Late spring · Weather & things to do
Seward in May
Seward warms up: highs climb to 46°F (8°C), from 39°F in April, with lows of 41°F (5°C) and about 6.2 in (157 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 38/100, 5th of 12.
- Avg high
- 46°F (8°C)
- Avg low
- 41°F (5°C)
- Rain
- 6.2 in (157 mm)
- Humidity
- 88%
- Cloud cover
- 80%
- Daylight
- ~16 h 50 min
- Comfort score
- 38/100 · Tough
What May feels like
Afternoons only reach about 46°F (8°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Lows average 41°F (5°C).
Expect regular rain: about 6.2 in (157 mm) falls in the month.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 80%.
Long days help: there are roughly 16 h 50 min of daylight mid-month.
Plan around May
May sits mid-table; the best months are June – August.
- Comfort improves from 27/100 in April to 38/100.
- Our Alaska Glacier Route recommends Jun – Aug, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Insulated jackethighs only 46°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Seward in May
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Seward Brewing Company
Downtown brewpub with house beers and Alaska-sourced food.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 46°F.
Alaska SeaLife Center
Aquarium and marine rescue center with Steller sea lions, puffins and harbor seals.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 46°F.
Resurrection Roadhouse
Lodge restaurant at Seward Windsong Lodge on the road to Exit Glacier.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Ray's Waterfront
Long-running harbor restaurant for fresh halibut, salmon and crab.
Exit Glacier
Kenai Fjords' only road-accessible glacier, with signs showing its retreat since 1815.
Nearby in May
- Anchorage in May~79 mi · highs 53°F, 1.9 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, drier
- Homer in May~80 mi · highs 48°F, 3.5 in rain · 1°C (3°F) warmer by day, drier
- Talkeetna in May~155 mi · highs 54°F, 3.4 in rain · 5°C (9°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~505 m to Seward's ~35 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.
Seward in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Seward?
It's middling, scoring 38/100. The best months are June – August, at up to 58. Expect highs of 46°F (8°C) and 6.2 in (157 mm) of rain. Our Alaska Glacier Route recommends Jun – Aug, so May is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Seward in May?
Average highs are 46°F (8°C) and average lows 41°F (5°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Seward in May?
Yes: about 6.2 in (157 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 103.7 in (2635 mm).
What should I pack for Seward in May?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 46°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Seward 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.