May is one of the warmer months of the year in Nilgiris, with average highs near 32.1°C and lows around 21.5°C (mean 26.8°C). It is a relatively wet time of year, averaging 97 mm of rainfall and 71% relative humidity across the period.
May is one of the warmer months of the year in Nilgiris. Across 45 years of records, the warmest May in Nilgiris was 1991 — when the month averaged 29.6°C — while the coldest was 2004 at 24.4°C. Typical May days reach 32.1°C with nights near 21.5°C. The long-term trend is cooling, about 0.3°C per decade.
May is a relatively wet time of year in Nilgiris, averaging 97 mm of rainfall. The wettest May on record was 2004 with 261 mm, while the driest was 1991 at 5 mm.
Relative humidity in Nilgiris during May averages 71%. The most humid May was 2004 at 83%, and the least humid was 1991 at 56%.
May receives about 5.5 kWh/m²/day of solar energy in Nilgiris. The sunniest May was 1984 at 6.3 kWh/m²/day, and the cloudiest were 2004 and 2022 at 4.5.
Average wind speed in Nilgiris during May is 2 m/s. The windiest May was 1990 at 2.7 m/s, while the calmest were 1987, 2018 and 2023, among others at 1.4 m/s.
Ranked against the other 11 months using 1981–2025 averages.
| Metric | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 27.2°C | 27.2°C | 26.5°C | 26.6°C | 26.4°C | -0.8°C |
| Avg High | 33.0°C | 32.9°C | 31.6°C | 31.5°C | 31.0°C | -2°C |
| Avg Low | 21.4°C | 21.5°C | 21.4°C | 21.6°C | 21.7°C | +0.3°C |
| Avg Rain | 60 mm | 78 mm | 101 mm | 107 mm | 157 mm | +97 mm |
May temperatures in Nilgiris have fallen by about 1.2°C between 1981–1985 and 2021–2025.
May has ranged from a record low of 18.1°C (2014) to a record high of 40°C (2024).
Rainfall in May is a relatively wet time of year, averaging 97 mm, with a wettest year of 261 mm.
Daytime highs and overnight lows have shifted differently — highs fell about 0.5°C per decade while lows rose 0°C per decade, narrowing the gap between day and night.
A quieter season to visit Nilgiris
If your dates are flexible, the more temperate months of January and December tend to be the most comfortable for visiting Nilgiris. That said, May — with days averaging 32.1°C and nights around 21.5°C (mean 26.8°C) and higher rainfall (97 mm) — can still be rewarding for travellers who don't mind the warmth, and often means fewer crowds.
| Year | Avg High | Avg Temp | Avg Low | Hottest Day | Coldest Day | Rainfall | Humidity | Wind | Solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 30.0°C | 25.9°C | 21.8°C | 34.9°C | 20.2°C | 207 mm | 77% | 2.3 m/s | 4.6 |
| 2024 | 31.4°C | 26.8°C | 22.2°C | 40.0°C | 19.2°C | 197 mm | 76% | 1.6 m/s | 4.6 |
| 2023 | 31.5°C | 26.5°C | 21.6°C | 35.9°C | 19.8°C | 110 mm | 75% | 1.4 m/s | 5.5 |
| 2022 | 30.3°C | 25.6°C | 20.9°C | 35.3°C | 18.6°C | 153 mm | 79% | 2 m/s | 4.5 |
| 2021 | 29.7°C | 25.3°C | 20.8°C | 34.1°C | 18.9°C | 215 mm | 79% | 1.9 m/s | 5.1 |
| 2020 | 33.3°C | 28.0°C | 22.6°C | 37.2°C | 20.9°C | 61 mm | 68% | 1.8 m/s | 5.6 |
| 2019 | 33.6°C | 27.8°C | 22.0°C | 37.1°C | 20.0°C | 77 mm | 69% | 1.7 m/s | 5.9 |
| 2018 | 30.2°C | 25.8°C | 21.5°C | 34.0°C | 20.2°C | 163 mm | 78% | 1.4 m/s | 5.2 |
| 2017 | 31.0°C | 26.4°C | 21.7°C | 36.1°C | 19.6°C | 144 mm | 75% | 1.6 m/s | 5.4 |
| 2016 | 32.6°C | 27.4°C | 22.2°C | 39.3°C | 20.6°C | 95 mm | 70% | 1.8 m/s | 5.6 |
| 2015 | 30.3°C | 25.6°C | 20.9°C | 35.1°C | 18.2°C | 138 mm | 76% | 1.6 m/s | 5 |
| 2014 | 30.4°C | 25.8°C | 21.3°C | 33.8°C | 18.1°C | 196 mm | 77% | 1.8 m/s | 5.4 |
| 2013 | 32.1°C | 27.0°C | 21.8°C | 37.0°C | 19.7°C | 83 mm | 70% | 2.1 m/s | 5.5 |
| 2012 | 31.7°C | 26.6°C | 21.6°C | 36.4°C | 19.8°C | 31 mm | 72% | 2 m/s | 5.7 |
| 2011 | 32.0°C | 26.6°C | 21.2°C | 35.3°C | 19.8°C | 58 mm | 73% | 1.7 m/s | 5.9 |
| 2010 | 31.5°C | 26.6°C | 21.8°C | 35.7°C | 19.2°C | 84 mm | 74% | 2 m/s | 5.7 |
