Late spring · Weather & things to do
Lawrence in May
The year's rain peaks now, with about 5.5 in (140 mm) falling in Lawrence, alongside highs near 76°F (24°C) and lows of 55°F (13°C).
It scores 75/100 for comfort, 5th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 76°F (24°C)
- Avg low
- 55°F (13°C)
- Rain
- 5.5 in (140 mm)
- Humidity
- 75%
- Cloud cover
- 57%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 08 min
- Comfort score
- 75/100 · Great
What May feels like
Highs settle around 76°F (24°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
Lows average 55°F (13°C).
Rain is a real factor, with about 5.5 in (140 mm) across the month.
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (April and September & October).
- First warm month: highs reach 76°F, up from 67°F in April.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (May – July), which brings about 14.9 in (378 mm) in total.
- Comfort slips from 84/100 in April to 75/100.
- May sits inside the Apr – Oct window our Kansas City to Omaha route recommends.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clothes76°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes5.5 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Lawrence in May
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Jayhawk Cafe
'The Hawk,' a campus bar since 1919 with a warren of rooms.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 5.5 in of rain.
KU Natural History Museum
Home to a famous 1890s panorama of North American wildlife and fossils.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 5.5 in of rain.
Free State Brewing Company
Kansas's first legal brewery since Prohibition, opened in 1989 on Mass Street.
Why now Easy to slot in when May's rain moves in.
Spencer Museum of Art
Free university museum with a wide collection from Asian art to American painting.
Why now A good rainy-day backup in May.
Wheatfields Bakery Cafe
Wood-fired bread bakery and cafe off Mass Street, good for breakfast or sandwiches.
Nearby in May
- Kansas City in May~36 mi · highs 75°F, 5.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Springfield in May~161 mi · highs 74°F, 5.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Omaha in May~162 mi · highs 73°F, 4.8 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, drier
- Branson in May~195 mi · highs 77°F, 5.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
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.
Lawrence in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Lawrence?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 75/100 against a best of 90 in April and September & October. Expect highs of 76°F (24°C) and 5.5 in (140 mm) of rain. May is inside the Apr – Oct window our Kansas City to Omaha route recommends.
How hot is Lawrence in May?
Average highs are 76°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 Lawrence in May?
Yes: about 5.5 in (140 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 39.3 in (998 mm).
What should I pack for Lawrence in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (76°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (5.5 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in May
- Kansas City to Omaha Apr – Oct
Planning Lawrence in May?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.