Avg High
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
14h

What to expect

May in Palermo is late spring, 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 a noticeable cool-down after sunset. There is plenty of daylight to stretch outdoor time. 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 Palermo.

Hottest (avg)
#6 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#9 / 12
Daylight Hours
#3 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#7 / 12
Highest UV
#3 / 12
Most Humid
#9 / 12

Monthly climate breakdown

Temperature

Daytime high
Nighttime low
Feels like (avg)

Sunshine

Daylight hours
14.2 h
UV index (max)
8
Typical sun hours
04:55 - 19:10

Rain & Snow

Total rain
Rainy days
9 days
Cloud cover (avg)
40%

Humidity & Wind

Humidity (avg)
72%
Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Daily climate explorer

Daily climate explorer for May in PalermoInteractive chart with daily scrub and pinned insight panel.1020304011631°C

Day 15 selected for May. Typical high 22.0°C and low 15.3°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

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

2.5 days / month

~8% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 2.5 days / month
  • Probability ~8% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~36mm (P95)

Rain disruption risk appears on ~2 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 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

2.5 days / month

~8% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 2.5 days / month
  • Probability ~8% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~36mm (P95)

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

Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 8% of days (2.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

2.4 days / month

~8% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 2.4 days / month
  • Probability ~8% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~89km/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.

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 ~37°C (P95)

Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat Minor

Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 2% of days (0.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.7 days / month

~2% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.7 days / month
  • Probability ~2% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~36°C (P95)

Hot days are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Show all disruptions (17 more)
Rain High impact

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 3% of days (0.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.9 days / month

~3% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.9 days / month
  • Probability ~3% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~48mm (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 0.5 days/month in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.5 days / month

Probability unavailable

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.5 days / month
  • Probability
  • Intensity Up to ~44mm (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.

Wind High impact

Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). 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 ~94km/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.

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 ~76km/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 ~55mm (P95)

Very heavy rain is possible on ~0 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 36% of days (11.1 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

11.1 days / month

~36% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 11.1 days / month
  • Probability ~36% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~14mm (P95)

Measurable rain is possible on ~11 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 30% of days (9.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

9.3 days / month

~30% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 9.3 days / month
  • Probability ~30% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~77km/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.

Cloud Minor

Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 26% of days (8.1 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

8.1 days / month

~26% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 8.1 days / month
  • Probability ~26% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~98% (P95)

Cloudy skies are possible on ~8 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 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 ~18h (P95)

Several rainy hours are possible on ~8 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 24% of days (7.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

7.5 days / month

~24% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 7.5 days / month
  • Probability ~24% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~89% (P95)

High humidity is possible on ~7 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 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 ~19h (P95)

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~5 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 11% of days (3.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

3.4 days / month

~11% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 3.4 days / month
  • Probability ~11% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)

Mostly cloudy skies are possible 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 2% of days (0.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.8 days / month

~2% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.8 days / month
  • Probability ~2% 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

Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 2% of days (0.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.7 days / month

~2% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.7 days / month
  • Probability ~2% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~19°C (P95)

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

Heat Minor

Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). 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 ~37°C (P95)

Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

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 ~33°C (P95)

Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat Minor

Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot 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)

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 Palermo?

Typical May days in Palermo reach highs of 23°C (73°F) with nights around 16°C (61°F). It usually feels warm by day and mild after dark. Overall, May sits in the middle of the Palermo climate range.

What are temperatures like in May?

Daytime temperatures in May typically peak near 23°C (73°F), while nights drop to around 16°C (61°F). Expect warm afternoons and mild evenings.

How much does it rain in May?

Rainfall in May averages 41 mm (1.6 in) across roughly 9 days. Overall it is a moderately wet 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 14 hours of daylight in May. Sunrise is typically around 04:55 and sunset near 19:10. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.

How strong is the sun in May?

UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 8), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.

Is it windy in May?

In May, average wind speeds are around 8 km/h (5 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.

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