Weather Comparison
Side-by-side weather comparison for May
| Metric | Seattle | Vancouver | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average HighHigher is warmer | 28°C (82°F)▲ | 17°C (63°F) | Seattle |
| Average LowHigher is milder | 19°C (66°F)▲ | 9°C (48°F) | Seattle |
| Rain DaysFewer is drier | 1 days▲ | 12 days | Seattle |
| PrecipitationLess is drier | 15 mm▲ | 114 mm | Seattle |
| Sunshine HoursMore is sunnier | 7h/day | 11h/day▲ | Vancouver |
| HumidityLower is more comfortable | 65% | 65% | Tie |
| UV IndexLower is safer | 10 | 10 | Tie |
| Wind SpeedCalmer is better | 15 km/h | 11 km/h▲ | Vancouver |
Seattle and Vancouver are closely matched in May. Neither city has a clear advantage across all metrics. Your decision should come down to personal preference, cultural interests, and travel logistics rather than weather alone.
Seattle sits in the comfortable travel range at 28°C. Vancouver is also comfortable at 17°C.
For travelers who prioritize dry weather, Seattle is the stronger choice in May. Vancouver receives 4 more hours of sunshine per day, which matters for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Seattle reaches an average high of 28°C (82°F) and drops to 19°C (66°F) at night during May. The daily temperature range is 9°C, meaning moderate variation throughout the day.
Vancouver averages 17°C (63°F) for the high and 9°C (48°F) for the low, with a daily range of 8°C. There is a notable 11°C gap between the two cities, so expect a very different feel.
Both cities are in the Northern Hemisphere, so they share the same seasonal pattern in May.
Seattle receives approximately 15 mm of rainfall across 1 rain days during May. Rain is rare this month, so dry conditions are likely.
Vancouver sees 114 mm over 12 rain days. That makes Seattle the drier option by 11 rain days and 99 mm of total precipitation.
Both cities share similar humidity levels at 65%.
Highs of 28°C, lows of 19°C, 1 rain days
Highs of 17°C, lows of 9°C, 12 rain days
The table below shows average high temperatures and rain days for every month. May is highlighted for quick reference.
| Month | Seattle | Vancouver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | Rain | High | Rain | |
| Jan | 16°C | 6d | 6°C | 19d |
| Feb | 19°C | 5d | 8°C | 16d |
| Mar | 22°C | 4d | 10°C | 19d |
| Apr | 26°C | 2d | 13°C | 17d |
| May | 28°C | 1d | 17°C | 12d |
| Jun | 29°C | 1d | 19°C | 11d |
| Jul | 28°C | 1d | 23°C | 7d |
| Aug | 26°C | 2d | 23°C | 7d |
| Sep | 22°C | 4d | 20°C | 10d |
| Oct | 19°C | 5d | 14°C | 16d |
| Nov | 16°C | 6d | 9°C | 20d |
| Dec | 15°C | 7d | 6°C | 19d |
Seattle Weather in May
Full forecast, packing tips, and activities
Vancouver Weather in May
Full forecast, packing tips, and activities