Düsseldorf

North Rhine-Westphalia Weather in May

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany in May.

Considering a trip to North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 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 North Rhine-Westphalia in May

North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany is a region in Germany. May in North Rhine-Westphalia generally has temperatures that range from mild to pleasant, with moderate precipitation.

Temperatures

During the day the temperature is mild in Schmallenberg at 17°C (63°F) and pleasant in Pulheim at 20°C (68°F). As night falls, temperatures generally drop to 10°C (50°F) in Pulheim and 7°C (45°F) in Schmallenberg.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Gangelt with an average of 59 mm (2.3 in) to moderate rainfall in Reiste with 99 mm (3.9 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is generally plentiful throughout many areas. Cologne enjoys about 199 hours of sunlight, ideal for those seeking sunny weather.

Explore North Rhine-Westphalia by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in North Rhine-Westphalia — and find the best time to visit. (based on Cologne)

Best Places to Visit in North Rhine-Westphalia in May

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across North Rhine-Westphalia.

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 North Rhine-Westphalia

What is the weather like in May for some of the most popular destinations in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany?

Temperature range in North Rhine-Westphalia (May)

Precipitation variation in North Rhine-Westphalia (May)

Cologne

In May Cologne generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 20°C (68°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 9°C (48°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
16°C (61°F)
20°C (68°F)
23°C (73°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
9°C (48°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly sun hours
173 hours
199 hours
203 hours
Monthly rainfall
58 mm (2.3 in)
67 mm (2.6 in)
78 mm (3.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
16 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Düsseldorf

In May Düsseldorf generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 20°C (68°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 10°C (50°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
16°C (61°F)
20°C (68°F)
22°C (72°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
10°C (50°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly sun hours
168 hours
199 hours
193 hours
Monthly rainfall
60 mm (2.4 in)
70 mm (2.8 in)
84 mm (3.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
16 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Winterberg

In May Winterberg generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 17°C (63°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
13°C (55°F)
17°C (63°F)
20°C (68°F)
Min temperature
4°C (39°F)
7°C (45°F)
10°C (50°F)
Monthly sun hours
150 hours
194 hours
190 hours
Monthly rainfall
73 mm (2.9 in)
87 mm (3.4 in)
96 mm (3.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
16 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Schmallenberg

In May Schmallenberg generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 17°C (63°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
13°C (55°F)
17°C (63°F)
20°C (68°F)
Min temperature
4°C (39°F)
7°C (45°F)
10°C (50°F)
Monthly rainfall
78 mm (3.1 in)
92 mm (3.6 in)
102 mm (4 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
16 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Essen

In May Essen generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 20°C (68°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 9°C (48°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
16°C (61°F)
20°C (68°F)
22°C (72°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
9°C (48°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly sun hours
150 hours
193 hours
185 hours
Monthly rainfall
62 mm (2.4 in)
72 mm (2.8 in)
84 mm (3.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
16 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in North Rhine-Westphalia, in Germany.

Popular cities in May

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in North Rhine-Westphalia in May.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Cologne 20°C (68°F) 9°C (48°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Winterberg 17°C (63°F) 7°C (45°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Düsseldorf 20°C (68°F) 10°C (50°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Schmallenberg 17°C (63°F) 7°C (45°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Essen 20°C (68°F) 9°C (48°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Bonn 19°C (66°F) 9°C (48°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)

North Rhine-Westphalia weather in May: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany in May?

May in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany brings perfect weather. In Cologne, daytime temperatures are typically around 20°C (68°F) and nighttime lows hover near 9°C (48°F).

What is the average temperature in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany in May?

Average temperatures in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany during May range from a nighttime low near 9°C (48°F) to a daytime high around 20°C (68°F) in Cologne.

Does North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany get a lot of rain in May?

Not particularly. Cologne averages just 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain in May, making it a mostly dry month for North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Is May a Good Time to Visit North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany?

We consider May to be one of the best times to travel to North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Typically, the climate in Cologne is perfect. However, the weather conditions may vary depending on your destination.

On average, the best time to visit North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany is in May, June, July, August and September with generally perfect weather in Cologne. On the other hand, the months of January, February, November and December tend to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in North Rhine-Westphalia.

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

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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