May is one of the cooler months of the year in Penrith, with average highs near 18.3°C and lows around 7.8°C (mean 13.1°C). It is about average for rainfall, averaging 87 mm of rainfall and 79% relative humidity across the period.
May is one of the cooler months of the year in Penrith. Across 45 years of records, the warmest May in Penrith was 2016 — when the month averaged 15.3°C — while the coldest was 2011 at 11.2°C. Typical May days reach 18.3°C with nights near 7.8°C. The long-term May temperature trend is broadly flat.
May is about average for rainfall in Penrith, averaging 87 mm of rainfall. The wettest May on record was 2003 with 343 mm, while the driest were 2008 and 2018 at 9 mm.
Relative humidity in Penrith during May averages 79%. The most humid May was 1989 at 90%, and the least humid was 2016 at 63%.
May receives about 3 kWh/m²/day of solar energy in Penrith. The sunniest Mays were 2004, 2012 and 2018 at 3.4 kWh/m²/day, and the cloudiest was 1989 at 2.4.
Average wind speed in Penrith during May is 1 m/s. The windiest Mays were 1998, 2018 and 2023 at 1.2 m/s, while the calmest were 2008, 2017 and 2022, among others at 0.9 m/s.
Ranked against the other 11 months using 1981–2025 averages.
| Metric | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 12.9°C | 13.1°C | 13.0°C | 13.2°C | 12.9°C | 0°C |
| Avg High | 17.9°C | 18.0°C | 18.4°C | 19.0°C | 18.0°C | +0.1°C |
| Avg Low | 7.8°C | 8.2°C | 7.6°C | 7.4°C | 7.9°C | +0.1°C |
| Avg Rain | 98 mm | 117 mm | 96 mm | 52 mm | 63 mm | -35 mm |
May temperatures in Penrith have risen by about 0.5°C between 1981–1985 and 2021–2025.
May has ranged from a record low of -0.5°C (1987) to a record high of 27.6°C (2016).
Rainfall in May is about average for rainfall, averaging 87 mm, with a wettest year of 343 mm.
Daytime highs and overnight lows have shifted differently — highs rose about 0.2°C per decade while lows fell 0.1°C per decade, widening the gap between day and night.
A quieter season to visit Penrith
If your dates are flexible, the more temperate months of December and February tend to be the most comfortable for visiting Penrith. That said, May — with days averaging 18.3°C and nights around 7.8°C (mean 13.1°C) and higher rainfall (87 mm) — can still be rewarding for travellers who don't mind the cooler conditions, and often means fewer crowds.
| Year | Avg High | Avg Temp | Avg Low | Hottest Day | Coldest Day | Rainfall | Humidity | Wind | Solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19.2°C | 14.4°C | 9.5°C | 25.5°C | 5.9°C | 114 mm | 82% | 1.1 m/s | 2.5 |
| 2024 | 18.0°C | 13.3°C | 8.6°C | 21.4°C | 3.1°C | 78 mm | 85% | 1 m/s | 2.7 |
