St. John's in May
In May, St. John's averages 9°C (49°F) during the day and 3°C (37°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 17 days of the month see precipitation (91 mm total).
ShoulderConditions are cold — pack winter layers. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.
May is one of the wetter and less comfortable months in St. John's. If your dates are flexible, consider a different time of year.
How May compares to the rest of the year in St. John's
May is in the middle of the year for warmth in St. John's (6th of 12) and one of the driest months (11th of 12). Daytime temperature matches the city's annual average. May runs 4°C warmer than April (5°C) and warms a further 5°C into June (14°C).
May sunrise & sunset in St. John's
Times shown for St. John's local time (America/St_Johns), calculated for the 15th of May. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in St. John's — May
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of May, in St. John's's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — St. John's 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 St. John's's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — May in St. John's
St. John's 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 St. John's
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.
St. John's in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1°C / 34°F | -5°C / 23°F | 160 mm | 22 | — |
| February | 0°C / 32°F | -6°C / 20°F | 123 mm | 19 | — |
| March | 1°C / 34°F | -4°C / 24°F | 120 mm | 20 | — |
| April | 5°C / 41°F | -1°C / 31°F | 112 mm | 19 | — |
| May | 9°C / 49°F | 3°C / 37°F | 91 mm | 17 | — |
| June | 14°C / 58°F | 8°C / 46°F | 98 mm | 18 | — |
| July | 19°C / 66°F | 13°C / 55°F | 80 mm | 17 | — |
| August | 20°C / 68°F | 14°C / 58°F | 94 mm | 18 | — |
| September | 17°C / 62°F | 11°C / 52°F | 116 mm | 18 | — |
| October | 12°C / 53°F | 7°C / 44°F | 102 mm | 18 | — |
| November | 7°C / 45°F | 2°C / 35°F | 133 mm | 20 | — |
| December | 3°C / 37°F | -2°C / 28°F | 124 mm | 19 | — |
Other cities with similar May weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for St. John's in May →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is St. John's in May?
In May, St. John's averages a high of 9°C (49°F) and a low of 3°C (37°F) — generally cool.
Does it rain a lot in St. John's in May?
May is quite rainy in St. John's, with about 17 rainy days on average.
Is May a good time to visit St. John's?
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 St. John's in May?
Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full May packing list for St. John's for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.