The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Palm Springs. Temperatures rise (33°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Rain is virtually absent (6% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if April (8.9/10) remains theoretically better.
May ranks 3 out of 12 months in Palm Springs. Compared to April: +3°C daytime, 5 pts fewer rainy days, +0.6h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
8 · very high
protection essential
Feels like
dry air
4°
Daylight
13.8h of daylight
Air quality
fair
AQI 48
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Palm Springs is April (8.9/10), 0.4 pt higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Palm Springs
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Palm Springs
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.
Country · United States
🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 41°C
❄️Coolest monthDecember · 18°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJanuary · 24%
🏛️ City break
📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Palm Springs ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
United StatesTemperate climate with a 8.9 → 2.3 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
33.83°N · 116.54°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Palm Springs?
April is the best month with 30.0°C highs, 16.0°C lows, 8.8h of sunshine and 11.0% rainy days. The months of April & October offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Palm Springs get in April?
Palm Springs averages 8.8 sunshine hours per day in April. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.5/10.
What is the rainiest month in Palm Springs?
July is the most unfavourable month with July has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Palm Springs in April?
In April, overnight lows reach 16.0°C, while afternoon highs average 30.0°C.
Is Palm Springs good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Palm Springs scores 4.5/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains April with a score of 8.5/10.
When should you avoid Palm Springs?
July is the most difficult month to visit Palm Springs, with July has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Palm Springs in May?
The average UV index reaches 8 in May in Palm Springs (very high), with about 13.8h of daylight. Protection essential.