| 2009 | 31.6°C | 26.5°C | 21.4°C | 35.9°C | 19.4°C | 99 mm | 73% | 1.8 m/s | 5.6 |
| 2008 | 31.9°C | 26.5°C | 21.0°C | 35.2°C | 20.0°C | 55 mm | 72% | 2.2 m/s | 5.9 |
| 2007 | 31.9°C | 26.5°C | 21.1°C | 36.2°C | 19.5°C | 101 mm | 73% | 2 m/s | 5.9 |
| 2006 | 31.4°C | 26.5°C | 21.5°C | 38.3°C | 19.9°C | 174 mm | 72% | 2.4 m/s | 5.3 |
| 2005 | 33.4°C | 27.8°C | 22.1°C | 38.8°C | 19.8°C | 91 mm | 68% | 1.5 m/s | 6 |
| 2004 ❄️ 🌧️ | 28.2°C | 24.4°C | 20.6°C | 36.1°C | 19.2°C | 261 mm | 83% | 2.2 m/s | 4.5 |
| 2003 | 33.3°C | 27.7°C | 22.2°C | 37.0°C | 21.1°C | 30 mm | 69% | 2.4 m/s | 5.9 |
| 2002 | 31.5°C | 26.6°C | 21.6°C | 38.3°C | 19.4°C | 100 mm | 73% | 2.4 m/s | 5.5 |
| 2001 | 30.7°C | 25.8°C | 20.9°C | 34.9°C | 18.6°C | 61 mm | 76% | 2.2 m/s | 6 |
| 2000 | 32.2°C | 26.8°C | 21.3°C | 36.5°C | 19.4°C | 42 mm | 67% | 2.3 m/s | 5.9 |
| 1999 | 29.0°C | 24.7°C | 20.4°C | 35.1°C | 18.8°C | 113 mm | 79% | 2.2 m/s | 5 |
| 1998 | 34.1°C | 28.4°C | 22.6°C | 38.9°C | 20.7°C | 70 mm | 66% | 2 m/s | 6.1 |
| 1997 | 33.8°C | 27.7°C | 21.5°C | 36.8°C | 19.2°C | 39 mm | 63% | 2 m/s | 5.5 |
| 1996 | 34.4°C | 27.9°C | 21.4°C | 38.3°C | 19.6°C | 58 mm | 65% | 2 m/s | 5.8 |
| 1995 | 31.1°C | 26.1°C | 21.0°C | 36.2°C | 19.4°C | 128 mm | 73% | 2.2 m/s | 5.2 |
| 1994 | 32.1°C | 26.8°C | 21.4°C | 37.2°C | 19.5°C | 61 mm | 71% | 2 m/s | 6 |
| 1993 | 32.9°C | 27.3°C | 21.7°C | 38.5°C | 19.5°C | 96 mm | 68% | 1.8 m/s | 5.8 |
| 1992 | 33.2°C | 27.3°C | 21.4°C | 37.3°C | 18.7°C | 85 mm | 69% | 1.9 m/s | 5.5 |
| 1991 🔥 | 36.4°C | 29.6°C | 22.7°C | 39.0°C | 20.7°C | 5 mm | 56% | 1.8 m/s | 5.9 |
| 1990 | 31.5°C | 26.4°C | 21.3°C | 36.5°C | 19.6°C | 129 mm | 72% | 2.7 m/s | 4.7 |
| 1989 | 32.8°C | 27.0°C | 21.2°C | 36.7°C | 19.6°C | 59 mm | 69% | 2.5 m/s | 5.9 |
| 1988 | 32.3°C | 26.8°C | 21.4°C | 36.0°C | 19.4°C | 69 mm | 72% | 2.3 m/s | 6 |
| 1987 | 33.5°C | 27.5°C | 21.4°C | 37.4°C | 19.7°C | 54 mm | 60% | 1.4 m/s | 5.5 |
| 1986 | 33.2°C | 27.4°C | 21.5°C | 37.8°C | 19.2°C | 43 mm | 66% | 2.4 m/s | 5.6 |
| 1985 | 33.9°C | 27.7°C | 21.5°C | 38.8°C | 20.3°C | 56 mm | 61% | 2.3 m/s | 5.9 |
| 1984 | 33.8°C | 27.5°C | 21.3°C | 37.0°C | 19.5°C | 31 mm | 66% | 2.2 m/s | 6.3 |
| 1983 | 33.7°C | 27.9°C | 22.2°C | 39.0°C | 20.2°C | 27 mm | 63% | 1.8 m/s | — |
| 1982 | 32.1°C | 26.7°C | 21.2°C | 34.9°C | 20.1°C | 73 mm | 70% | 1.4 m/s | — |
| 1981 | 31.4°C | 26.2°C | 21.0°C | 34.4°C | 19.6°C | 125 mm | 73% | 1.8 m/s | — |
Actual recorded May data for each year, 1981–2025 — sourced from NASA POWER.
The average high in May is around 32.1°C with lows near 21.5°C (mean 26.8°C), based on 45 years of NASA POWER data.
May averages 97 mm of rainfall in Nilgiris, a relatively wet time of year. The wettest on record was 261 mm in 2004.
The hottest May reached 40°C in 2024. The coldest dipped to 18.1°C in 2014.
Comparing the earliest years on record (1981–1985) with the most recent (2021–2025), average May temperatures have fallen by about 1.2°C — but days and nights have moved in opposite directions. Overnight lows rose from 21.4°C to 21.5°C while daytime highs eased from 33°C to 30.6°C, narrowing the gap between day and night.
May is one of the warmer months of the year in Nilgiris and a relatively wet time of year, so plan for around 32.1°C daytime highs and 21.5°C at night.
Not quite — May is the 10th coolest month in Nilgiris, averaging 26.8°C.
For May in Nilgiris, pack light, breathable clothing and sun protection, with typical highs of 32.1°C and lows of 21.5°C. Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket too.
Relative humidity in May averages 71% — moderately humid.
Average wind speed in May is 2 m/s. The windiest May on record averaged 2.7 m/s (1990).
The wettest May on record was 2004 with 261 mm. On average, May sees 97 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 Nilgiris 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.