| 2023 | 18.2°C | 12.0°C | 5.8°C | 22.9°C | 1.7°C | 23 mm | 72% | 1.2 m/s | 3.3 |
| 2022 | 17.5°C | 13.0°C | 8.6°C | 22.9°C | 3.0°C | 66 mm | 87% | 0.9 m/s | 2.8 |
| 2021 | 17.8°C | 12.7°C | 7.6°C | 23.0°C | 1.3°C | 45 mm | 82% | 1 m/s | 3 |
| 2020 | 17.0°C | 12.0°C | 7.0°C | 23.1°C | 1.9°C | 52 mm | 81% | 1.1 m/s | 3 |
| 2019 | 20.9°C | 14.4°C | 7.8°C | 26.9°C | 2.4°C | 9 mm | 68% | 1.1 m/s | 3.2 |
| 2018 | 21.0°C | 14.3°C | 7.5°C | 27.3°C | 4.2°C | 9 mm | 63% | 1.2 m/s | 3.4 |
| 2017 | 19.1°C | 13.3°C | 7.4°C | 22.5°C | 0.7°C | 14 mm | 77% | 0.9 m/s | 3.2 |
| 2016 🔥 | 21.9°C | 15.3°C | 8.7°C | 27.6°C | 0.9°C | 16 mm | 63% | 1.1 m/s | 3.3 |
| 2015 | 17.4°C | 12.4°C | 7.5°C | 22.6°C | 3.0°C | 47 mm | 83% | 1.1 m/s | 2.9 |
| 2014 | 19.4°C | 13.9°C | 8.4°C | 24.7°C | 3.5°C | 23 mm | 78% | 1 m/s | 3.2 |
| 2013 | 18.2°C | 12.7°C | 7.2°C | 25.0°C | 3.2°C | 86 mm | 80% | 1 m/s | 3.2 |
| 2012 | 17.2°C | 11.4°C | 5.5°C | 23.4°C | 2.0°C | 27 mm | 81% | 1 m/s | 3.4 |
| 2011 ❄️ | 16.4°C | 11.2°C | 6.0°C | 21.3°C | 0.4°C | 121 mm | 82% | 1.1 m/s | 3.1 |
| 2010 | 18.4°C | 13.1°C | 7.8°C | 25.4°C | 3.3°C | 168 mm | 79% | 1 m/s | 2.9 |
| 2009 | 17.8°C | 13.1°C | 8.4°C | 21.1°C | 4.7°C | 106 mm | 82% | 1 m/s | 2.8 |
| 2008 | 18.8°C | 12.8°C | 6.7°C | 21.5°C | 3.5°C | 9 mm | 77% | 0.9 m/s | 3.3 |
| 2007 | 19.9°C | 14.2°C | 8.6°C | 25.6°C | 2.9°C | 28 mm | 78% | 1 m/s | 3.3 |
| 2006 | 18.9°C | 12.8°C | 6.8°C | 24.5°C | 2.0°C | 48 mm | 70% | 1.1 m/s | 3.1 |
| 2005 | 19.0°C | 13.4°C | 7.8°C | 25.1°C | 3.5°C | 70 mm | 77% | 1 m/s | 3 |
| 2004 | 19.5°C | 13.2°C | 6.8°C | 22.2°C | 1.9°C | 15 mm | 68% | 1.1 m/s | 3.4 |
| 2003 🌧️ | 17.5°C | 13.3°C | 9.0°C | 22.3°C | 4.6°C | 343 mm | 86% | 1 m/s | 2.6 |
| 2002 | 17.7°C | 12.8°C | 7.8°C | 23.5°C | 3.3°C | 84 mm | 80% | 1.1 m/s | 2.8 |
| 2001 | 17.1°C | 12.3°C | 7.4°C | 21.5°C | 3.5°C | 207 mm | 84% | 1 m/s | 2.9 |
| 2000 | 18.0°C | 12.5°C | 7.0°C | 23.1°C | 1.9°C | 46 mm | 79% | 1.1 m/s | 2.9 |
| 1999 | 18.8°C | 13.4°C | 8.1°C | 21.5°C | 0.3°C | 49 mm | 81% | 0.9 m/s | 3 |
| 1998 | 17.6°C | 13.1°C | 8.5°C | 20.3°C | 2.2°C | 203 mm | 82% | 1.2 m/s | 2.7 |
| 1997 | 18.2°C | 13.5°C | 8.9°C | 25.3°C | 1.9°C | 149 mm | 83% | 1.1 m/s | 2.7 |
| 1996 | 17.8°C | 13.1°C | 8.4°C | 23.7°C | 2.4°C | 158 mm | 85% | 1 m/s | 2.8 |
| 1995 | 16.9°C | 13.0°C | 9.1°C | 22.2°C | 3.6°C | 217 mm | 86% | 1 m/s | 2.6 |
| 1994 | 18.3°C | 12.6°C | 6.9°C | 25.4°C | 2.5°C | 35 mm | 74% | 1 m/s | 3.1 |
| 1993 | 19.3°C | 13.5°C | 7.7°C | 24.7°C | 3.7°C | 23 mm | 75% | 0.9 m/s | 3.1 |
| 1992 | 16.9°C | 12.2°C | 7.5°C | 22.7°C | 1.5°C | 63 mm | 86% | 0.9 m/s | 2.9 |
