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Bournemouth Weather in May
May in Bournemouth brings moderate temperatures, with daytime highs of 16°C (61°F) and nights around 10°C (50°F). Expect around 58 mm (2.3 in) of rainfall during the month.
Rainfall in Bournemouth in May
Typically around 13 days of rainfall are expected, averaging 58 mm (2.3 in) for the month. Rain this month is fairly typical, a standard mix of wet and dry days with no particularly heavy or persistent showers.
Temperature in Bournemouth in May
May in Bournemouth brings moderate temperatures, with highs of 16°C (61°F) and nights around 10°C (50°F). Temperatures can feel cooler in the morning and evening, so layering is often the best approach. At 10°C (50°F) overnight, it gets properly cold after dark. On the bright side, cold nights tend to make for excellent sleeping conditions.
Sunshine in Bournemouth in May
There are approximately 215 hours of sunshine this month, resulting in mostly clear days.If your ideal day consists of dry skies and pleasant temperatures, July and August typically offer the best circumstances for Bournemouth.
Bournemouth Temperature in May
Min Temperature
10°C (50°F)
Max Temperature
16°C (61°F)
Chance of Rain
44%
Precipitation
58 mm (2.3 in)
Rainy days
13 days
Humidity
74% *
Sunshine
215 hours *
Percentage Sunshine
44% *
* Data from: Southampton, the United Kingdom (39 KM, 24 Miles).
Bournemouth Weather by Month
Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Bournemouth - and find the best time to visit.
Daily Historical Temperatures
50-year average (1976-2025)
Based on our historical records, temperatures in Bournemouth typically stay consistent throughout May, with daily highs averaging around 16°C (61°F). Nights are cold, with lows typically ranging from 6°C (43°F) to 9°C (48°F).
Average temperatures in May
Daily Historical Precipitation
50-year average (1976-2025)
Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.
Average precipitation in May
Historical weather records for Bournemouth in May
Browse day-by-day weather records for Bournemouth spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.
Bournemouth historical weather extremes in May
Based on weather observations in Bournemouth between 1976 and 2026, these are the recorded extremes during May.
- The warmest day in May was on May 25, 2026, with a maximum of 31°C (88°F).
- The coldest May day was on May 18, 1996, with a maximum of 7°C (45°F).
- The coldest night in May in Bournemouth was on May 5, 1982, with a minimum of -3°C (27°F).
- The wettest May day on record brought 32 mm (1.3 in) of precipitation to Bournemouth (May 14, 2015).
Best Places in the United Kingdom in May
Find out more about the weather in the United Kingdom and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of the United Kingdom in May →
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).
What to Wear in Bournemouth in May
The weather can be unpredictable in May, so pack clothes you can easily mix and match. You could bring jeans, other long pants, and a few t-shirts. A light jacket or light sweater will be pleasant for the cooler moments. Rain is likely on several days, so bring a good rain jacket. Don't forget sun protection, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. These are all good ideas with this much sunshine.
What To Do in Bournemouth in May
We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.
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Cycling6/10 -
Walking6/10 -
Camping4/10 -
Outdoor sports10/10
Bournemouth 3-Day Forecast
More climate data for Bournemouth
Temperature Rainfall Sunshine Humidity
See the full Bournemouth climate overview or explore weather in the United Kingdom.
Popular in May
Where to go in May - average daytime high across popular destinations.
London
18°C (64°F) Bath17°C (63°F) Manchester
17°C (63°F) York17°C (63°F) Torquay15°C (59°F) Glasgow15°C (59°F) Edinburgh15°C (59°F) Blackpool14°C (57°F) Bucket list
Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.
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