ~2 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Wind Minor

Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). 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 ~27km/h (P95)
Why this matters

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

Visibility Minor

Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. 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 ~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 (0.3 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 ~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 Hobart?

Typical May days in Hobart reach highs of 14°C (57°F) with nights around 7°C (45°F). It usually feels cool by day and cold after dark. It is one of the drier months, which suits outdoor exploring and sightseeing.

What are temperatures like in May?

In May, you can usually expect highs of 14°C (57°F) and lows near 7°C (45°F). That means cool days and cold nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.

How much does it rain in May?

Rainfall in May averages 46 mm (1.8 in) across roughly 13 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 08:15 and sunset near 17:57. Days are on the shorter side, so plan activities around limited daylight.

How strong is the sun in May?

UV levels are moderate (around 3); sunscreen and sunglasses are still a good idea.

Is it windy in May?

In May, average wind speeds are around 15 km/h (9 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 65 km/h (40 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.

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