Mud festival in South Korea
In July, the peaceful seaside town of Boryeong turned into a chaos of mud for 9 days. We recommend putting this festival on your bucket list.
Gwangju Weather in May
Gwangju in May sees high temperatures, with highs around 25°C (77°F) and overnight lows of 12°C (54°F). Rainfall is fairly high at around 102 mm (4 in) on average, so pack waterproofs just in case.
Rainfall in Gwangju in May
Rain is expected on roughly 9 days, totalling around 102 mm (4 in) for the month. Rainfall intensity is on the higher side this month. Expect more substantial showers rather than light, passing rain.
Temperature in Gwangju in May
Daytime temperatures in Gwangju reach 25°C (77°F) in May, dropping to 12°C (54°F) at night. Conditions stay fairly consistent through the month, making it easier to plan what to wear. Nights cool down to 12°C (54°F), so a light jacket or extra layer is useful once the sun goes down. On the plus side, the cooler nights make for comfortable sleeping conditions.
Sunshine in Gwangju in May
Expect sunny days throughout the month, with an estimated 228 hours of sunshine. This makes it a pleasant time to visit Gwangju.If your ideal day consists of dry skies and pleasant temperatures, April and October typically offer the best circumstances for Gwangju.
Gwangju Temperature in May
Min Temperature
12°C (54°F)
Max Temperature
25°C (77°F)
Chance of Rain
29%
Precipitation
102 mm (4 in)
Rainy days
9 days
Humidity
66% *
Sunshine
228 hours *
Percentage Sunshine
52% *
* Data from: Kwangju, South Korea (7 KM, 4 Miles).
Gwangju Weather by Month
Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Gwangju - and find the best time to visit.
Daily Historical Temperatures
50-year average (1976-2025)
Based on our historical records, temperatures in Gwangju typically rise from around 22°C (72°F) at the start of May to approximately 26°C (79°F) by the end. Nights are cool, with lows typically ranging from 11°C (52°F) to 16°C (61°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 Gwangju in May
Browse day-by-day weather records for Gwangju spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.
Gwangju historical weather extremes in May
According to our 50 years of weather records for Gwangju, the following extremes were recorded between 1976 and 2026.
- The hottest May day on record in Gwangju reached 34°C (93°F) (May 22, 1978).
- The coldest May day was on May 5, 1994, with a maximum of 13°C (55°F).
- The lowest overnight temperature recorded in May was 3°C (37°F) (May 19, 1994).
Best Places in South Korea in May
Find out more about the weather in South Korea and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of South Korea 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 Gwangju in May
Warm temperatures in May make for comfortable sightseeing weather. Pack breathable fabrics like cotton shirts, knee-length shorts or skirts, and comfortable walking shoes. A thin long sleeve for indoor spaces is handy. Prepare for significant rainfall with proper waterproof clothing and shoes. Don't forget sun protection, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. These are all good ideas with this much sunshine.
What To Do in Gwangju in May
We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.
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Swimming9/10 -
Cycling7/10 -
Walking7/10 -
Camping6/10 -
Outdoor sports7/10
Gwangju 3-Day Forecast
More climate data for Gwangju
Temperature Rainfall Sunshine Humidity
See the full Gwangju climate overview or explore weather in South Korea.
Popular in May
Where to go in May - average daytime high across popular destinations.
Seoul
24°C (75°F) Jeonju25°C (77°F) Suwon24°C (75°F) Gyeongju25°C (77°F) Seogwipo
22°C (72°F) Incheon21°C (70°F) Busan22°C (72°F) Jeju20°C (68°F) Bucket list
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