West Palm Beach in May

In May, West Palm Beach averages 28°C (82°F) during the day and 23°C (73°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 23 days of the month see precipitation (146 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

May offers comfortable temperatures in West Palm Beach, with some rain to plan around.

28°C
Avg high
23°C
Avg low
23
Rain days
146 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in West Palm Beach

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

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in West Palm Beach (5th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (5th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C above the annual average (27°C). May runs 1°C warmer than April (27°C) and warms a further 2°C into June (30°C).

May sunrise & sunset in West Palm Beach

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:33 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
8:00 PM
Day length
13 h 27 min

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

Photography light in West Palm Beach — May

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:33 AM – 6:13 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:13 AM – 7:13 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
7:20 PM – 8:20 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
8:20 PM – 9:00 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 — West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach'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 West Palm Beach

Shoulder

West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
12.9
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●●
Severe
Severe mosquito season with active disease transmission risk. DEET 30%+, picaridin 20%, long sleeves day and night, treated nets, and check CDC/WHO travel advisories before going.

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.

Sea temperature in West Palm Beach — May

27.9°C (82°F)
bath-warm
tropical and comfortable for hours

Across the year West Palm Beach's sea swings from 24.9°C (February) to 31°C (August) — May sits at 27.9°C.

West Palm Beach in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 23°C / 73°F 17°C / 62°F 79 mm 16
February 25°C / 76°F 19°C / 66°F 68 mm 16
March 26°C / 78°F 19°C / 67°F 53 mm 17
April 27°C / 81°F 21°C / 70°F 102 mm 21
May 28°C / 82°F 23°C / 73°F 146 mm 23
June 30°C / 85°F 24°C / 76°F 195 mm 28
July 30°C / 87°F 25°C / 78°F 188 mm 30
August 31°C / 87°F 26°C / 78°F 206 mm 30
September 30°C / 85°F 25°C / 77°F 243 mm 28
October 28°C / 82°F 24°C / 74°F 129 mm 23
November 26°C / 79°F 21°C / 70°F 99 mm 20
December 24°C / 76°F 19°C / 66°F 68 mm 17

Other cities with similar May weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for West Palm Beach in May →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is West Palm Beach in May?

In May, West Palm Beach averages a high of 28°C (82°F) and a low of 23°C (73°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in West Palm Beach in May?

May is quite rainy in West Palm Beach, with about 23 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit West Palm Beach?

May is warm but on the rainy side. 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 West Palm Beach in May?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full May packing list for West Palm Beach for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open West Palm Beach on the interactive map

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