Late spring · Weather & things to do
Minneapolis in May
Minneapolis warms up: highs climb to 68°F (20°C), from 56°F in April, with lows of 46°F (8°C) and about 4.3 in (109 mm) of rain.
It scores 81/100 for comfort, 3rd of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 68°F (20°C)
- Avg low
- 46°F (8°C)
- Rain
- 4.3 in (109 mm)
- Humidity
- 71%
- Cloud cover
- 63%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 39 min
- Comfort score
- 81/100 · Great
What May feels like
Highs near 68°F (20°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 46°F (8°C), about 12°C (22°F) below the afternoon high.
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 4.3 in (109 mm).
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (August & September).
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (May – July), which brings about 13.1 in (333 mm) in total.
- Comfort improves from 71/100 in April to 81/100.
- 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 46°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Minneapolis in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Minnehaha Falls
53-foot waterfall in a city park with creek trails to the Mississippi.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best spring.
Indígena by Owamni
Sean Sherman's Indigenous kitchen, no dairy, wheat or cane sugar, now in the Guthrie Theater with river views.
Stone Arch Bridge
1883 railroad bridge turned walkway over St. Anthony Falls on the Mississippi.
Why now May scores 81/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Matt's Bar
Corner tavern claiming the original 'Jucy Lucy' cheese-stuffed burger.
Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Contemporary art museum beside the free garden with the Spoonbridge and Cherry.
Nearby in May
- Duluth in May~137 mi · highs 60°F, 3.6 in rain · 5°C (8°F) cooler by day, drier
- Decorah in May~137 mi · highs 68°F, 4.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Dubuque in May~215 mi · highs 70°F, 4.3 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Des Moines in May~235 mi · highs 73°F, 4.7 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Downtown Minneapolis & the Riverfront and Minnehaha Falls.
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.
Minneapolis in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Minneapolis?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 81/100 against a best of 88 in August & September. Expect highs of 68°F (20°C) and 4.3 in (109 mm) of rain. Our Minnesota North Shore route recommends Jun – Oct, so May is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Minneapolis in May?
Average highs are 68°F (20°C) and average lows 46°F (8°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Minneapolis in May?
Some: about 4.3 in (109 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 33.1 in (840 mm).
What should I pack for Minneapolis in May?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 46°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Minneapolis
Planning Minneapolis 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.