Late spring · Weather & things to do
Kansas City in May
The year's rain peaks now, with about 5.6 in (141 mm) falling in Kansas City, alongside highs near 75°F (24°C) and lows of 55°F (13°C).
It scores 74/100 for comfort, 4th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 75°F (24°C)
- Avg low
- 55°F (13°C)
- Rain
- 5.6 in (141 mm)
- Humidity
- 76%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 08 min
- Comfort score
- 74/100 · Good
What May feels like
Highs settle around 75°F (24°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 55°F (13°C).
Expect regular rain: about 5.6 in (141 mm) falls in the month.
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (September & October).
- First warm month: highs reach 75°F, up from 67°F in April.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (May – July), which brings about 15.4 in (390 mm) in total.
- Comfort slips from 82/100 in April to 74/100.
- May sits inside the Apr – Oct window our Kansas City to Omaha route recommends.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clothes75°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes5.6 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Kansas City in May
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Arthur Bryant's Barbeque
Barbecue institution with vinegar-forward sauce and piles of burnt ends.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 5.6 in of rain.
Tom's Town Distilling Co.
Art Deco distillery and cocktail bar named for Prohibition-era boss Tom Pendergast.
Why now Easy to slot in when May's rain moves in.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Moving history of Black baseball in the 18th & Vine Jazz District.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 5.6 in of rain.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Free encyclopedic museum with the giant Shuttlecocks on its sculpture lawn.
Why now A good rainy-day backup in May.
Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
Barbecue served out of a working gas station; the Z-Man sandwich is the order.
Why now Keeps part of the day dry on wetter May days.
Nearby in May
- Lawrence in May~36 mi · highs 76°F, 5.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Springfield in May~148 mi · highs 74°F, 5.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Omaha in May~165 mi · highs 73°F, 4.8 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, drier
- Des Moines in May~179 mi · highs 73°F, 4.7 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, drier
These averages also cover Country Club Plaza and Downtown Kansas City.
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.
Kansas City in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Kansas City?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 74/100 against a best of 89 in September & October. Expect highs of 75°F (24°C) and 5.6 in (141 mm) of rain. May is inside the Apr – Oct window our Kansas City to Omaha route recommends.
How hot is Kansas City in May?
Average highs are 75°F (24°C) and average lows 55°F (13°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Kansas City in May?
Yes: about 5.6 in (141 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 40.9 in (1039 mm).
What should I pack for Kansas City in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (75°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (5.6 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Kansas City
Routes in season in May
- Kansas City to Omaha Apr – Oct
Planning Kansas City in May?
Share this May plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.