| 1991 | 18.6°C | 13.5°C | 8.5°C | 25.2°C | 3.5°C | 105 mm | 80% | 0.9 m/s | 2.7 |
| 1990 | 17.5°C | 12.9°C | 8.4°C | 22.8°C | 2.9°C | 166 mm | 88% | 0.9 m/s | 2.9 |
| 1989 | 17.6°C | 13.8°C | 10.0°C | 22.6°C | 3.1°C | 155 mm | 90% | 0.9 m/s | 2.4 |
| 1988 | 17.7°C | 13.1°C | 8.6°C | 22.8°C | 4.5°C | 64 mm | 87% | 0.9 m/s | 2.8 |
| 1987 | 18.1°C | 12.6°C | 7.1°C | 23.6°C | -0.5°C | 78 mm | 79% | 1 m/s | 2.8 |
| 1986 | 18.6°C | 13.1°C | 7.5°C | 22.6°C | 2.9°C | 42 mm | 80% | 0.9 m/s | 3 |
| 1985 | 17.0°C | 12.6°C | 8.2°C | 23.3°C | 2.3°C | 126 mm | 87% | 1 m/s | 2.8 |
| 1984 | 16.9°C | 12.0°C | 7.2°C | 22.8°C | 2.6°C | 88 mm | 85% | 1 m/s | 3 |
| 1983 | 17.2°C | 12.7°C | 8.1°C | 21.1°C | 4.1°C | 190 mm | 86% | 1 m/s | — |
| 1982 | 20.2°C | 13.3°C | 6.4°C | 24.2°C | 0.3°C | 15 mm | 63% | 1 m/s | — |
| 1981 | 17.9°C | 12.6°C | 7.3°C | 23.6°C | 2.9°C | 127 mm | 79% | 1 m/s | — |
Actual recorded May data for each year, 1981–2025 — sourced from NASA POWER.
The average high in May is around 18.3°C with lows near 7.8°C (mean 13.1°C), based on 45 years of NASA POWER data.
May averages 87 mm of rainfall in Penrith, about average for rainfall. The wettest on record was 343 mm in 2003.
The hottest May reached 27.6°C in 2016. The coldest dipped to -0.5°C in 1987.
Comparing the earliest years on record (1981–1985) with the most recent (2021–2025), average May temperatures have risen by about 0.5°C. Daytime highs moved from 17.8°C to 18.1°C and overnight lows from 7.4°C to 8°C over the same span.
May is one of the cooler months of the year in Penrith and about average for rainfall, so plan for around 18.3°C daytime highs and 7.8°C at night.
Not quite — May is the 4th coolest month in Penrith, averaging 13.1°C.
For May in Penrith, pack warm layers and a jacket for chilly mornings, with typical highs of 18.3°C and lows of 7.8°C. Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket too.
Relative humidity in May averages 79% — quite humid.
Average wind speed in May is 1 m/s. The windiest May on record averaged 1.2 m/s (1998).
The wettest May on record was 2003 with 343 mm. On average, May sees 87 mm.
All figures are derived from NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources), based on MERRA-2 satellite reanalysis, covering 1981–2025.
Explore how the weather in Penrith behaves each May, based on 45 years of NASA POWER climate data from 1981 to 2025. This page breaks down average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, wind and solar radiation for May specifically, along with year-by-year records and how the month has changed over the decades.
