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Johannesburg in May: Weather, Average temperature and Climate

Take a look at past year’s weather for Johannesburg in May and see if it is worth visiting.
Check flight prices to Johannesburg on Avionero:
May

Weather in Johannesburg in May 2024

Great Weather
Mild
☀️
Sunny
If you're looking for a destination with great weather in May, look no more – Johannesburg is a perfect choice. Expect average maximum temperatures of +66°F and plenty of sunshine, with around 21 sunny days. Just keep in mind that there may be some rainfall, with approximately 16 mm of precipitation over an average of 2 rainy days. So, pack your sunglasses, a beach towel, and great walking shoes, as it's most likely going to be amazing weather. Search flights in one click on Avionero.

Average weather

☀️
+66°F
Avg. max. temperature
+27°F
Min.
+81°F
Max.
16 mm
Total precipitation
60%
Avg. humidity
1 m/s
Avg. wind
21 ☀️
Sunny Days
8 ⛅️
Cloudy
2 🌦
Rainy
Our opinion: Johannesburg has great weather in May.

Average temperature in Johannesburg in May

Here are the expected maximum, average and minimum temperatures in Johannesburg for May based on the historical data.
Last Year
Historical Data

Going from a maximum of +73°F during the day to a minimum of +36°F during the night, the temperature in May averages around +66°F.

The average maximum temperature goes down 38% by the end of the month, compared with the beginning of the month, from +70°F to +55°F.

Is Johannesburg warm or cold in May?

Johannesburg is typically mild in May.

Maximum temperatures go down compared to the previous month from +70°F to +66°F. The minimum temperature also goes down from +50°F to +43°F.

Pack a light jacket as it will be warm in the day and cool in the evenings.

May is one of the coolest months in Johannesburg, here is the comparison with other months:

Climate in Johannesburg in May

Johannesburg weather looks like this, on average, in May and the surrounding months.
AprilMayJune
Avg. temperature
+70°F+66°F+63°F
Min. temperature
+32°F+27°F+23°F
Max. temperature
+84°F+81°F+77°F
Rainfall
51 mm16 mm10 mm
Wind
1 m/s1 m/s1 m/s
Humidity
68%60%59%
Air pressure
1019 HPa1021 HPa1023 HPa
Sunny days
132123
Cloudy days
1286
Rainy days
521
Snowy days
000

May often has better weather than April. It’s getting colder in May. From +70°F in the day, the average maximum temperature lowers to +66°F. As May arrives, the amount of rainfall goes down. On average, the rainfall volume decreases from 51 mm to 16 mm. It feels drier, as humidity decreases from 68% to 60%. The average wind speed doesn’t change much during May, staying around 1 m/s. The good news is there are likely to be more sunny days in May, from 13 to 21.

June brings much the same weather, it remains great.

Wind

Wind speed in Johannesburg in May based on historical data.
Last Year
Historical Data

The average wind speed is 1 m/s getting up to 2 m/s which is a light breeze; barely moving the tree leaves.

The average wind speed in Johannesburg is gradually increasing during May, going from 1 m/s to 2 m/s over the course of the month.

Rain

Amount of rainfall in mm during May in Johannesburg based on historical data.
Last Year
Historical Data
Typically, there is a 29% chance of rain on an average day in May, with total rainfall of approximately 56 mm. The maximum amount of rainfall per day is around 28 mm, which is moderate rain. On average, there are about 9 rainy days during May, so prepare to bring an umbrella.
Here’s how May is compared with other months in the amount of precipitation, total mm:
Johannesburg wettest month is December, where a typical day has a 45% chance of precipitation and 148 mm of rainfall per day. July, on the other hand, is the driest month with a mere 3% chance of precipitation and 4 mm of rainfall per day.

How was the weather last May in Johannesburg?

This is the weather in Johannesburg in May 2023:
1 May
☀️
+70°F
2 May
☀️
+70°F
3 May
☀️
+68°F
4 May
☀️
+69°F
5 May
☀️
+70°F
6 May
☀️
+70°F
7 May
☀️
+69°F
8 May
☁️
+57°F
9 May
☀️
+65°F
10 May
☀️
+69°F
11 May
☀️
+71°F
12 May
☀️
+71°F
13 May
☀️
+71°F
14 May
☁️
+71°F
15 May
☁️
+68°F
16 May
☁️
+63°F
17 May
☁️
+63°F
18 May
☀️
+63°F
19 May
☀️
+64°F
20 May
☀️
+65°F
21 May
🌧️
+51°F
22 May
☁️
+57°F
23 May
☀️
+62°F
24 May
☀️
+69°F
25 May
☀️
+73°F
26 May
☀️
+71°F
27 May
☀️
+69°F
28 May
☀️
+65°F
29 May
☀️
+67°F
30 May
☀️
+63°F
31 May
☀️
+56°F
In May 2023 Johannesburg had 24 sunny days, 6 cloudy days, and 1 rainy days. The average maximum temperature was +66°F, with an absolute maximum of +73°F and a minimum of +50°F. The average humidity was 65%, with a maximum of 96% and a minimum of 28%. The average wind speed was 1 m/s, with a maximum of 8 m/s and a minimum of 0 m/s.
Are you planning a trip in May?

Climate Change Over the Years

This is how Johannesburg climate has changed over the last 43 years.

The climate in Johannesburg in May has not changed that much over the last 43 years.

The average temperature was the lowest in 1997 (+63°F) and the highest in 2015 (+75°F). The driest year was 1992 with only 0 mm of rainfall, and the wettest year was 1998 with 0 mm.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the weather in Johannesburg in May:

Is May a good time to visit Johannesburg?

Yes, May is a great time to go to Johannesburg, the weather couldn’t be better. Be ready to get outside, explore and enjoy. Check what other months that are a good time to visit Johannesburg.

Can you sunbathe in Johannesburg in May?

May has mild temperatures in Johannesburg. Not ideal for sunbathing, but still good for daytime outdoor activities, but plan for cool evenings. Pack a light jacket and shorts!

Is Johannesburg rainy in May?

Johannesburg is usually dry in May. Plan your packing around outdoor activities and exploring.

Is it sunny in Johannesburg in May?

Yes, Johannesburg is sunny in May. Prepare for lots of rays. Don’t forget to pack your sunglasses and sunscreen, and maybe pick up a wide-brimmed hat when you arrive.

Other cities in South Africa

Check out the weather for other cities in South Africa.

Monthly weather in Johannesburg

Source of the data

For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Johannesburg, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2022.

For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.