Sitka in May

In May, Sitka averages 12°C (54°F) during the day and 7°C (44°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 20 days of the month see precipitation (116 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

May is one of the wetter and less comfortable months in Sitka. If your dates are flexible, consider a different time of year.

12°C
Avg high
7°C
Avg low
20
Rain days
116 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Sitka

5th
warmest month of the 12
12th
wettest month of the 12
4%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
16 h 31 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in Sitka (5th of 12) and one of the driest months (12th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 3°C above the annual average (9°C). May runs 5°C warmer than April (7°C) and warms a further 2°C into June (15°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Sitka

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
4:42 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
9:13 PM
Day length
16 h 31 min

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

Photography light in Sitka — May

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
3:42 AM – 4:22 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
4:22 AM – 5:22 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
8:33 PM – 9:33 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
9:33 PM – 10:13 PM

📅 When to book — Sitka 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 Sitka'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 Sitka

Shoulder

Sitka 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 Sitka

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
9.6
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

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.

Sitka in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 3°C / 38°F 0°C / 32°F 321 mm 25
February 3°C / 37°F -2°C / 28°F 260 mm 20
March 4°C / 40°F -1°C / 31°F 202 mm 22
April 7°C / 45°F 3°C / 37°F 211 mm 23
May 12°C / 54°F 7°C / 44°F 116 mm 20
June 15°C / 58°F 10°C / 50°F 134 mm 24
July 17°C / 62°F 12°C / 54°F 143 mm 23
August 17°C / 62°F 12°C / 54°F 248 mm 24
September 14°C / 58°F 10°C / 50°F 317 mm 23
October 10°C / 50°F 6°C / 42°F 377 mm 24
November 6°C / 42°F 2°C / 35°F 365 mm 24
December 3°C / 38°F 0°C / 31°F 359 mm 23

Other cities with similar May weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Sitka in May?

In May, Sitka averages a high of 12°C (54°F) and a low of 7°C (44°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Sitka in May?

May is quite rainy in Sitka, with about 20 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Sitka?

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

What should I pack for Sitka in May?

Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full May packing list for Sitka for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Sitka on the interactive map

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