Nelson Region Weather in May

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Nelson Region, New Zealand in May.

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Nelson Hira

Considering a trip to Nelson Region, New Zealand 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 Nelson Region in May

Nelson Region, New Zealand is a region in New Zealand. May in Nelson Region generally has mild temperatures, with high precipitation.

Temperatures

You can expect mild maximum daytime temperatures of around 15°C (59°F) and nighttime temperatures around 8°C (46°F) in Nelson.

To explore the conditions in Nelson Region, New Zealand in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From high rainfall in Hira with an average of 119 mm (4.7 in) to high rainfall in Nelson with 123 mm (4.8 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is moderately available across various locations. In Nelson, you can expect around 176 hours of sunlight in May, which gives a pleasant combination of sun and shade. For those who want maximum sunshine, our weather planner can point you toward the sunniest places on Earth.

Explore Nelson Region by month

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

January21°C (70°F) February21°C (70°F) March20°C (68°F) April17°C (63°F) May15°C (59°F) June12°C (54°F) This monthJuly12°C (54°F) August12°C (54°F) September14°C (57°F) October16°C (61°F) November17°C (63°F) December19°C (66°F)
Best Time to Visit Nelson Region →

Best Places to Visit in Nelson Region in May

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

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 Nelson Region

What is the weather like in May for some of the most popular destinations in Nelson Region, New Zealand?

Temperature range in Nelson Region (May)

Precipitation variation in Nelson Region (May)

Nelson

In May Nelson generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 15°C (59°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 8°C (46°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

« April
May
June »
April
May
June
Max temperature
17°C (63°F)
15°C (59°F)
12°C (54°F)
Min temperature
10°C (50°F)
8°C (46°F)
6°C (43°F)
Monthly sun hours
195 hours
176 hours
144 hours
Monthly rainfall
115 mm (4.5 in)
123 mm (4.8 in)
136 mm (5.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
10 days
10 days
Weather conditions
unpleasant
unpleasant
poor
Climate in Nelson →

Hira

In May Hira generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 15°C (59°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 8°C (46°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

« April
May
June »
April
May
June
Max temperature
17°C (63°F)
15°C (59°F)
13°C (55°F)
Min temperature
10°C (50°F)
8°C (46°F)
6°C (43°F)
Monthly sun hours
195 hours
176 hours
144 hours
Monthly rainfall
113 mm (4.4 in)
119 mm (4.7 in)
131 mm (5.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
10 days
10 days
Weather conditions
unpleasant
unpleasant
poor
Climate in Hira →

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Nelson Region, in New Zealand.

In our records: New Zealand May extremes

Notable May records observed across cities in New Zealand in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • In our records, the coldest May daytime high in New Zealand was -6°C (21°F) in Franz Josef on May 28, 2013.

Popular cities in May

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Nelson Region in May.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Nelson 15°C (59°F) 8°C (46°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
Hira 15°C (59°F) 8°C (46°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)

Nelson Region weather in May: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Nelson Region, New Zealand in May?

May in Nelson Region, New Zealand brings unpleasant weather. In Nelson, daytime temperatures are typically around 15°C (59°F) and nighttime lows hover near 8°C (46°F).

What is the average temperature in Nelson Region, New Zealand in May?

Nelson averages a daytime maximum of 15°C (59°F) in May, with overnight lows close to 8°C (46°F).

Does Nelson Region, New Zealand get a lot of rain in May?

Nelson Region, New Zealand sees substantial rainfall in May. Nelson typically averages about 123 mm (4.8 in), a mix of wet and dry days, but bring an umbrella.

Is May a Good Time to Visit Nelson Region, New Zealand?

In our view, May might not be the best time to travel to Nelson Region, New Zealand with often unpleasant weather in Nelson.

On average, the best time to visit Nelson Region, New Zealand is in February and March with generally perfect weather in Nelson. The weather in June, July and August, on the other hand, tends to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Nelson Region.

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

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.

Bucket list

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

The Tongariro Crossing in New Zealand

It is called the most beautiful walk in New Zealand, the Tongariro Crossing. The official hiking season starts late October until end of April.

White-water sledge and raft in Rotorua

We recommend to white-water sledge and raft in Rotorua in summer (January, February) when the Glacier melt fills the rivers. This is the best time.
Must visit in New Zealand →