Miami in May: hot days, warm water and the start of the rainy season
May in Miami brings highs of 85 to 88°F, water near 82°F and the official start of the rainy season on May 15. Here is the month, week by week.
Resumo
- Daytime: Average highs from 85°F on May 1 to 88°F by May 31.
- Night: Average lows from 72°F to 75°F.
- Rain: About 6.3 inches, nearly double April; the rainy season starts May 15.
- Ocean: About 82°F at NOAA's Virginia Key station.
- Big dates: F1 Miami weekend to May 2; Memorial Day May 31, 2027.
Come in early May for the best of it: hot beach days, the warmest water since October and dry mornings; after May 15 plan your outdoor hours for the morning and keep the afternoon flexible for storms.
Nota do editor
May is a month of two halves in Miami. The first two weeks still feel like spring: hot, bright and mostly dry, with the ocean finally warm. Then the National Weather Service marks May 15 as the first day of the rainy season, and the afternoon thunderstorm becomes part of the daily routine. Nothing here is a reason to skip May; it is a reason to put the beach first thing and the museums after lunch.
May weather against April and June
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Sea water, Virginia Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 82 to 85°F | 68 to 72°F | 3.4 in | about 78 to 79°F |
| May | 85 to 88°F | 72 to 75°F | 6.3 in | about 82°F |
| June | 88 to 90°F | 75 to 77°F | 10.5 in | about 85 to 86°F |
NWS daily normals for 1991 to 2020 at Miami International Airport, from the first to the last day of each month; rain is the sum of the daily normals. Water is NOAA's monthly average for Virginia Key.
National Weather Service Miami, Daily Normals 1991-2020, Miami International Airport (weather.gov/mfl), checked October 2026; NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide, Virginia Key station 8723214, checked October 2026
What the rainy season means for a visit
The NWS Miami office sets the rainy season from May 15 to October 15, and says nearly 70% of South Florida's yearly rain falls in those five months. In May the daily rain normals more than double from the start of the month to the end, so the last two weeks are noticeably wetter than the first two.
The rain mostly comes as scattered showers and thunderstorms rather than all-day drizzle. Where they form depends on the wind: the NWS notes that with an easterly flow, coastal areas tend to get late-night and morning showers while afternoon storms build over the interior. Either way, check the radar before a boat trip, and get off the beach when you hear thunder.
Hurricane season starts on June 1, so May is still outside it.
What is on in Miami in May 2027
| Dates | Event | Note |
|---|---|---|
| April 30 to May 2 | Formula 1 Hard Rock Miami Grand Prix | Round 6 of the 2027 calendar, per formula1.com |
| May 15 | Rainy season begins | The NWS Miami office's fixed start date |
| Memorial Day weekend, May 29 to 31 | Miami Beach's Memorial Day events | The 2027 program was not announced in October 2026 |
| Monday, May 31 | Memorial Day | Federal holiday |
| June 1 | Atlantic hurricane season starts | Runs to November 30 |
formula1.com, weather.gov/mfl, opm.gov and nhc.noaa.gov, checked October 2026
Memorial Day weekend on Miami Beach
Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest of the year on South Beach, and the city plans for it. In 2026 the Hyundai Air & Sea Show flew over the beach on May 23 and 24, from 11 am to 4:30 pm, free, with the US Air Force Thunderbirds making their first Miami Beach appearance. The city recommended watching between 1st and 10th Streets or 13th and 20th Streets.
The same weekend came with rules. Entertainment District garages charged a flat $30 for nonresidents from Friday night to Monday morning, golf cart and scooter rentals were suspended in the high-impact zone, and Flamingo Park and South of Fifth were closed to cut-through traffic in the evenings. Expect a similar plan for 2027, and read the city's announcement before you drive over.
Antes de ir
- Swimwear and breathable clothes: highs of 85 to 88°F
- A light rain shell or umbrella for the second half of the month
- Plan beach and boat time in the morning, indoor stops after lunch
- Sea turtle nesting season continues: no lights on the beach at night
- Check the City of Miami Beach site for Memorial Day weekend parking and traffic rules
- Book the Formula 1 weekend early if your dates touch May 1 or 2
Perguntas frequentes
Is May a good time to visit Miami?
Yes, especially the first half. Average highs are 85 to 88°F, the water is about 82°F, and the rainy season does not begin until May 15.
Does it rain a lot in Miami in May?
More than in spring: about 6.3 inches for the month, nearly double April's 3.4 inches, with most of it after May 15.
When does the rainy season start in Miami?
The National Weather Service Miami office uses May 15 as the start and October 15 as the end.
Is May hurricane season in Miami?
No. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
What happens in Miami Beach on Memorial Day weekend?
In 2026 there was a free Air & Sea Show on May 23 and 24 and citywide traffic and parking measures. The 2027 plan was not announced in October 2026; check miamibeachfl.gov.
Mais guias
F1 Miami 2027: dates, which ticket to buy, and what changed from 2026F1 · Events · 4 min de leituraMiami hurricane season: the dates, the real risk for a trip, and what to do if a storm comesWeather · Hurricanes · 4 min de leitura
Miami beaches: which one to pick, and when to goBeaches · Outdoor · 10 min de leituraClimate normals and rainy season dates from the National Weather Service Miami office; water from NOAA NCEI (Virginia Key); hurricane season from the National Hurricane Center; Memorial Day 2026 measures from the City of Miami Beach (miamibeachfl.gov); F1 dates from formula1.com; holidays from opm.gov; checked October 2026.