Lilongwe in May

In May, Lilongwe averages 25°C (77°F) during the day and 13°C (55°F) at night, with around 5 days of rain (5 mm total).

High season

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

May is a great month to visit Lilongwe: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

25°C
Avg high
13°C
Avg low
5
Rain days
5 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Lilongwe

10th
warmest month of the 12
8th
wettest month of the 12
1%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
11 h 28 min
daylight on the 15th

May is one of the coolest months in Lilongwe (10th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (8th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C below the annual average (27°C). May runs roughly the same as April (26°C) and cools 2°C in June (24°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Lilongwe

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
5:57 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:25 PM
Day length
11 h 28 min

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

Photography light in Lilongwe — May

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
4:57 AM – 5:37 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:37 AM – 6:37 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:45 PM – 5:45 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:45 PM – 6:25 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 — Lilongwe 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 (High season) and Lilongwe's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
2-3 months
Prices are above off-season but not the absolute peak. Tuesday/Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekend ones.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
2-3 months
Wide selection still available at this lead time. Premium properties book first; consider 'last-minute deal' availability at 2-week mark if your dates are flexible.

Crowds & pricing — May in Lilongwe

High season

This is a busy month in Lilongwe — not the absolute peak, but tourist numbers are clearly elevated. You'll feel it at headline attractions on weekends and in the historic centre, though side streets and lesser-known sights stay manageable. Prices are above off-season but not at their summit. A good week for first-time visitors who want everything open without the worst of the crush.

Why this tier: excellent tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — May in Lilongwe

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
10.3
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 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.

Lilongwe in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 26°C / 79°F 18°C / 65°F 222 mm 30
February 26°C / 79°F 18°C / 65°F 210 mm 26
March 26°C / 78°F 17°C / 63°F 116 mm 26
April 26°C / 78°F 16°C / 60°F 33 mm 19
May 25°C / 77°F 13°C / 55°F 5 mm 5
June 24°C / 74°F 11°C / 52°F 2 mm 5
July 24°C / 74°F 11°C / 52°F 1 mm 3
August 26°C / 79°F 13°C / 55°F 1 mm 2
September 28°C / 83°F 15°C / 59°F 1 mm 2
October 31°C / 87°F 18°C / 64°F 8 mm 8
November 31°C / 87°F 19°C / 66°F 39 mm 15
December 28°C / 83°F 19°C / 66°F 132 mm 22

Other cities with similar May weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Lilongwe in May?

In May, Lilongwe averages a high of 25°C (77°F) and a low of 13°C (55°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Lilongwe in May?

May sees occasional rain in Lilongwe, with about 5 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Lilongwe?

May is warm and mostly dry. 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 Lilongwe in May?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full May packing list for Lilongwe for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Lilongwe on the interactive map

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