2026 Climate Averages

Weather in Washington DC in May

The weather is near-perfect with ideal temperatures and minimal rain. Recommended month to visit.

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Climate Overview

May is an excellent time to visit Washington DC. Washington DC has a Moderate climate with average yearly highs of 21°C, lows of 11°C, and approximately 11 rainy days per month.

Avg High

21°C

Avg Low

11°C

Rainy days

11days

Daylight

14.3h

Is May a good time to visit Washington DC?

The weather is near-perfect with ideal temperatures and minimal rain.

Daylight

Sunrise

5:57 AM

Sunset

8:13 PM

Weather by Month
Monthly weather data
Month High Low Rainy days Condition
January 9°C 0°C 7 Good
February 10°C 1°C 12 Good
March 16°C 5°C 15 Wet
April 17°C 6°C 16 Excellent (best)
May 21°C 11°C 11 Excellent (best)
June 29°C 19°C 13 Wet
July 33°C 23°C 15 Wet
August 29°C 21°C 21 Wet
September 24°C 16°C 13 Excellent (best)
October 20°C 11°C 10 Excellent (best)
November 16°C 7°C 7 Good
December 8°C 0°C 6 Good

Weather data: Open-Meteo Archive (2020-2025) • Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0) • Historical avg. 2020–2025

What to Pack for May

Layers, a light jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and an umbrella.

Climate: Moderate
Travel Context Perfect weather for walking tours and all-day sightseeing.

Planning a trip to Washington DC?

Common Questions

Is May a good time to visit Washington DC? +

May is typically Excellent for visiting Washington DC, with average highs of 21°C and around 11 rainy days.

What should I pack for Washington DC in May? +

With highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C in {month}, we recommend: Layers, a light jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and an umbrella.

Does it rain a lot in Washington DC in May? +

Washington DC typically sees around 11 rainy days in May.

How many hours of daylight are there in Washington DC in May? +

In May, Washington DC gets approximately 14.3 hours of daylight per day.

Is May peak season in Washington DC? +

Yes, May is peak season in Washington DC. Expect higher prices and more crowds, but also the best weather.

What is the best month to visit Washington DC? +

The best months to visit Washington DC are April, May, September, October, when the weather is optimal for sightseeing.

Weather Data: Based on 2020–2025 historical climate data from Open-Meteo

Solar calculations: SunCalc (timezone: America/New_York)

Last Updated: January 2026

More Washington DC Guides

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Things to Do

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Itineraries

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Overview

Complete travel guide for Washington DC: top things to do, itineraries, and typical costs.

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May

21° / 11°
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