Delhi in May

In May, Delhi averages 40°C (104°F) during the day and 27°C (81°F) at night, with only about 2 rainy days.

Shoulder

Conditions are very hot — early-morning and evening sightseeing recommended. Skies are generally dry and clear.

May in Delhi is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

40°C
Avg high
27°C
Avg low
2
Rain days
30 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Delhi

1st
warmest month of the 12
8th
wettest month of the 12
4%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
13 h 34 min
daylight on the 15th

May is one of the warmest months in Delhi (1st of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (8th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 8°C above the annual average (32°C). May runs 3°C warmer than April (37°C) and cools 1°C in June (39°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Delhi

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
5:30 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:04 PM
Day length
13 h 34 min

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

Photography light in Delhi — May

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
4:30 AM – 5:10 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:10 AM – 6:10 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:24 PM – 7:24 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:24 PM – 8:04 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 — Delhi 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 Delhi'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 Delhi

Shoulder

Delhi 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 Delhi

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
12.8
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●○
High
Peak mosquito activity. DEET 30%+, long sleeves at dawn/dusk, sleep under nets if rural. Check current dengue/malaria advisories for the destination.

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.

Delhi in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 21°C / 70°F 8°C / 46°F 20 mm 2 0
February 25°C / 77°F 11°C / 52°F 20 mm 2 0
March 31°C / 88°F 16°C / 61°F 15 mm 2 0
April 37°C / 99°F 22°C / 72°F 15 mm 1 0
May 40°C / 104°F 27°C / 81°F 30 mm 2 0
June 39°C / 102°F 29°C / 84°F 75 mm 4 0
July 35°C / 95°F 28°C / 82°F 220 mm 12 0
August 33°C / 91°F 27°C / 81°F 220 mm 13 0
September 34°C / 93°F 25°C / 77°F 130 mm 6 0
October 33°C / 91°F 20°C / 68°F 15 mm 1 0
November 28°C / 82°F 13°C / 55°F 5 mm 1 0
December 23°C / 73°F 9°C / 48°F 10 mm 1 0

Other cities with similar May weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Delhi in May?

In May, Delhi averages a high of 40°C (104°F) and a low of 27°C (81°F) — generally hot.

Does it rain a lot in Delhi in May?

May is generally dry in Delhi, with about 2 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Delhi?

May is hot and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with hot weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Delhi in May?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. See the full May packing list for Delhi for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Delhi on the interactive map

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