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Is the weather good in United Kingdom in May 2025?
OK Weather
🌧️
RainyFor the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in United Kingdom during May have been around +15°C.
In United Kingdom the temperature rarely varies more than seven degrees between the different parts with the highest temperature +15°C in Southend to +10°C in Shetland Islands. So you should be able to pack for similar conditions wherever you go in the country.
Temperature, wind and humidity in May
Average
Aberdeen
Belfast
Birmingham
Bournemouth
Leeds Bradford
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Exeter
Glasgow
Inverness
Liverpool
Manchester
Newcastle
Newquay
Nottingham
Shetland Islands
Southampton
Southend
☀️
+15°C
Avg. max. temperature
-5°C
Min.
+32°C
Max.
65 mm
Total precipitation
76%
Avg. humidity
3 m/s
Avg. wind
4 ☀️
Sunny Days
9 ⛅️
Cloudy
17 🌦
Rainy
Our opinion: United Kingdom has OK weather in May.
United Kingdom in May – what city is the…
- rainiest? Exeter, with an average of 3 mm of rain and humidity of 81%;
- warmest? Southend, with daytime temperatures averaging +16°C;
- windiest? Shetland Islands, with an average of 6 m/s;
- coolest? Shetland Islands, with daytime temperatures averaging +10°C;
How good is the weather in United Kingdom in May?
During May, the United Kingdom is characterized by variable weather with air pressure around 1013 HPa and therefore elements of sun, rain, and wind – with a little extra emphasis on the latter two. The humidity in May ranges between 71% in Manchester and 81% in Shetland Islands.
How warm is it in United Kingdom during May?
Variable weather with sun, rain and wind: +15°C in average daily temperature.
This is how hot it usually is in May
The average daily temperatures above don't tell you everything about how hot it can be in United Kingdom. For example, cold nights can make a big difference for those staying in tents or unheated houses. Extra hot days, on the other hand, can make a big difference for those who plan to engage in demanding physical training or competition. So here are some more temperatures for May:
Average
Aberdeen
Belfast
Birmingham
Bournemouth
Leeds Bradford
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Exeter
Glasgow
Inverness
Liverpool
Manchester
Newcastle
Newquay
Nottingham
Shetland Islands
Southampton
Southend
- Average maximum temperature for the month: +15°C;
- Average minimum temperature for the month: +8°C;
- Highest monthly temperature: +17°C;
- Lowest monthly temperature: +6°C;
Monthly temperatures:
Average
Aberdeen
Belfast
Birmingham
Bournemouth
Leeds Bradford
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Exeter
Glasgow
Inverness
Liverpool
Manchester
Newcastle
Newquay
Nottingham
Shetland Islands
Southampton
Southend
- Warmest: July with an average +20°C during the day;
- Coldest: January with an average +7°C of the day;
- Hottest month in hottest city: July in Southend;
- Coldest month in coolest city: February in Shetland Islands;
Can you swim in United Kingdom in May?
Here are the minimum and maximum water temperatures in cities in United Kingdom in May:
Newcastle
🏊
Comfortable20°C - 23°C
You can definitely swim in Newcastle in May, with the water temperature of +20°C and up.
Winds in United Kingdom during May
Wind speed in United Kingdom in May based on historical data:
Average
Aberdeen
Belfast
Birmingham
Bournemouth
Leeds Bradford
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Exeter
Glasgow
Inverness
Liverpool
Manchester
Newcastle
Newquay
Nottingham
Shetland Islands
Southampton
Southend
May tends to offer light winds averaging 3 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in May:
- Highest average wind speed: Shetland Islands with 7 m/s;
- Lowest average wind speed: Birmingham with 3 m/s;
- Windiest day of the month: Shetland Islands with 7 m/s;
- The least windy day of the month: Aberdeen with 3 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in United Kingdom in May
Amount of rainfall in mm during May in United Kingdom based on historical data:
Average
Aberdeen
Belfast
Birmingham
Bournemouth
Leeds Bradford
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Exeter
Glasgow
Inverness
Liverpool
Manchester
Newcastle
Newquay
Nottingham
Shetland Islands
Southampton
Southend
May tends to be an extremely humid month with 80% humidity and 70 mm rainfall. In general the humidity tends to be a little lower in mountainous regions and more humid closer to water.
Comparison between cities in May:
Average
Aberdeen
Belfast
Birmingham
Bournemouth
Leeds Bradford
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Exeter
Glasgow
Inverness
Liverpool
Manchester
Newcastle
Newquay
Nottingham
Shetland Islands
Southampton
Southend
- Highest average rainfall: Exeter with 96 mm;
- Lowest average rainfall: Shetland Islands with 44 mm;
- Most number of rainy days: Inverness with 20 rainy days;
- Least number of rainy days: Cardiff with 15 rainy days;
- Highest risk of rain during the day: Inverness with 65%;
- Least risk of rain during the day: Cardiff with 48%;
- Highest average humidity: Shetland Islands with 81%;
- Lowest average humidity: Manchester with 71%;
Tips for traveling to United Kingdom in May
Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for United Kingdom? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.
Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the United Kingdom based on the weather that May is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.
rainy, mild weather with light winds and very high humidity in May
Pack right for May
The weather makes a difference when it comes to packing - especially which items should go in your suitcase. The tips below are designed to help you pack light and right without carrying more than necessary.
- For light showers, an umbrella or a thin and light rain cape is usually sufficient, while more rain may require rainwear and rain boots.
- Cool weather is between warm and cold. This means you can bring long pants and/or a longer skirt and an extra sweater. Be aware that cool days can alternate with cold nights - it may be wise to also pack a hat, gloves and a scarf.
- Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
- High humidity means that the air conducts heat to and from the skin more easily. For example, if the air is hot (above skin temperature), it will be harder to stay cool. On the other hand, if the air is cool or cold, it is more difficult to stay warm. In high humidity, the choice of clothing makes less of a difference. However, your physical activity plays a bigger role.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the weather in United Kingdom in May:
What can you do outside when it's warm in United Kingdom?
Bathing and sunbathing can be suitable. Warm (but not hot) days are also good for activities that are not so physically demanding: sightseeing on foot, by boat, on a scooter, camel riding. You can also exercise easily as long as you make sure to cool down and quench thirst.
Is May a good time to visit United Kingdom?
It’s always a good time to visit United Kingdom, but the weather is changeable in May, so plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and exploring, and pack for every eventuality.
Monthly weather in United Kingdom
Source of the data
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in United Kingdom, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.