KwaZulu-Natal · South Africa
Durban in May
In May, Durban averages a daytime high of 25 °C and a night-time low of 14 °C, with about 42 mm of rain over the month. By the measure used here it is one of the most comfortable months to visit; they run April to September.
- Average high
- 25 °C
- Average low
- 14 °C
- Rain in the month
- 42 mm
- Daylight on 15 May
- 10 h 40 min
- Comfortable month
- Yes
- Places to stay
- 128
When to go
How May compares with the rest of the year in Durban
May is tied for the 7th warmest month in Durban by average daytime high; across the year the highs run from 23 °C to 28 °C and the lows from 11 °C to 21 °C. By day, May is 2 °C cooler than April, and June is 1 °C cooler than May.
May brings 42 mm of rain, less than the monthly average of 82 mm (985 mm a year); it is the 9th wettest month.
On 15 May the sun is up for about 10 h 40 min, against 10 h 10 min at the shortest and 14 h at the longest point of the year (calculated from the latitude, sunrise to sunset).
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28 °C | 21 °C | 138 mm | |
| February | 28 °C | 21 °C | 129 mm | |
| March | 28 °C | 20 °C | 106 mm | |
| April | 27 °C | 17 °C | 68 mm | Yes |
| May | 25 °C | 14 °C | 42 mm | Yes |
| June | 24 °C | 12 °C | 29 mm | Yes |
| July | 23 °C | 11 °C | 28 mm | Yes |
| August | 24 °C | 13 °C | 38 mm | Yes |
| September | 24 °C | 15 °C | 76 mm | Yes |
| October | 25 °C | 17 °C | 98 mm | |
| November | 26 °C | 18 °C | 119 mm | |
| December | 27 °C | 20 °C | 115 mm |
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
When to go
Is May a good time to visit Durban?
Yes, by the measure used here: in May the average high of 25 °C is between 18 °C and 29 °C and the 42 mm of rain is under 80 mm. The comfortable months in Durban are April to September.
The measure is about weather for a city stay only; it says nothing about events, school holidays or prices.
Public holidays in South Africa in May
Nationwide public holidays; shops and offices may close on these dates.
When to go
Destinations near Durban that are comfortable in May
Within 300 km, nearest first, by the same measure.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Durban
This guide lists 128 places to stay in Durban, hotels recorded in Wikidata. By straight-line distance from the centre: under 1 km, 4; 1–3 km, 22; 3–10 km, 38; 10 km or more, 64.
Sources: climate from CRU TS v4.10 (Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia; Open Database License), 1991–2020 averages; day length calculated from the latitude; public holidays from the OpenHolidays API (ODbL); places to stay from each operator's own public pages and Wikidata. How this guide is made.