May is one of the warmer months of the year in Palakkad, with average highs near 37.1°C and lows around 21°C (mean 29.1°C). It is a relatively wet time of year, averaging 107 mm of rainfall and 74% relative humidity across the period.
May is one of the warmer months of the year in Palakkad. Across 45 years of records, the warmest Mays in Palakkad were 1998 and 2024 — when the month averaged 31.2°C — while the coldest was 2018 at 26.7°C. Typical May days reach 37.1°C with nights near 21°C. The long-term trend is cooling, about 0.2°C per decade.
Ranked against the other 11 months using 1981–2025 averages.
| Metric | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 29.3°C | 29.5°C | 28.9°C | 28.6°C | 29.0°C | -0.3°C |
| Avg High | 37.5°C | 37.9°C | 36.8°C | 36.4°C | 36.8°C | -0.7°C |
| Avg Low | 21.1°C | 21.0°C | 20.9°C | 20.9°C | 21.2°C | +0.1°C |
| Avg Rain | 68 mm | 86 mm | 118 mm | 116 mm | 164 mm | +96 mm |
May temperatures in Palakkad have fallen by about 0.7°C between 1981–1985 and 2021–2025.
May has ranged from a record low of 20°C (2014) to a record high of 40.9°C (2024).
Rainfall in May is a relatively wet time of year, averaging 107 mm, with a wettest year of 304 mm.
Daytime highs and overnight lows have shifted differently — highs fell about 0.3°C per decade while lows rose 0°C per decade, narrowing the gap between day and night.
A quieter season to visit Palakkad
If your dates are flexible, the more temperate months of December and January tend to be the most comfortable for visiting Palakkad. That said, May — with days averaging 37.1°C and nights around 21°C (mean 29.1°C) and higher rainfall (107 mm) — can still be rewarding for travellers who don't mind the warmth, and often means fewer crowds.
| Year | High | Low | Avg | Rainfall | Humidity | Wind | Solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 35.9°C | 21.8°C | 28.8°C | 239 mm | 78% | 2.6 m/s | 4.6 |
| 2024 | 40.9°C | 21.5°C | 31.2°C | 229 mm | 76% | 1.8 m/s | 4.6 |
| 2023 | 35.2°C | 20.8°C | 28.0°C | 100 mm | 77% | 1.6 m/s | 5.5 |
| 2022 | 35.7°C | 20.5°C | 28.1°C | 156 mm | 81% | 2.3 m/s | 4.3 |
| 2021 | 35.4°C | 20.5°C | 28.0°C | 190 mm | 81% | 2 m/s | 4.9 |
| 2020 | 37.9°C | 22.1°C | 30.0°C | 68 mm | 72% | 2 m/s | 5.4 |
| 2019 | 38.0°C | 21.5°C | 29.8°C | 58 mm | 71% | 2.1 m/s | 5.7 |
| 2018 ❄️ | 32.8°C | 20.5°C | 26.7°C | 205 mm | 81% | 1.6 m/s | 5.1 |
| 2017 | 36.6°C | 21.0°C | 28.8°C | 153 mm | 77% | 1.8 m/s | 5.3 |
| 2016 | 40.0°C | 22.3°C | 31.1°C | 105 mm | 73% | 2 m/s | 5.3 |
| 2015 | 35.1°C | 20.3°C | 27.7°C | 148 mm | 78% | 1.7 m/s | 4.9 |
| 2014 | 34.9°C | 20.0°C | 27.4°C | 192 mm | 79% | 1.9 m/s | 5.3 |
| 2013 | 37.1°C | 21.2°C | 29.1°C | 84 mm | 72% | 2.6 m/s | 5.1 |
| 2012 | 36.6°C | 21.0°C | 28.8°C | 44 mm | 77% | 2.3 m/s | 5.2 |
| 2011 | 36.2°C | 20.5°C | 28.3°C | 85 mm | 76% | 2.2 m/s | 5.7 |
| 2010 | 36.6°C | 20.3°C | 28.4°C | 92 mm | 77% | 2.3 m/s | 5.2 |
| 2009 | 36.4°C | 20.6°C | 28.5°C | 122 mm | 77% | 2.3 m/s | 5.3 |
| 2008 | 34.6°C | 21.1°C | 27.8°C | 60 mm | 76% | 2.5 m/s | 5.7 |
| 2007 | 36.3°C | 20.1°C | 28.2°C | 107 mm | 75% | 2.4 m/s | 5.7 |
