Late spring · Weather & things to do
White Mountains in May
White Mountains warms up: highs climb to 44°F (7°C), from 31°F in April, with lows of 24°F (-4°C) and about 4.3 in (109 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 45/100, 5th of 12.
- Avg high
- 44°F (7°C)
- Avg low
- 24°F (-4°C)
- Rain or snow
- 4.3 in (109 mm)
- Humidity
- 81%
- Cloud cover
- 69%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 35 min
- Comfort score
- 45/100 · Fair
What May feels like
Cool days top out near 44°F (7°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 24°F (-4°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 4.3 in (109 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with lows well below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Plan around May
May sits mid-table; the best months are July & August.
- Last month with freezing nights on average; by June, lows rise to 34°F.
- Comfort improves from 40/100 in April to 45/100.
- Our Stowe, Woodstock & the White Mountains route recommends Dec – Mar, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Insulated jackethighs only 44°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 24°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 4.3 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in White Mountains in May
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Bretton Woods
New Hampshire's largest ski area, with long cruising runs facing Mount Washington and a big Nordic center.
Wildcat Mountain
Ski area in Pinkham Notch with direct views across to Mount Washington and Tuckerman Ravine.
Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing
Brewpub on the main road into North Conway, serving smoked barbecue with its own beers.
Honeymoon Bridge
Red 1876 covered bridge over the Ellis River that serves as the entrance to Jackson village.
Crawford Notch State Park
Steep mountain pass carrying US-302 between granite walls, with frozen waterfalls and snowshoe trails in winter.
Nearby in May
- Vermont in May~66 mi · highs 64°F, 4.3 in rain · 11°C (20°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Portland, Maine in May~67 mi · highs 54°F, 4.0 in rain · 5°C (10°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Stowe in May~70 mi · highs 64°F, 4.3 in rain · 11°C (20°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Woodstock in May~75 mi · highs 66°F, 3.7 in rain · 12°C (22°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~488 m to White Mountains's ~1,891 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.
White Mountains in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit White Mountains?
It's middling, scoring 45/100. The best months are July & August, at up to 69. Expect highs of 44°F (7°C) and 4.3 in (109 mm) of rain or snow. Our Stowe, Woodstock & the White Mountains route recommends Dec – Mar, so May is outside its suggested window.
How cold is White Mountains in May?
Average highs are 44°F (7°C) and average lows 24°F (-4°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in White Mountains in May?
Some: about 4.3 in (109 mm) of rain or snow falls across May on average, the 5th-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 47.3 in (1201 mm).
What should I pack for White Mountains in May?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 44°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 24°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 4.3 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on White Mountains
Planning White Mountains in May?
Share this May plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.