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Nelson Weather in May

Nelson in May sees moderate daytime temperatures of 15°C (59°F) and nighttime lows of 8°C (46°F). Rainfall is fairly high this month at around 123 mm (4.8 in), so pack a rain jacket to stay dry.

Rainfall in Nelson in May

Typically, you can expect about 10 days of rain this month, with 123 mm (4.8 in) on average. The rain this month tends to fall in heavier spells rather than light drizzle. When it rains, showers can be significant.

Temperature in Nelson in May

Nelson in May gets highs of 15°C (59°F) during the day and drops to 8°C (46°F) at night. Conditions are often most pleasant around the middle of the day. Nights drop to 8°C (46°F). Cold nights like these are actually great for sleeping well, as long as you have a warm enough duvet.

Sunshine in Nelson in May

You can expect a moderate amount of sunlight, with approximately 176 hours. This means a pleasant mix of sun and overcast.

For Nelson itself, February and March generally stand out with the best circumstances. If you're seeking pleasant, dry and sunny weather somewhere else in the world, our weather planner can help you explore other options.

Nelson Temperature in May

Min Temperature

8°C (46°F)

Max Temperature

15°C (59°F)

Chance of Rain

33%

Precipitation

123 mm (4.8 in)

Rainy days

10 days

Humidity

88%

Sunshine

176 hours

Percentage Sunshine

Nelson Weather by Month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Nelson - and find the best time to visit.

January

21°C (70°F)View January → February

21°C (70°F)View February → March

20°C (68°F)View March → April

17°C (63°F)View April → May

15°C (59°F)View May → June

12°C (54°F)View June → July

12°C (54°F)View July → August

12°C (54°F)View August → This monthSeptember

14°C (57°F)View September → October

16°C (61°F)View October → November

17°C (63°F)View November → December

19°C (66°F)View December →

Best Time to Visit Nelson →

Daily Historical Temperatures

50-year average (1976-2025)

Based on our historical records, temperatures in Nelson typically stay consistent throughout May, with daily highs averaging around 15°C (59°F). Nights are cold, with lows typically ranging from 5°C (41°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 Nelson in May

Browse day-by-day weather records for Nelson spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.

Nelson historical weather extremes in May

Based on 50 years of weather observations (1976-2026), these are the most extreme conditions recorded in Nelson.

On May 1, 2011, temperatures climbed to 22°C (72°F), marking the warmest May day on record.
On May 15, 1994, Nelson saw its coldest May day with temperatures maxing out at 5°C (41°F).
The coldest night in May in Nelson was on May 27, 1988, with a minimum of -3°C (27°F).

Best Places in New Zealand in May

Find out more about the weather in New Zealand and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of New Zealand in May →

Conditions Temperatures Precipitation

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).

Marker color shows the average daytime high temperature in May: blue is cold, red is hot.

Marker color shows total monthly precipitation in May: pale blue is dry, deep blue is wet.

What to Wear in Nelson in May

The weather can swing between comfortable and chilly in May, so flexibility is key. Pack a variety of tops, at least one warm layer, and both shorts and long pants. This gives you options no matter what the day brings. Expect heavy rainfall, so bring good rain protection and waterproof bags. It won't hurt to bring your sunglasses along, as you'll see some sunny periods.