May weather forecast
New Bedford, MA

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Amazing stonework looking over at the white Breakwater Entrance Lighthouse in the New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts
Amazing stonework looking over at the white Breakwater Entrance Lighthouse in the New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts

Weather in May

May brings a clear heralding of spring to New Bedford, before transitioning into summer. The drastic increase in temperatures becomes evident, with highs soaring to 62.4°F (16.9°C). Many residents and tourists start to consider trips to the seaside, as the sea temperature begins to rise. It is a month characterized by a gentle mix of spring and the upcoming summer. The air is filled with a sense of expectancy, as each day gets warmer and longer, preparing the city for the bustling activity of the summer months.

Temperature

The average high-temperature increases in May, moving from a cool 53.2°F (11.8°C) in April to a comfortable 62.4°F (16.9°C). The nighttime temperature dips to a cool 50.7°F (10.4°C) on average during May.

Humidity

The average relative humidity in May is 78%.

Rainfall

In New Bedford, in May, during 13.3 rainfall days, 1.5" (38mm) of precipitation is typically accumulated. Throughout the year, there are 133.2 rainfall days, and 17.2" (437mm) of precipitation is accumulated.

Snowfall

In New Bedford, snow does not fall in May through October.

Ocean temperature

In New Bedford, in May, the average water temperature is 50.4°F (10.2°C).
Note: Swimming in 50.4°F (10.2°C) poses a severe threat. Even short exposure to 55.4°F (13°C) is chilling, and going below 50°F (10°C) can cause breathing irregularities and intense cold shock, based on one's stamina.

Daylight

In May, the average length of the day is 14h and 33min.
On the first day of May, sunrise is at 5:39 am and sunset at 7:42 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 5:11 am and sunset at 8:11 pm EDT.

Sunshine

In May, the average sunshine is 8.5h.

UV index

In May, the average daily maximum UV index is 5. A UV Index reading of 3 to 5 represents a medium health hazard from unsafe exposure to UV radiation for average individuals.
Note: In May, a daily UV index of 5 turns into the following recommendations:
Put precautions into practice - Guidance to elude sunburn is provided. Avoiding direct sunlight during midday hours helps reduce the risk from intense UV radiation. Experience reduced UV exposure by about half when donning a wide-brim hat. Take warning! The intensity of the Sun's UV radiation can be nearly amplified twice due to snow reflection.

Frequently asked questions

What is the temperature in May?

The high-temperature, in May, in New Bedford, is 62.4°F (16.9°C), while the low-temperature averages to 50.7°F (10.4°C).

What is the average humidity in May?

In New Bedford, the average relative humidity in May is 78%.

How much does it rain in May?

In New Bedford, during May, the rain falls for 13.3 days and regularly aggregates up to 1.5" (38mm) of precipitation.

When it does not snow?

In New Bedford, snow does not fall in May through October.

Does it snow in May?

In May, in New Bedford, it doesn't snow. April is the latest month when it typically snows.

What is the ocean temperature in May?

In New Bedford, the average seawater temperature in May is 50.4°F (10.2°C). Swimming in 50.4°F (10.2°C) is considered life-threatening. Even a few minutes in 55.4°F (13°C) water is uncomfortable, and swimming below 50°F (10°C) may cause total loss of breathing control and cold shock, depending on a person's physique.

How many hours of daylight does New Bedford have in May?

The average day length in May is 14h and 33min.

What time are sunrise and sunset in May?

In May, on the first day of the month, sunrise is at 5:39 am and sunset at 7:42 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 5:11 am and sunset at 8:11 pm EDT.

How many hours of sunshine does New Bedford have in May?

In May, the average sunshine duration is 8.5h.

What is the UV index intensity in May?

The average daily maximum UV index in May is 5. A UV Index reading of 3 to 5 represents a medium health risk from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation.
Average humidity
Average rainfall days
Average snowfall
Average snowfall days
Average daylight
Average sunshine
Average sunshine days
Average UV index
Average cloud cover
Average visibility

Average temperature in May
New Bedford, MA

Average temperature in May - New Bedford, MA
  • Average high temperature in May: 62.4°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (78.4°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (36.3°F).

  • Average low temperature in May: 50.7°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (66.4°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (26.8°F).

Average pressure in May
New Bedford, MA

Average pressure in May - New Bedford, MA
  • Average pressure in May: 30.01"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is November (30.07"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is June (29.93"Hg).

Average wind speed in May
New Bedford, MA

Average wind speed in May - New Bedford, MA
  • Average wind speed in May: 9.4mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is January (11.9mph).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is August (8mph).

Average humidity in May
New Bedford, MA

Average humidity in May - New Bedford, MA
  • Average humidity in May: 78%

The months with the highest relative humidity are June and July (80%).
The months with the lowest relative humidity are March, April and November (74%).

Average rainfall in May
New Bedford, MA

Average rainfall in May - New Bedford, MA
  • Average rainfall in May: 1.5"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is October (1.93").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is September (1.06").

Average rainfall days in May
New Bedford, MA

Average rainfall days in May - New Bedford, MA
  • Average rainfall days in May: 13.3 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is July (13.4 days).
The month with the least rainy days is January (8.2 days).

Average snowfall in May
New Bedford, MA

Average snowfall in May - New Bedford, MA
  • Average snowfall in May: 0"

The month with the highest snowfall is February (1.77").
The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August, September and October (0").

Average snowfall days in May
New Bedford, MA

Average snowfall days in May - New Bedford, MA
  • Average snowfall days in May: 0.2 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is January (6.5 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are June, July, August, September and October (0 days).

Average sea temperature in May
New Bedford, MA

Average sea temperature in May - New Bedford, MA
  • Average sea temperature in May: 50.4°F

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is August (68.4°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average sea temperature) is February (38.2°F).

Average daylight in May /
Average sunshine in May
New Bedford, MA

Average daylight in May / Average sunshine in May - New Bedford, MA
  • Average daylight in May: 14h and 3min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 15h and 6min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 12min).

  • Average sunshine in May: 8h and 3min

The month with the most sunshine is August (Average sunshine: 10h and 36min).
The month with the least sunshine is February (Average sunshine: 4h and 48min).

Average sunshine days in May
New Bedford, MA

Average sunshine days in May - New Bedford, MA
  • Average sunshine days in May: 15.6 days

The months with the most sunshine days are November and December (18.3 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is April (14.4 days).

Average UV index in May
New Bedford, MA

Average UV index in May - New Bedford, MA
  • Average UV index in May: 5

The months with the highest UV index are June, July and August (UV index 6).
The months with the lowest UV index are January, February, March, November and December (UV index 2).

Average cloud cover in May
New Bedford, MA

Average cloud cover in May - New Bedford, MA
  • Average cloud cover in May: 44

The month with the most cloud cover is March (Cloud cover 49).
The month with the least cloud cover is August (Cloud cover 28).

Average visibility in May
New Bedford, MA

Average visibility in May - New Bedford, MA
  • Average visibility in May: 6mi

The months with the highest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).
The months with the lowest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).

New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA

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