Montreal in May: a seasonal travel plan
Montreal, Canada. In may, the average daytime high is 18.7 °C and the night-time low is 7.7 °C. Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
Choose a month
Selected month: May
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Montreal
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 18.7 °C
- Nighttime low
- 7.7 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 67.0 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 11.6
- Daylight
- 14.9 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 15.7 | 4.7 | 3.7 |
| Days 11–20 | 18.5 | 7.3 | 3.5 |
| From day 21 | 21.5 | 10.9 | 4.4 |
What this month is like
Montreal, Canada. In may, the average daytime high is 18.7 °C and the night-time low is 7.7 °C. Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
There are 11.6 wet days on average, with about 67.0 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
Average daylight is 14.9 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a jacket or jumper, long trousers and closed shoes. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What to pack
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 10.2 °C, May — 18.7 °C, next month — 23.3 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 12.5, 11.6 and 15.9.
Things to do
Montreal is bilingual and split in two: the old town by the river keeps stone warehouses, while the Plateau and Mile End to the north live on cafés, outdoor staircases and music. The centre is compact, the metro links the shores and Mount Royal gives the view.
Old Montreal
Cobblestones lead from Notre-Dame Basilica to the Old Port waterfront. Step inside the basilica for the deep blue vault, then follow the water and turn inland along the Lachine Canal, where a path runs beside it.
Mount Royal and the Plateau
Climb Mount Royal on the path from Peel Street to the Kondiaronk lookout. Come down to the Plateau, walk Avenue du Mont-Royal and eat lunch on Rue Saint-Denis.
Jean-Talon and the Olympic Park
Jean-Talon Market fills a block north of Mile End with cheese, maple syrup, vegetables and fish. The metro runs from there to the Olympic Park, the Botanical Garden and the Biodôme, worth a couple of hours.
Where to stay
Old Montreal
Old Montreal suits the first days: basilica, port and museums are close. Visitors thin out in the evening, the stone streets empty, and residential blocks begin beyond the canal.
The Plateau
The Plateau draws people with cafés, outdoor staircases and Lafontaine Park. French is the everyday language, streets stay lively at night, and the centre is twenty minutes away.
Mile End
Mile End joins bakeries, music clubs and bookshops along Boulevard Saint-Laurent. It is calmer than the centre, though parking becomes a puzzle in the evening.
Getting to and around Montreal
Montréal-Trudeau airport connects to the centre by bus 747, which runs to Berri-UQAM station. Four metro lines, buses and BIXI bikes cover the city, and the REM light rail links the centre with the South Shore. Old Montreal and the port are best on foot, and Mount Royal is climbed on trails.
Three days in Montreal
Old Montreal and the port
Start at Notre-Dame Basilica, cross Place d'Armes and walk down to the Old Port. After lunch take the Lachine Canal path and finish at Bonsecours Market.
Mount Royal and the Plateau
Climb to the Kondiaronk lookout in the morning and come down through the park to Avenue du Mont-Royal. Cafés and shops fill the day, and music fills Mile End at night.
Jean-Talon and the Olympic Park
Morning at Jean-Talon Market for cheese and pastries to carry. Then the metro to the Olympic Park, the Botanical Garden and the Biodôme, with dinner on Rue Saint-Denis.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -5.7 | -16.4 | 72.0 | 13.5 | 9.1 |
| February | -3.9 | -15.0 | 67.4 | 11.4 | 10.4 |
| March | 2.2 | -7.2 | 65.1 | 11.6 | 11.9 |
| April | 10.2 | 0.1 | 95.7 | 12.5 | 13.5 |
| May | 18.7 | 7.7 | 67.0 | 11.6 | 14.9 |
| June | 23.3 | 13.5 | 97.3 | 15.9 | 15.6 |
| July | 27.3 | 17.2 | 95.4 | 15.3 | 15.3 |
| August | 26.7 | 16.5 | 99.8 | 14.9 | 14.1 |
| September | 23.1 | 12.0 | 70.0 | 10.0 | 12.6 |
| October | 14.9 | 5.3 | 104.5 | 12.4 | 11.0 |
| November | 5.5 | -2.3 | 69.7 | 12.3 | 9.6 |
| December | -1.3 | -9.3 | 87.1 | 14.1 | 8.8 |
Frequently asked questions
Montreal: what is the temperature in May?
The average daytime high is 18.7 °C and the night-time low is 7.7 °C. Daytime is suitable for a longer walk around the city. Leave time for breaks and lunch along the way.
How many days with precipitation are there in May?
On average, there are 11.6 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 67.0 mm. There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What should I pack for walks in May?
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 15.7 °C; 11–20 — 18.5 °C; 21 to month-end — 21.5 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in May?
The average is 14.9 hours. Long daylight hours make it easy to split a walk between morning and evening, with a longer break in between.
Is Montreal worth visiting in May?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 18.7 °C and nights around 7.7 °C work for you. Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
What can I do in Montreal on a wet day in May?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Montreal in May?
Pack a jacket or jumper, long trousers and closed shoes. Average daylight is 14.9 hours.