Monthly climate guide

Honolulu in May

In Honolulu, 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, and relatively steady temperatures through the day. You get long daylight windows for full-day exploring. 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 Honolulu.

Hottest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#7 / 12

Sits around the middle of the year.

Wettest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#6 / 12

Typical rainfall for the year.

Daylight Hours
LONGER
#3 / 12

Long daylight hours.

Windiest (avg)
WIND
#9 / 12

Close to the yearly wind average.

Highest UV
UV
#5 / 12

Near the middle of the yearly UV range.

Most Humid
HUMID
#11 / 12

One of the less humid months.

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

13.2 h

Average daylight

UV index (max)
9
Typical sun hours
05:52 - 19:02

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
13 days
Cloud cover (avg)
47%

Air feel

Humidity & Wind

72%

Average humidity

Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Historical daily baseline

Daily climate explorer

Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through May in Honolulu. 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.20253011631°C
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range

Day 15 selected for May. Temperature 26.3°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.

Humidity High impact

Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 20% of days (6.1 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

6.1 days / month

Share of days
~20% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~22°C (P95)
Why this matters

Muggy conditions are possible on ~6 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Wind High impact

Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). 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 ~68km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Strong gusts are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Rain High impact

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. 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 ~35mm (P95)
Why this matters

Rain disruption risk appears on ~1 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 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 ~35mm (P95)
Why this matters

Washout conditions are possible on ~1 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 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.5 days / month

Share of days
~8% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~34°C (P95)
Why this matters

Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~3 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Show all disruptions (15 more)
Rain High impact

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). 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 ~42mm (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 0.2 days/month in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~19mm (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.

Humidity Minor

Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 75% of days (23.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

23.2 days / month

Share of days
~75% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~21°C (P95)
Why this matters

Humid conditions are possible on ~23 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Heat Minor

Warm nights Measures: Warm nights (min >=22C). Observed about 73% of days (22.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

22.7 days / month

Share of days
~73% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~24°C (P95)
Why this matters

Warm nights are possible on ~23 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 65% of days (20.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

20.2 days / month

Share of days
~65% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~63km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~20 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 61% of days (18.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

18.8 days / month

Share of days
~61% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~5.9mm (P95)
Why this matters

Measurable rain is possible on ~19 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 42% of days (13.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

13.0 days / month

Share of days
~42% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~15h (P95)
Why this matters

Several rainy hours are possible on ~13 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 26% of days (8.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

8.0 days / month

Share of days
~26% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~98% (P95)
Why this matters

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 25% of days (7.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

7.8 days / month

Share of days
~25% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~18h (P95)
Why this matters

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~8 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 12% of days (3.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.6 days / month

Share of days
~12% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~99% (P95)
Why this matters

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~4 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 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 ~86% (P95)
Why this matters

High humidity is possible on ~2 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Wind Minor

Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). 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 ~29km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Breezy conditions are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Humidity Minor

Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. 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 ~22°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.

Cloud Minor

Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). 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 ~99% (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

Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 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
Upper edge
Up to ~34°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 Honolulu?

Typical May days in Honolulu reach highs of 26°C (79°F) with nights around 22°C (72°F). It usually feels warm by day and warm after dark. Overall, May sits in the middle of the Honolulu climate range.

What are temperatures like in May?

In May, you can usually expect highs of 26°C (79°F) and lows near 22°C (72°F). That means warm days and warm nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.

How much does it rain in May?

Rainfall in May averages 33 mm (1.3 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 13 hours of daylight in May. Sunrise is typically around 05:52 and sunset near 19:02. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.

How strong is the sun in May?

UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 9), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.

Is it windy in May?

In May, average wind speeds are around 16 km/h (10 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 58 km/h (36 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.

Compare other months

Explore more