Whistler

British Columbia Weather in May

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in British Columbia, Canada in May.

Considering a trip to British Columbia, Canada this May and wondering about the expected weather conditions? Find all the crucial information you need right here, addressing your question:

What to Expect in British Columbia in May

British Columbia, Canada is a region in Canada. British Columbia, Canada has a wide variety of climate types. During May, you can expect temperatures that range from cold to warm and precipitation levels ranging from low to high.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from cold in Field at 9°C (48°F) to warm in Osoyoos at 22°C (72°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 7°C (45°F) in Osoyoos and -2°C (28°F) in Field.

For a closer look at conditions across British Columbia, Canada, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From low rainfall in Osoyoos with an average of 28 mm (1.1 in) to high rainfall in Kitimat with 146 mm (5.7 in).

Average sunshine

May brings good sunshine to many areas. Vancouver sees around 222 hours of sunlight, great for visitors looking for bright days.

Explore British Columbia by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in British Columbia — and find the best time to visit. (based on Vancouver)

Best Places to Visit in British Columbia in May

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

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 British Columbia

What is the weather like in May for some of the most popular destinations in British Columbia, Canada?

Temperature range in British Columbia (May)

Precipitation variation in British Columbia (May)

Vancouver

In May Vancouver generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 16°C (61°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 9°C (48°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
16°C (61°F)
19°C (66°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
9°C (48°F)
11°C (52°F)
Monthly sun hours
185 hours
222 hours
226 hours
Monthly rainfall
172 mm (6.8 in)
111 mm (4.4 in)
96 mm (3.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
12 days
10 days
Weather conditions

Whistler

In May Whistler generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 11°C (52°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 1°C (34°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
6°C (43°F)
11°C (52°F)
15°C (59°F)
Min temperature
-2°C (28°F)
1°C (34°F)
4°C (39°F)
Monthly sun hours
162 hours
207 hours
204 hours
Monthly rainfall
163 mm (6.4 in)
112 mm (4.4 in)
121 mm (4.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
13 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Victoria

In May Victoria generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 15°C (59°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 10°C (50°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
15°C (59°F)
16°C (61°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
10°C (50°F)
11°C (52°F)
Monthly sun hours
201 hours
270 hours
280 hours
Monthly rainfall
73 mm (2.9 in)
49 mm (1.9 in)
36 mm (1.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
9 days
8 days
Weather conditions

Kelowna

In May Kelowna generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 16°C (61°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
16°C (61°F)
19°C (66°F)
Min temperature
0°C (32°F)
5°C (41°F)
8°C (46°F)
Monthly sun hours
191 hours
238 hours
244 hours
Monthly rainfall
53 mm (2.1 in)
57 mm (2.2 in)
59 mm (2.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
11 days
10 days
Weather conditions

Ucluelet

In May Ucluelet generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 14°C (57°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 10°C (50°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
14°C (57°F)
15°C (59°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
10°C (50°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly sun hours
202 hours
269 hours
279 hours
Monthly rainfall
227 mm (8.9 in)
119 mm (4.7 in)
100 mm (3.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
14 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in British Columbia, in Canada.

Popular cities in May

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in British Columbia in May.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Vancouver 16°C (61°F) 9°C (48°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Whistler 11°C (52°F) 1°C (34°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Victoria 15°C (59°F) 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Kelowna 16°C (61°F) 5°C (41°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Ucluelet 14°C (57°F) 10°C (50°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Golden 11°C (52°F) -1°C (30°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)

British Columbia weather in May: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in British Columbia, Canada in May?

May in British Columbia, Canada brings unpleasant weather. In Vancouver, daytime temperatures are typically around 16°C (61°F) and nighttime lows hover near 9°C (48°F).

What is the average temperature in British Columbia, Canada in May?

Daytime temperatures in Vancouver peak at roughly 16°C (61°F) in May, dropping to about 9°C (48°F) overnight.

Does British Columbia, Canada get a lot of rain in May?

Yes, May tends to be a wetter month in British Columbia, Canada. Average rainfall in Vancouver sits around 111 mm (4.4 in).

Is May a Good Time to Visit British Columbia, Canada?

In our view, May might not be the best time to travel to British Columbia, Canada with often unpleasant weather in Vancouver.

On average, the best time to visit British Columbia, Canada is in July and August with generally perfect weather in Vancouver. On the other hand, the months of January, February, March, April, October, November and December tend to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in British Columbia.

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

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.

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Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.