Washington DC · SpringMonth summary
Washington DC weather in May
✅ Good
🌡️ Temperature min / max
55°F – 73°F
🌧 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°F.
❌ No if: you need maximum sunshine — some overcast days are possible.
Our take: Favourable conditions in May (7.4/10). June scores higher but the gap is small.
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
Spring marks the start of the good season in Washington DC. Temperatures rise (23°F) 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.
Browse by month
All months for Washington DC
Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °F | Max °F | Rain % | Precip in | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌫️ January | 28°F | 43°F | 29% | 0.1in | 7.8h | 4.2/10 |
| 🌦️ February | 30°F | 50°F | 36% | 0.1in | 8.4h | 4.6/10 |
| ⛅ March | 37°F | 55°F | 33% | 0.1in | 10.0h | 6.1/10 |
| 🌤️ April | 46°F | 66°F | 37% | 0.1in | 10.7h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 55°F | 73°F | 45% | 0.2in | 11.1h | 7.4/10 |
| 🌤️ June | 64°F | 84°F | 41% | 0.2in | 13.2h | 8.1/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 72°F | 88°F | 47% | 0.2in | 13.3h | 7.5/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 70°F | 86°F | 44% | 0.2in | 12.1h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 63°F | 79°F | 37% | 0.2in | 11.0h | 7.9/10 |
| 🌤️ October | 50°F | 68°F | 28% | 0.1in | 9.9h | 7.4/10 |
| ⛅ November | 39°F | 57°F | 26% | 0.1in | 9.2h | 6.7/10 |
| 🌫️ December | 32°F | 46°F | 28% | 0.1in | 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 73°F, 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°F
- 🌧 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 73°F max and 11.1h of sunshine, focus on cultural sites, museums and local gastronomy.
Accommodation
Find a place to stay in Washington DC
Find places to stay in Washington DC in May
Search on Hotels.com
Activities & tours
Activities and tours in Washington DC
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and local experiences.
Browse activities on GetYourGuide
Flights
Find a flight to Washington DC
Compare flights from all airlines.
Search flights
←
Explore also
Similar destinations in May
🌍 Top destinations
Other top destinations in May
Trinidad
Santiago
Socotra
Puerto Escondido
PantelleriaWeather rankings
Compare destinations by weather
Best in EuropeGuides & comparisons