Hottest (avg)
#7 / 12
Sits around the middle of the year.
May in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in San Diego.
Wettest (avg)
#8 / 12
Typical rainfall for the year.
Daylight Hours
#3 / 12
Long daylight hours.
Windiest (avg)
#1 / 12
The breeziest month of the year.
Highest UV
#3 / 12
UV runs high compared with most months.
Most Humid
#7 / 12
Humidity stays close to the yearly norm.
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
13.9 h
Average daylight
- UV index (max)
- 9
- Typical sun hours
- 04:49 - 18:40
Wet-day pattern
Rain & Snow
Typical rainfall
- Rainy days
- 3 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 48%
Air feel
Humidity & Wind
75%
Average humidity
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Historical daily baseline
Daily climate explorer
Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through May in San Diego. 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
Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range
Day 15 selected for May. Temperature 19.5°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 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 ~16mm (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.
Rain Moderate
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption 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 ~16mm (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.
Show all disruptions (12 more)
Rain High impact
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. 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 ~15mm (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 Moderate
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). 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 ~19mm (P95)
Why this matters
Heavy rain is possible on ~0 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 (0.2 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 ~34°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.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 35% of days (10.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
10.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~35% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~95% (P95)
Why this matters
Cloudy skies are possible on ~11 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 21% of days (6.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
6.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~21% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~85% (P95)
Why this matters
High humidity is possible on ~6 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Rain Minor
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 18% of days (5.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
5.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~18% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~9.8mm (P95)
Why this matters
Measurable rain is possible on ~6 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cloud Minor
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 14% of days (4.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
4.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~14% 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.
Wind Minor
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 13% 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
- ~13% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~53km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Gusty conditions are possible on ~4 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain Minor
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). 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 ~20h (P95)
Why this matters
Several rainy hours are possible on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain Minor
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 7% of days (2.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
2.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~7% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~21h (P95)
Why this matters
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
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 ~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.
Travel planning FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.
Is May a good time to visit San Diego?
Typical May days in San Diego reach highs of 20°C (68°F) with nights around 14°C (57°F). It usually feels mild by day and cool after dark. Overall, May sits in the middle of the San Diego climate range.
What are temperatures like in May?
Daytime temperatures in May typically peak near 20°C (68°F), while nights drop to around 14°C (57°F). Expect mild afternoons and cool evenings.
How much does it rain in May?
Rainfall in May averages 12 mm (0.47 in) across roughly 3 days. Overall it is a mostly dry 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 04:49 and sunset near 18:40. 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 10 km/h (6 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 39 km/h (24 mph). On the ground, it is a gentle to moderate breeze is common, but stronger winds are not frequent.