Climatological averages, historical records, packing tips and best time to visit Valencia during May. AEMET / ECMWF reanalysis 1991-2020.
Reference values based on 1991-2020 AEMET / ECMWF climatology. Year-to-year variation can be significant.
| Metric | Value | Date |
|---|---|---|
| All-time high | 43.5 °C | August 2003 |
| 24h DANA rainfall | 491 mm | October 1957 |
| All-time low | -7.2 °C | February 1956 |
| Hail size | 9 cm | May 2022 |
Official records (AEMET). Secondary stations may have more extreme readings.
In May, Valencia typically shows maritime warmth with increasing humidity. The average high temperature is around 24°C and the average low around 15°C, with monthly rainfall of 34 mm spread over roughly 6 rain days and about 278 hours of sunshine. Average relative humidity stands at 65% and wind speed averages 12 km/h.
The local calendar in May is shaped by musical festivals, so checking the forecast a few days in advance is worth it before any outdoor activity. Averages give a general picture but extreme events can vary widely: in May, Valencia has recorded both unusually warm spells and cold incursions across recent decades.
For a typical stay we recommend t-shirt, sunglasses and sunscreen. UV protection is sensible on sunny days, even in a mild winter month, and a closed-toe waterproof shoe helps on damp days. For multi-day trips bring thin layers that you can combine through the day.
The first two weeks of May usually offer the best balance in Valencia: moderate crowds, friendlier prices and weather that remains representative of the month. Late May starts showing features of the transition to the next month. Use our custom historical lookup to check the actual values for the exact year you plan to travel.
Of the twelve months, May is the 6th warmest in Valencia and the 7th wettest. It collects 36 mm, 8 % of the whole year’s rain, spread over 8.4 days with appreciable precipitation, of which 1.1 exceed 10 mm. The warmest month is August and the wettest is September.
Among the 50 Spanish cities with AEMET climatological normals on this site, in May Valencia is the 20th warmest, with a mean maximum of 24.0 °C, and the 31st wettest. The wettest of them that month is San Sebastián, with 122 mm against Valencia’s 36 mm.
Averages hide what can actually happen. At the València observatory, a May has reached 42.0 °C as an absolute maximum and 6.0 °C as a minimum: that is the real range to reckon with, not the 19.6 °C mean. Relative humidity runs around 66 % and mean wind 8.3 km/h.
AEMET climatological normals 1991-2020, València observatory (13 m above sea level). Sources and methodology → · Forecast for Valencia →
