Late spring · Weather & things to do
Duluth in May
Duluth warms up: highs climb to 60°F (16°C), from 49°F in April, with lows of 42°F (5°C) and about 3.6 in (91 mm) of rain.
It scores 75/100 for comfort, 5th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 60°F (16°C)
- Avg low
- 42°F (5°C)
- Rain
- 3.6 in (91 mm)
- Humidity
- 77%
- Cloud cover
- 65%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 50 min
- Comfort score
- 75/100 · Great
What May feels like
Highs near 60°F (16°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
Lows average 42°F (5°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 3.6 in (91 mm).
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (June – September).
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (May – July), which brings about 11.2 in (284 mm) in total.
- Comfort improves from 58/100 in April to 75/100.
- Our Minnesota North Shore route recommends Jun – Oct, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 42°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Duluth in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Glensheen Mansion
1908 lakefront estate with original furnishings and terraced gardens.
Why now May scores 75/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Enger Tower
Five-story stone tower on a hill with a free climb and 360-degree harbor views.
Bent Paddle Brewing Co.
Popular Lincoln Park taproom of a Duluth craft brewery.
Duluth Lakewalk
Paved shoreline path from Canal Park toward Brighton Beach along Lake Superior.
Why now Highs near 60°F and 3.6 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Vikre Distillery
Canal Park distillery making gins and aquavit with North Woods botanicals.
Nearby in May
- Grand Marais in May~106 mi · highs 62°F, 3.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Minneapolis in May~137 mi · highs 68°F, 4.3 in rain · 5°C (8°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Decorah in May~241 mi · highs 68°F, 4.7 in rain · 5°C (8°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Door County in May~266 mi · highs 57°F, 3.7 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~354 m to Duluth's ~200 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Duluth in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Duluth?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 75/100 against a best of 86 in June – September. Expect highs of 60°F (16°C) and 3.6 in (91 mm) of rain. Our Minnesota North Shore route recommends Jun – Oct, so May is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Duluth in May?
Average highs are 60°F (16°C) and average lows 42°F (5°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Duluth in May?
Some: about 3.6 in (91 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 30.8 in (782 mm).
What should I pack for Duluth in May?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 42°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Duluth in May?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.