What May feels like in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, May is late spring on the calendar. Days are warm enough for short sleeves, and time outdoors is easy. Temperatures fall sharply after dark — a swing of roughly 12.1°C (21.8°F) — and nights are cool. The air carries some moisture, so hot spells feel a little sticky.
Rain in Los Angeles in May
Rain is rare in May — most weeks pass without a wet day. When it rains, it is usually light: about 3.6 mm (0.1 in) per rainy day, more drizzle than downpour. That is lighter than the city's yearly norm of about 10.6 mm per rainy day.
Daylight and sunshine in May
In mid-May, sunrise is at about 5:52 am and sunset at about 7:46 pm (local time) — 13 h 54 min of daylight. Days are getting longer: 54 min more daylight than in mid-April. Measured sunshine covers about 88% of the daylight — skies are mostly clear.
How May compares to the rest of the year
In Los Angeles's temperature order, May sits as the 6th warmest month. Against April, the average high is 1.4°C (2.5°F) higher, with 11 mm less rain. The warm-up continues into June. June averages a high of 28.3°C (82.9°F).
Who May suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — the weather rarely gets in the way of a city walk.
- Parks & outdoor: a good fit — good conditions for sitting outside.
- Beach: a good fit — warm and mostly dry on the coast.
Tips for visiting Los Angeles in May
Versatile Layers
Days are noticeably warmer than nights — layers you can add or remove.
Sunglasses
Frequent sunshine — sunglasses and a light hat.
Quick questions
How warm is Los Angeles in May?
Afternoons average 25°C (77°F) and nights about 12.9°C (55.2°F) — warm by most people's standards. It is the 6th warmest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Los Angeles in May?
No — May is one of the drier times, with about 2 rainy days and 7 mm in total.
What should I wear in Los Angeles in May?
The numbers point to versatile layers and sunglasses. Add a layer for after dark.
Is May or June better for visiting Los Angeles?
May, clearly: it ranks #1 of 12 among Los Angeles's months, against #8 for the other. June is warmer and has fewer rainy days.