Monthly climate guide

Rome in May

In Rome, May sits in late spring, a shoulder-season month where the conditions can shift as the season turns. Most days feel warm without being relentless, with evenings that ease back comfortably. You get long daylight windows for full-day exploring. Comfort is usually predictable, so a standard day plan works well. A practical way to frame the month is that moist air can add weight to longer walking days, while intermittent wet spells can nudge plans around.

Annual ranking snapshot

Ranked across 12 months

May in context

How it compares to the rest of the year in Rome.

Hottest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#5 / 12

Sits around the middle of the year.

Wettest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#9 / 12

Typical rainfall for the year.

Daylight Hours
LONGER
#3 / 12

Long daylight hours.

Windiest (avg)
WIND
#7 / 12

Close to the yearly wind average.

Highest UV
UV
#3 / 12

UV runs high compared with most months.

Most Humid
HUMID
#8 / 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

14.6 h

Average daylight

UV index (max)
8
Typical sun hours
04:49 - 19:22

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
12 days
Cloud cover (avg)
46%

Air feel

Humidity & Wind

73%

Average humidity

Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Historical daily baseline

Daily climate explorer

Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through May in Rome. 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.01020304011631°C
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range

Day 15 selected for May. Temperature 22.2°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

Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 12% of days (3.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.9 days / month

Share of days
~12% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~24mm (P95)
Why this matters

Washout conditions are possible on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain Moderate

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 14% of days (4.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

4.2 days / month

Share of days
~14% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~24mm (P95)
Why this matters

Rain disruption risk appears on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Show all disruptions (17 more)
Rain High impact

Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 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
Upper edge
Up to ~19mm (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 ~74km/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.

Wind High impact

Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. 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 ~64km/h (P95)
Why this matters

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.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~34mm (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.

Rain Moderate

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 7% 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
~7% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~26mm (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.

Heat Moderate

Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). 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 ~35°C (P95)
Why this matters

Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Rain Minor

Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 47% of days (14.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

14.7 days / month

Share of days
~47% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~16mm (P95)
Why this matters

Measurable rain is possible on ~15 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 32% of days (9.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

9.9 days / month

Share of days
~32% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~98% (P95)
Why this matters

Cloudy skies are possible on ~10 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 31% of days (9.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

9.7 days / month

Share of days
~31% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~19h (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 23% of days (7.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

7.0 days / month

Share of days
~23% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~89% (P95)
Why this matters

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 21% of days (6.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

6.4 days / month

Share of days
~21% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~20h (P95)
Why this matters

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~6 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind Minor

Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 19% of days (5.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

5.8 days / month

Share of days
~19% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~62km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~6 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Cloud Minor

Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 16% of days (4.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

4.9 days / month

Share of days
~16% 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 4% of days (1.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.2 days / month

Share of days
~4% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Overcast skies are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Heat Minor

Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). 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 ~35°C (P95)
Why this matters

Hot days 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.

Likely frequency

0.1 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~35°C (P95)
Why this matters

Heatwave runs 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.

Likely frequency

0.1 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~33°C (P95)
Why this matters

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

Travel planning FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.

Is May a good time to visit Rome?

Typical May days in Rome reach highs of 23°C (73°F) with nights around 13°C (55°F). It usually feels warm by day and cool after dark. Overall, May sits in the middle of the Rome climate range.

What are temperatures like in May?

In May, you can usually expect highs of 23°C (73°F) and lows near 13°C (55°F). That means warm days and cool nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.

How much does it rain in May?

Rainfall in May averages 62 mm (2.4 in) across roughly 12 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 15 hours of daylight in May. Sunrise is typically around 04:49 and sunset near 19:22. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.

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 8 km/h (5 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.

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