Austin in May

In May, Austin averages 29°C (85°F) during the day and 20°C (67°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 22 days of the month see precipitation (187 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

May offers comfortable temperatures in Austin, with some rain to plan around.

29°C
Avg high
20°C
Avg low
22
Rain days
187 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Austin

5th
warmest month of the 12
1st
wettest month of the 12
16%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
13 h 40 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in Austin (5th of 12) and one of the wettest months (1st of 12). Daytime temperature runs 3°C above the annual average (26°C). May runs 3°C warmer than April (26°C) and warms a further 4°C into June (33°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Austin

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:37 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
8:17 PM
Day length
13 h 40 min

Times shown for Austin local time (America/Chicago), calculated for the 15th of May. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Austin — May

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of May, in Austin's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:37 AM – 6:17 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:17 AM – 7:17 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
7:37 PM – 8:37 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
8:37 PM – 9:17 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Good
Galactic core is up but lower on the horizon; head well outside city limits for a clean view.

📅 When to book — Austin in May

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on May's tier (Shoulder) and Austin's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — May in Austin

Shoulder

Austin is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — May in Austin

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
12.7
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●●
Severe
Severe mosquito season with active disease transmission risk. DEET 30%+, picaridin 20%, long sleeves day and night, treated nets, and check CDC/WHO travel advisories before going.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Austin in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 16°C / 61°F 6°C / 42°F 65 mm 12
February 18°C / 64°F 7°C / 45°F 76 mm 14
March 23°C / 73°F 12°C / 54°F 78 mm 17
April 26°C / 79°F 15°C / 60°F 127 mm 17
May 29°C / 85°F 20°C / 67°F 187 mm 22
June 33°C / 91°F 23°C / 74°F 97 mm 19
July 35°C / 95°F 25°C / 77°F 55 mm 13
August 35°C / 96°F 25°C / 77°F 117 mm 15
September 32°C / 89°F 22°C / 72°F 103 mm 16
October 27°C / 81°F 17°C / 62°F 114 mm 13
November 21°C / 69°F 11°C / 52°F 84 mm 15
December 18°C / 64°F 8°C / 46°F 84 mm 12

Other cities with similar May weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Austin in May →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Austin in May?

In May, Austin averages a high of 29°C (85°F) and a low of 20°C (67°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Austin in May?

May is quite rainy in Austin, with about 22 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Austin?

May is warm but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Austin in May?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full May packing list for Austin for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Austin on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.