May weather forecast
Nantucket, MA

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Beautiful homes built on the water overlooking the boats on the water below, in Nantucket, Massachusetts
Beautiful homes built on the water overlooking the boats on the water below, in Nantucket, Massachusetts

Weather in May

Weather in Nantucket undergoes a significant change in May. Average high temperatures transition into the 50s, currently reaching 54.3°F (12.4°C). As the gateway month to the summer season, May sees grasslands turning greener and longer daylight hours that ring in a sense of warmth and renewal. With the temperature shift, the rainfall decreases compared to the spring months. It's the beginning of beach season in Nantucket, inviting residents and visitors alike to enjoy its seaside charm.

Temperature

Nantucket experiences a minor temperature shift with the start of May, with average high-temperatures moving from a chilly 47.5°F (8.6°C) in April to a fresh 54.3°F (12.4°C). During May, the nighttime temperatures align closely with the daytime averages, measuring a still cool 50.5°F (10.3°C).

Humidity

The average relative humidity in May is 85%.

Rainfall

In May, the rain falls for 14.3 days. Throughout May, 2.05" (52mm) of precipitation is accumulated. In Nantucket, Massachusetts, during the entire year, the rain falls for 153 days and collects up to 26.61" (676mm) of precipitation.

Snowfall

April through October are months without snowfall.

Ocean temperature

In May, the average ocean temperature is 50°F (10°C).
Note: Diving into 50°F (10°C) is practical below 50°F (10°C), given you're wearing protective swim gear; without it, expect a quick onset of cold shock and a struggle to breathe. Merely touching waters at 55.4°F (13°C) feels ice-cold.

Daylight

The average length of the day in May is 14h and 31min.
On the first day of the month, sunrise is at 5:36 am and sunset at 7:38 pm. On the last day of May, sunrise is at 5:09 am and sunset at 8:06 pm EDT.

Sunshine

The average sunshine in May is 8.5h.

UV index

In May, the average daily maximum UV index is 4. A UV Index of 3 to 5 symbolizes a medium vulnerability from unsafe exposure to UV radiation for ordinary individuals.
Note: The daily high UV index of 4 in May translates into this advice:
Exercise prevention - Protecting skin and eyes from harm is required. Given the potency of the midday Sun's UV radiation, one should avoid prolonged exposure. On bright days sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays should be worn. A hat with a wide brim is extremely helpful, as it can prevent roughly 50% of UV radiation from reaching the eyes.

Frequently asked questions

What are the temperatures in May?

The high-temperature, in May, in Nantucket, is 54.3°F (12.4°C), while the low-temperature averages to 50.5°F (10.3°C).

What is the average humidity in May?

In Nantucket, the average relative humidity in May is 85%.

How much does it rain in May?

In Nantucket, during May, the rain falls for 14.3 days and regularly aggregates up to 2.05" (52mm) of precipitation.

When it does not snow?

In Nantucket, snow does not fall in April through October.

How cold is the water in May?

In Nantucket, the average seawater temperature in May is 50°F (10°C). Swimming in 50°F (10°C) is considered life-threatening. Even a few minutes in 55.4°F (13°C) water is uncomfortable, and swimming below 50°F (10°C) may cause total loss of breathing control and cold shock, depending on a person's physique.

What is the average length of the day in May?

In Nantucket, the average day length in May is 14h and 31min.

What time are sunrise and sunset in May?

On the first day of May in Nantucket, sunrise is at 5:36 am and sunset at 7:38 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 5:09 am and sunset at 8:06 pm EDT.

How many hours of sunshine does Nantucket have in May?

In May, the average sunshine duration is 8.5h.

What is the UV index reading in May?

In Nantucket, the average daily maximum UV index in May is 4. A UV Index estimate of 3 to 5 represents a medium hazard to health from unprotected exposure to UV radiation.
Average humidity
Average rainfall days
Average snowfall
Average snowfall days
Average daylight
Average sunshine
Average sunshine days
Average UV index
Average cloud cover
Average visibility

Average temperature in May
Nantucket, MA

Average temperature in May - Nantucket, MA
  • Average high temperature in May: 54.3°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is August (72.1°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is February (39.7°F).

  • Average low temperature in May: 50.5°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is August (68.7°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is February (32.5°F).

Average pressure in May
Nantucket, MA

Average pressure in May - Nantucket, MA
  • Average pressure in May: 30.02"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is November (30.06"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is June (29.94"Hg).

Average wind speed in May
Nantucket, MA

Average wind speed in May - Nantucket, MA
  • Average wind speed in May: 13.9mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is January (18.5mph).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is August (11.8mph).

Average humidity in May
Nantucket, MA

Average humidity in May - Nantucket, MA
  • Average humidity in May: 85%

The month with the highest relative humidity is July (86%).
The months with the lowest relative humidity are January, November and December (75%).

Average rainfall in May
Nantucket, MA

Average rainfall in May - Nantucket, MA
  • Average rainfall in May: 2.05"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is October (3.27").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is November (1.77").

Average rainfall days in May
Nantucket, MA

Average rainfall days in May - Nantucket, MA
  • Average rainfall days in May: 14.3 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is May (14.3 days).
The month with the least rainy days is February (9.2 days).

Average snowfall in May
Nantucket, MA

Average snowfall in May - Nantucket, MA
  • Average snowfall in May: 0"

The month with the highest snowfall is January (1.06").
The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September and October (0").

Average snowfall days in May
Nantucket, MA

Average snowfall days in May - Nantucket, MA
  • Average snowfall days in May: 0 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is January (5.8 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are May, June, July, August, September and October (0 days).

Average sea temperature in May
Nantucket, MA

Average sea temperature in May - Nantucket, MA
  • Average sea temperature in May: 49.9°F

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is August (67.6°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average sea temperature) is February (37.9°F).

Average daylight in May /
Average sunshine in May
Nantucket, MA

Average daylight in May / Average sunshine in May - Nantucket, MA
  • Average daylight in May: 14h and 3min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 15h and 6min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 18min).

  • Average sunshine in May: 8h and 3min

The months with the most sunshine are July and August (Average sunshine: 10h and 42min).
The month with the least sunshine is December (Average sunshine: 4h and 18min).

Average sunshine days in May
Nantucket, MA

Average sunshine days in May - Nantucket, MA
  • Average sunshine days in May: 14.8 days

The month with the most sunshine days is August (16.5 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is January (11.3 days).

Average UV index in May
Nantucket, MA

Average UV index in May - Nantucket, MA
  • Average UV index in May: 4

The months with the highest UV index are July and August (UV index 6).
The months with the lowest UV index are January, February, March and December (UV index 2).

Average cloud cover in May
Nantucket, MA

Average cloud cover in May - Nantucket, MA
  • Average cloud cover in May: 44

The month with the most cloud cover is December (Cloud cover 54).
The month with the least cloud cover is August (Cloud cover 27).

Average visibility in May
Nantucket, MA

Average visibility in May - Nantucket, MA
  • Average visibility in May: 6mi

The months with the highest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).
The months with the lowest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).

Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA

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