Yellowstone · SpringMonth summary
Yellowstone weather in May
⚠️ Fair
🌡️ Temperature min / max
-2°C – 8°C
🌧 Rainy days
40% of days
☀️ Sunshine
13.3h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Spring
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
5.5/10
📅 📅 Best month
July (8.5/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Yellowstone in May?
⚠️ Fair
✅ Yes if: you want the lowest prices and minimal crowds.
❌ No if: you're looking for summer weather — conditions don't support it.
Our take: Not the best window: 40% rain risk and 13.3h of sunshine. July is much safer.
By trip type
Yellowstone in May by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ⚠️ Possible
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ❌ Not recommended
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : — No sea access
- 💰 💰 Budget : 🌿 Shoulder
Local context
What to expect in May
🎯 Trails walkable but wet — bring proper footwear and plan sheltered breaks Spring marks the start of the good season in Yellowstone. Temperatures rise (8°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Expect rain on 40% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. Not the best window, but acceptable if dates are constrained. July (8.5/10) is significantly better if possible.
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All months for Yellowstone
Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rain % | Precip mm | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ❄️ January | -12°C | -6°C | 37% | 1.6 | 7.0h | 4.0/10 |
| ❄️ February | -12°C | -6°C | 50% | 2.9 | 7.4h | 3.0/10 |
| ❄️ March | -9°C | -1°C | 45% | 2.1 | 10.0h | 4.1/10 |
| 🌨️ April | -6°C | 3°C | 45% | 2.3 | 11.8h | 4.3/10 |
| 🌦️ May | -2°C | 8°C | 40% | 1.8 | 13.3h | 5.5/10 |
| ⛅ June | 3°C | 15°C | 31% | 1.7 | 14.8h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 8°C | 22°C | 28% | 0.9 | 14.8h | 8.5/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 9°C | 21°C | 29% | 1.4 | 13.0h | 7.9/10 |
| ⛅ September | 5°C | 16°C | 30% | 2.0 | 11.7h | 7.1/10 |
| 🌦️ October | -1°C | 6°C | 38% | 2.2 | 10.0h | 4.3/10 |
| ❄️ November | -7°C | -1°C | 39% | 1.8 | 8.0h | 4.0/10 |
| ❄️ December | -12°C | -5°C | 42% | 2.4 | 5.9h | 3.1/10 |
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, Yellowstone averages 8°C, 40% rainy days and 13.3h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 5.5/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
May vs July (best month)
The best month is July (score 8.5/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +14°C
- 🌧 Rainy days : -12%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +1.5h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Yellowstone in May
Is May a good time to visit Yellowstone?
May is an acceptable time for Yellowstone (score 5.5/10). Conditions are decent but not optimal — consider July (8.5/10) if possible.
What's the weather like in Yellowstone in May?
It's cool with 8°C daytime and -2°C at night. 13.3h of sunshine per day. Pack warm clothes and favour indoor visits.
Accommodation
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