| 2006 | 39.2°C | 21.5°C | 30.4°C | 204 mm | 74% | 2.7 m/s | 5 |
| 2005 | 38.4°C | 21.0°C | 29.7°C | 94 mm | 71% | 2 m/s | 5.5 |
| 2004 🌧️ | 36.3°C | 20.6°C | 28.5°C | 304 mm | 85% | 2.4 m/s | 4.4 |
| 2003 | 36.3°C | 22.4°C | 29.4°C | 52 mm | 74% | 2.6 m/s | 5.5 |
| 2002 | 39.2°C | 20.8°C | 30.0°C | 107 mm | 75% | 2.7 m/s | 5.1 |
| 2001 | 35.0°C | 20.1°C | 27.6°C | 77 mm | 79% | 2.5 m/s | 5.5 |
| 2000 | 36.4°C | 20.5°C | 28.4°C | 50 mm | 70% | 2.7 m/s | 5.8 |
| 1999 | 36.3°C | 20.5°C | 28.4°C | 119 mm | 80% | 2.6 m/s | 5 |
| 1998 🔥 | 39.9°C | 22.5°C | 31.2°C | 76 mm | 67% | 2.2 m/s | 6.1 |
| 1997 | 37.5°C | 20.5°C | 29.0°C | 36 mm | 65% | 2.2 m/s | 5.3 |
| 1996 | 38.5°C | 20.8°C | 29.6°C | 57 mm | 69% | 2.5 m/s | 5.6 |
| 1995 | 37.0°C | 21.2°C | 29.1°C | 144 mm | 76% | 2.4 m/s | 5.1 |
| 1994 | 36.8°C | 20.7°C | 28.8°C | 78 mm | 75% | 2.4 m/s | 5.7 |
| 1993 | 38.1°C | 21.0°C | 29.5°C | 113 mm | 71% | 2.2 m/s | 5.2 |
| 1992 | 37.9°C | 20.1°C | 29.0°C | 96 mm | 72% | 2.2 m/s | 5.4 |
| 1991 | 39.7°C | 22.0°C | 30.9°C | 6 mm | 60% | 2.2 m/s | 5.8 |
| 1990 | 37.3°C | 21.0°C | 29.2°C | 141 mm | 75% | 3 m/s | 4.6 |
| 1989 | 36.6°C | 20.9°C | 28.8°C | 79 mm | 72% | 2.8 m/s | 5.5 |
| 1988 | 35.9°C | 21.3°C | 28.6°C | 71 mm | 75% | 2.6 m/s | 5.5 |
| 1987 | 38.8°C | 21.4°C | 30.1°C | 62 mm | 64% | 1.8 m/s | 5.4 |
| 1986 | 37.5°C | 20.3°C | 28.9°C | 49 mm | 71% | 2.7 m/s | 5.5 |
| 1985 | 39.8°C | 21.1°C | 30.4°C | 77 mm | 65% | 2.6 m/s | 5.5 |
| 1984 | 38.1°C | 20.9°C | 29.5°C | 39 mm | 70% | 2.6 m/s | 6 |
| 1983 | 39.8°C | 21.8°C | 30.8°C | 23 mm | 65% | 2.3 m/s | — |
| 1982 | 36.0°C | 21.2°C | 28.6°C | 84 mm | 74% | 1.8 m/s | — |
| 1981 | 35.4°C | 20.6°C | 28.0°C | 127 mm | 74% | 2.2 m/s | — |
Actual recorded May data for each year, 1981–2025 — sourced from NASA POWER.
The average high in May is around 37.1°C with lows near 21°C (mean 29.1°C), based on 45 years of NASA POWER data.
May averages 107 mm of rainfall in Palakkad, a relatively wet time of year. The wettest on record was 304 mm in 2004.
The hottest May reached 40.9°C in 2024. The coldest dipped to 20°C in 2014.
Comparing the earliest years on record (1981–1985) with the most recent (2021–2025), average May temperatures have fallen by about 0.7°C. Daytime highs moved from 37.8°C to 36.6°C and overnight lows from 21.1°C to 21°C over the same span.
May is one of the warmer months of the year in Palakkad and a relatively wet time of year, so plan for around 37.1°C daytime highs and 21°C at night.
Not quite — May is the 11th coolest month in Palakkad, averaging 29.1°C.
For May in Palakkad, pack light, breathable clothing and sun protection, with typical highs of 37.1°C and lows of 21°C. Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket too.
Relative humidity in May averages 74% — moderately humid.
Average wind speed in May is 2.3 m/s. The windiest May on record averaged 3 m/s (1990).
The wettest May on record was 2004 with 304 mm. On average, May sees 107 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 Palakkad 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.
