Niagara Falls in May

In May, Niagara Falls averages 20°C (67°F) during the day and 9°C (49°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 17 days of the month see precipitation (76 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

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

20°C
Avg high
9°C
Avg low
17
Rain days
76 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Niagara Falls

5th
warmest month of the 12
10th
wettest month of the 12
7%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
14 h 39 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in Niagara Falls (5th of 12) and one of the driest months (10th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 6°C above the annual average (14°C). May runs 7°C warmer than April (13°C) and warms a further 5°C into June (24°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Niagara Falls

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
5:52 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
8:32 PM
Day length
14 h 39 min

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

Photography light in Niagara Falls — May

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
4:52 AM – 5:32 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:32 AM – 6:32 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
7:52 PM – 8:52 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
8:52 PM – 9:32 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 — Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls'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 Niagara Falls

Shoulder

Niagara Falls 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.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — May in Niagara Falls

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
11.6
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●○○
Moderate
Active mosquito season. DEET 25-30% repellent recommended, especially at dawn/dusk.

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.

Niagara Falls in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 0°C / 32°F -7°C / 20°F 72 mm 21
February 1°C / 34°F -7°C / 19°F 80 mm 19
March 6°C / 42°F -3°C / 27°F 78 mm 18
April 13°C / 55°F 3°C / 37°F 103 mm 19
May 20°C / 67°F 9°C / 49°F 76 mm 17
June 24°C / 76°F 15°C / 59°F 100 mm 17
July 27°C / 80°F 18°C / 65°F 104 mm 21
August 26°C / 78°F 18°C / 64°F 86 mm 19
September 22°C / 72°F 15°C / 58°F 81 mm 16
October 15°C / 60°F 9°C / 47°F 106 mm 20
November 8°C / 47°F 2°C / 35°F 77 mm 19
December 4°C / 39°F -2°C / 29°F 78 mm 19

Other cities with similar May weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Niagara Falls in May?

In May, Niagara Falls averages a high of 20°C (67°F) and a low of 9°C (49°F) — generally mild and pleasant.

Does it rain a lot in Niagara Falls in May?

May is quite rainy in Niagara Falls, with about 17 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Niagara Falls?

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

What should I pack for Niagara Falls in May?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full May packing list for Niagara Falls for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Niagara Falls on the interactive map

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