Late spring · Weather & things to do
Cleveland in May
The year's rain peaks now, with about 3.8 in (96 mm) falling in Cleveland, alongside highs near 63°F (17°C) and lows of 51°F (11°C).
It scores 77/100 for comfort, 4th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 63°F (17°C)
- Avg low
- 51°F (11°C)
- Rain
- 3.8 in (96 mm)
- Humidity
- 80%
- Cloud cover
- 74%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 20 min
- Comfort score
- 77/100 · Great
What May feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 63°F (17°C), good for long walks.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 51°F (11°C).
Some rain is likely, about 3.8 in (96 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (July – September).
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (May – July), which brings about 11.2 in (284 mm) in total.
- Comfort improves from 60/100 in April to 77/100.
- May sits inside the May – Oct window our Indiana & Ohio City-Nature Loop recommends.
What to pack for May
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 51°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 3.8 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Cleveland in May
May is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
I.M. Pei pyramid on the lake with stage costumes, instruments and hall of inductees.
Why now May scores 77/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Great Lakes Science Center
Hands-on science museum next door, with the NASA Glenn visitor center.
Slyman's Restaurant
Family diner since 1964 serving towering corned beef sandwiches.
Brandywine Falls
65-foot waterfall with boardwalk views in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Why now Highs near 63°F and 3.8 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
West Side Market
1912 market hall with butchers, bakers and pierogi and gyro stands.
Nearby in May
- Detroit in May~90 mi · highs 68°F, 3.8 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Mount Washington in May~115 mi · highs 71°F, 3.7 in rain · 4°C (8°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- German Village in May~127 mi · highs 73°F, 4.1 in rain · 5°C (10°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Frankenmuth in May~164 mi · highs 65°F, 3.8 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Downtown Cleveland & the Flats and Ohio City & the Lakefront.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Cleveland in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Cleveland?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 77/100 against a best of 84 in July – September. Expect highs of 63°F (17°C) and 3.8 in (96 mm) of rain. May is inside the May – Oct window our Indiana & Ohio City-Nature Loop recommends.
How cold is Cleveland in May?
Average highs are 63°F (17°C) and average lows 51°F (11°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Cleveland in May?
Some: about 3.8 in (96 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 36.9 in (937 mm).
What should I pack for Cleveland in May?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 51°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 3.8 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Cleveland
Routes in season in May
- Indiana & Ohio City-Nature Loop May – Oct
Planning Cleveland in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.