Month summary
Yellowstone weather in May
⚠️ Fair
🌡️ Temperature min / max
28°F – 46°F
🌧 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: May is an average time for Yellowstone. July (8.5/10) is clearly preferable.
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
Spring marks the start of the good season in Yellowstone. Temperatures rise (8°F) 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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Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °F | Max °F | Rain % | Precip in | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ❄️ January | 10°F | 21°F | 37% | 0.1in | 7.0h | 4.0/10 |
| ❄️ February | 10°F | 21°F | 50% | 0.1in | 7.4h | 3.0/10 |
| ❄️ March | 16°F | 30°F | 45% | 0.1in | 10.0h | 4.1/10 |
| 🌨️ April | 21°F | 37°F | 45% | 0.1in | 11.8h | 4.3/10 |
| 🌦️ May | 28°F | 46°F | 40% | 0.1in | 13.3h | 5.5/10 |
| ⛅ June | 37°F | 59°F | 31% | 0.1in | 14.8h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 46°F | 72°F | 28% | 0.0in | 14.8h | 8.5/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 48°F | 70°F | 29% | 0.1in | 13.0h | 7.9/10 |
| ⛅ September | 41°F | 61°F | 30% | 0.1in | 11.7h | 7.1/10 |
| 🌦️ October | 30°F | 43°F | 38% | 0.1in | 10.0h | 4.3/10 |
| ❄️ November | 19°F | 30°F | 39% | 0.1in | 8.0h | 4.0/10 |
| ❄️ December | 10°F | 23°F | 42% | 0.1in | 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 46°F, 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°F
- 🌧 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 46°F daytime and 28°F at night. 13.3h of sunshine per day. Pack warm clothes and favour indoor visits.
Accommodation
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