What May feels like in Sydney
In Sydney, May brings late autumn (Sydney is in the southern hemisphere, so the seasons run opposite to Europe and North America). Afternoons are mild and comfortable for most people in light layers. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights are cool and the temperature hardly changes after dark. Humidity is on the high side, but mild temperatures keep it comfortable.
Rain in Sydney in May
Wet days are occasional rather than regular, about one day in 4. Wet days average about 7.9 mm (0.3 in), enough to soak you without an umbrella. That is close to Sydney's typical rain per wet day for the whole year (about 7.7 mm).
Daylight and sunshine in May
In mid-May, sunrise is at about 6:39 am and sunset at about 5:03 pm (local time) — 10 h 24 min of daylight. Evenings are drawing in — 53 min less daylight than mid-April. The sun is out for roughly 86% of those daylight hours, so skies are mostly clear.
How May compares to the rest of the year
In Sydney's temperature order, May sits as the 4th coolest month. Afternoons run 2.8°C (5°F) cooler than in April, with 18 mm less rain. June is cooler again. June averages a high of 16.5°C (61.7°F).
Who May suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — the weather rarely gets in the way of a city walk.
- Parks & outdoor: a good fit — comfortable for long walks and picnics.
- Beach: less ideal — too many rainy days.
Tips for visiting Sydney in May
Sunglasses
Plenty of sun, so bring sunglasses and a cap.
Quick questions
How warm is Sydney in May?
Afternoons average 19.2°C (66.6°F) and nights about 11.8°C (53.2°F) — mild by most people's standards. It is the 4th coolest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Sydney in May?
Only moderately: roughly 7 wet days and 55 mm, usually moderate rain.
What should I wear in Sydney in May?
The numbers point to sunglasses. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is May or June better for visiting Sydney?
On our 12-month climate ranking, May comes out ahead (#2 of 12 vs #9). June is cooler and has more rainy days.