Washington DC · SpringMonth summary
Washington DC weather in May
✅ Good
🌡️ Temperature min / max
13°C – 23°C
🌧 Rainy days
45% of days
☀️ Sunshine
11.1h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Spring
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
7.4/10
📅 📅 Best month
June (8.1/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Washington DC in May?
✅ Good
✅ Yes if: you want shoulder-season value — fewer crowds, 23°C.
❌ No if: you need maximum sunshine — some overcast days are possible.
Our take: May is a good time to visit Washington DC. June remains slightly better (+0.7 pts).
By trip type
Washington DC in May by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ✅ Good
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ⚠️ Possible
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : — No sea access
- 💰 💰 Budget : 🌿 Shoulder
Local context
What to expect in May
🎯 Good period — 23°C with good sunshine. Reasonable crowds Spring marks the start of the good season in Washington DC. Temperatures rise (23°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Expect rain on 45% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. Not the best window, but acceptable if dates are constrained. June (8.1/10) is significantly better if possible.
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All months for Washington DC
Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rain % | Precip mm | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌫️ January | -2°C | 6°C | 29% | 2.6 | 7.8h | 4.2/10 |
| 🌦️ February | -1°C | 10°C | 36% | 3.1 | 8.4h | 4.6/10 |
| ⛅ March | 3°C | 13°C | 33% | 2.9 | 10.0h | 6.1/10 |
| 🌤️ April | 8°C | 19°C | 37% | 3.2 | 10.7h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 13°C | 23°C | 45% | 4.8 | 11.1h | 7.4/10 |
| 🌤️ June | 18°C | 29°C | 41% | 4.3 | 13.2h | 8.1/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 22°C | 31°C | 47% | 6.1 | 13.3h | 7.5/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 21°C | 30°C | 44% | 5.1 | 12.1h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 17°C | 26°C | 37% | 4.4 | 11.0h | 7.9/10 |
| 🌤️ October | 10°C | 20°C | 28% | 3.0 | 9.9h | 7.4/10 |
| ⛅ November | 4°C | 14°C | 26% | 2.7 | 9.2h | 6.7/10 |
| 🌫️ December | 0°C | 8°C | 28% | 3.2 | 7.5h | 4.4/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In May, Washington DC averages 23°C, 45% rainy days and 11.1h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 7.4/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
May vs June (best month)
The best month is June (score 8.1/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +6°C
- 🌧 Rainy days : -4%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +2.1h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Washington DC in May
Is May a good time to visit Washington DC?
May is an acceptable time for Washington DC (score 7.4/10). Conditions are decent but not optimal — consider June (8.1/10) if possible.
What to do in Washington DC in May?
With 23°C max and 11.1h of sunshine, focus on cultural sites, museums and local gastronomy.
Accommodation
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