The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Portland. Temperatures rise (66°F) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Expect rain on 27% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. Not the best window, but acceptable if dates are constrained. July (9.4/10) is significantly better if possible.
May ranks 5 out of 12 months in Portland. Compared to April: +7°F daytime, 10 pts fewer rainy days, +1.6h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
6 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
dry air
9°
Daylight
14.7h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 24
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Portland is July (9.4/10), 2.0 pts 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 · Portland
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Portland
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 monthAugust · 84°F
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 46°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘDecember · 47%
🏛️ 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 Portland ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
United StatesTemperate climate with a 9.4 → 0.8 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
45.52°N · 122.68°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Portland?
July is the best month with 82°F highs, 57°F lows, 9.9h of sunshine and 6.0% rainy days. The months of July & August offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Portland get in July?
Portland averages 9.9 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 9.2/10.
What is the rainiest month in Portland?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Portland in July?
In July, overnight lows reach 57°F, while afternoon highs average 82°F.
Is Portland good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Portland scores 0.8/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 9.2/10.
When should you avoid Portland?
January is the most difficult month to visit Portland, with January 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 Portland in May?
The average UV index reaches 6 in May in Portland (high), with about 14.7h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.