Valdez in May

In May, Valdez averages 10°C (49°F) during the day and 4°C (40°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 20 days of the month see precipitation (157 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions 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 Valdez. If your dates are flexible, consider a different time of year.

10°C
Avg high
4°C
Avg low
20
Rain days
157 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Valdez

5th
warmest month of the 12
9th
wettest month of the 12
6%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
17 h 27 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in Valdez (5th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (9th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 3°C above the annual average (6°C). May runs 5°C warmer than April (5°C) and warms a further 5°C into June (15°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Valdez

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
4:58 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
10:25 PM
Day length
17 h 27 min

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

Photography light in Valdez — May

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
3:58 AM – 4:38 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
4:38 AM – 5:38 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
9:45 PM – 10:45 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
10:45 PM – 11:25 PM

📅 When to book — Valdez 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 Valdez'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 Valdez

Shoulder

Valdez 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 Valdez

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.8
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.

Valdez in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January -2°C / 28°F -6°C / 21°F 225 mm 22
February -2°C / 28°F -7°C / 20°F 156 mm 18
March 0°C / 32°F -5°C / 23°F 147 mm 18
April 5°C / 41°F 0°C / 32°F 123 mm 19
May 10°C / 49°F 4°C / 40°F 157 mm 20
June 15°C / 58°F 10°C / 49°F 167 mm 23
July 17°C / 63°F 13°C / 55°F 172 mm 23
August 16°C / 62°F 12°C / 53°F 326 mm 24
September 12°C / 54°F 8°C / 46°F 312 mm 23
October 6°C / 42°F 1°C / 34°F 267 mm 21
November 0°C / 31°F -4°C / 24°F 249 mm 21
December -1°C / 30°F -5°C / 22°F 270 mm 22

Other cities with similar May weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Valdez in May?

In May, Valdez averages a high of 10°C (49°F) and a low of 4°C (40°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Valdez in May?

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

Is May a good time to visit Valdez?

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 Valdez in May?

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

Open Valdez on the interactive map

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