Antarctica

Antarctica Weather in May

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Antarctica in May.

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Vostok Station

Planning a trip to Antarctica this May? Here's what you need to know about the weather:

What to Expect in Antarctica in May

May in Antarctica generally has very cold temperatures, with low precipitation.

Temperatures

You can expect very cold maximum daytime temperatures of around -4°C (25°F) and nighttime temperatures around -8°C (18°F) in Vostok Station. In many regions in Antarctica, May is characterized by its biting cold temperatures. If you're venturing into these areas during this time, it's crucial to be adequately prepared. Ensure you layer up with warm clothing to fight off the chill and stay comfortable.

For specific regional insights in Antarctica, refer to the map provided below.

Precipitation

May is a dry month with an average snowfall of around 24 mm (0.9 in) in Vostok Station.

Average sunshine

Sunshine tends to be more scarce in many locations. Vostok Station gets roughly 0 hours of sunlight. For sunnier alternatives, check our weather planner to find destinations with better conditions.

Explore Antarctica by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Antarctica - and find the best time to visit. (based on Vostok Station)

January-20°C (-4°F) February-20°C (-4°F) March-18°C (0°F) April-12°C (10°F) May-4°C (25°F) June2°C (36°F) This monthJuly3°C (37°F) August3°C (37°F) September1°C (34°F) October-7°C (19°F) November-14°C (7°F) December-18°C (0°F)
Best Time to Visit Antarctica →

Best Places to Visit in Antarctica in May

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Antarctica.

Conditions Temperatures Precipitation
perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Antarctica

What is the weather like in May for the most popular destinonation in Antarctica?

Vostok Station

In May Vostok Station generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -4°C (25°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -8°C (18°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

« April
May
June »
April
May
June
Max temperature
-12°C (10°F)
-4°C (25°F)
2°C (36°F)
Min temperature
-17°C (1°F)
-8°C (18°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Monthly sun hours
77 hours
0 hours
0 hours
Monthly snowfall
19 mm (0.7 in)
24 mm (0.9 in)
32 mm (1.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
2 days
3 days
2 days
Weather conditions
less favorable
less favorable
less favorable
Climate in Vostok Station →

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Antarctica.

Antarctica weather in May: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Antarctica in May?

Antarctica typically experiences less favorable weather in May, part of the season. Daytime highs in Vostok Station average around -4°C (25°F), and temperatures drop to about -8°C (18°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in Antarctica in May?

Daytime temperatures in Vostok Station peak at roughly -4°C (25°F) in May, dropping to about -8°C (18°F) overnight.

Does Antarctica get a lot of snow in May?

Not particularly. Vostok Station averages just 24 mm (0.9 in) of snow in May, making it a mostly dry month for Antarctica.

Is May a Good Time to Visit Antarctica?

Given the typically less favorable weather conditions in Vostok Station, May may not be the ideal time to visit Antarctica.

Generally speaking, provide less favorable weather in Vostok Station.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Antarctica.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Antarctica? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Antarctica.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.