Late spring · Weather & things to do
New Orleans in May
New Orleans warms up: highs climb to 82°F (28°C), from 76°F in April, with lows of 71°F (22°C) and about 4.7 in (119 mm) of rain.
It scores 79/100 for comfort, 5th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 82°F (28°C)
- Avg low
- 71°F (22°C)
- Rain
- 4.7 in (119 mm)
- Humidity
- 76%
- Cloud cover
- 44%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 30 min
- Comfort score
- 79/100 · Great
What May feels like
Days are warm, averaging 82°F (28°C).
Lows average 71°F (22°C).
With 76% average humidity, it feels muggy.
Some rain is likely, about 4.7 in (119 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 (March and November).
- Comfort improves from 76/100 in April to 79/100.
- May sits inside the Feb – May window our New Orleans & Gulf Coast route recommends.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clothes82°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Quick-dry fabrics76% average humidity
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 4.7 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in New Orleans in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
St. Charles Avenue Streetcar
1920s green streetcar line past Garden District oaks and mansions.
Why now May scores 79/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Preservation Hall
Tiny hall dedicated to traditional New Orleans jazz, sets nightly.
The Spotted Cat Music Club
Small Frenchmen Street bar with nonstop live jazz and swing dancing.
Why now Highs near 82°F and 4.7 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Café du Monde
Open-air coffee stand serving beignets and chicory café au lait since 1862.
Dooky Chase's Restaurant
Leah Chase's Tremé restaurant for gumbo and Creole fried chicken.
Nearby in May
- Mobile in May~132 mi · highs 81°F, 4.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Gulf Shores in May~143 mi · highs 78°F, 3.7 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, drier
- Clarksdale in May~295 mi · highs 81°F, 5.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
These averages also cover French Quarter & Riverfront and Garden District & Uptown.
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.
New Orleans in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit New Orleans?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 79/100 against a best of 92 in March and November. Expect highs of 82°F (28°C) and 4.7 in (119 mm) of rain. May is inside the Feb – May window our New Orleans & Gulf Coast route recommends.
How hot is New Orleans in May?
Average highs are 82°F (28°C) and average lows 71°F (22°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in New Orleans in May?
Some: about 4.7 in (119 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 60.4 in (1533 mm).
What should I pack for New Orleans in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (82°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), quick-dry fabrics (76% average humidity), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 4.7 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on New Orleans
Routes in season in May
- New Orleans & Gulf Coast Feb – May
Planning New Orleans in May?
Share this May plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.