May weather forecast
Opelousas, LA

May is when summer starts to make its presence felt in full force in Opelousas, Louisiana. The month is epitomized by longer daylight hours and an escalation in warmth, prompting locals to pack away their spring wardrobes in favor of lighter, airier clothing options. The month, characterized by long sunny days, experiences an average high temperature of 84.6°F (29.2°C), one of the highest in the first half of the year. As May bows out and June steps in, temperatures continue their rise, giving the city's residents a hint of the intense summer heat that's just around the corner.

Temperature

The shift from April to May is marked by a slight increase in the average high-temperature, moving from a warm 77.5°F (25.3°C) to a still moderately hot 84.6°F (29.2°C). In the month of May, the temperature generally rests at an average low of 65.8°F (18.8°C).

Heat index

During May, the heat index is computed to be a fiery hot 95°F (35°C). Adopt heightened safety measures, heat cramps and heat exhaustion may occur. Sustained activity might cause heatstroke.
Remember that heat index calculations are made for conditions in the shade with light wind. With direct sunlight, the heat index could increase by 15 Fahrenheit (8 Celsius) degrees.
Note: The heat index, also known as 'apparent temperature' or 'real feel', is derived by integrating air temperature with the existing relative humidity to express the perceived warmth. One's perception of temperature can vary depending on physical activity and individual heat sensitivity, influenced by factors like wind, attire, and metabolic variations. Remember, direct sunlight exposure can heighten the heat impact and might increase the heat index by 15 Fahrenheit (8 Celsius) degrees. Heat index values are highly critical for babies and toddlers. Young individuals usually face more risks than adults due to their lower sweat production. Their large skin surface area relative to their tiny bodies and high heat production from their activities adds to their risk.
To offset high temperatures, the human body releases sweat which, upon evaporation, cools it down. An increase in relative humidity hinders the body's normal cooling function by reducing evaporation, thereby decreasing the rate of body cooling and enhancing the sense of warmth. Overheating and potential dehydration arise when body heat gain eclipses its release capability.

Humidity

In May, the average relative humidity is 77%.

Rainfall

In Opelousas, in May, it is raining for 10.1 days, with typically 0.94" (24mm) of accumulated precipitation. In Opelousas, Louisiana, during the entire year, the rain falls for 127.3 days and collects up to 11.65" (296mm) of precipitation.

Snowfall

February through November are months without snowfall in Opelousas.

Daylight

In May, the average length of the day is 13h and 43min.
On the first day of the month, sunrise is at 6:23 am and sunset at 7:46 pm. On the last day of May, sunrise is at 6:06 am and sunset at 8:05 pm CDT.

Sunshine

The average sunshine in May is 9.7h.

UV index

In May, the average daily maximum UV index is 6. A UV Index estimate of 6 to 7 represents a high health risk from unsafe exposure to UV radiation for the average person.
Note: The daily high UV index of 6 in May translates into this advice:
Deflect overexposure. Sun protection is a necessity. Be aware that the sun's UV radiation is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and try to reduce direct sun exposure during this period as much as possible. A wide-brimmed hat provides unparalleled sun protection for sensitive areas like the eyes, ears, and neck.