Last updated: August 31, 2025
In May, Windhoek, Namibia, experiences a delightful climate characterized by a comfortable maximum temperature of 28°C (83°F) and an average temperature of 16°C (61°F), while nights can be cool, with a minimum dipping to 0°C (32°F). Notably, this month sees minimal rainfall, with only 1 mm recorded over 0 precipitation days, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities. Humidity levels are moderate at 66%, adding a pleasant touch to the air. Overall, May offers a perfect blend of warmth and dryness, making it a lovely time to explore the capital city.
In May, Windhoek experiences a notable transition in temperatures as the city prepares for winter. With minimums dropping to 0°C (32°F) and an average high of 28°C (83°F), the climate is characterized by crisp mornings and pleasantly warm afternoons. This pattern marks a significant change from the preceding months, with April's averages reflecting a milder climate. The shift becomes more pronounced as May brings the year's lowest temperatures, while the daytime sun still provides inviting warmth. Overall, this month offers a delightful balance of coolness and comfort, making it a perfect time for outdoor explorations in Namibia's stunning landscapes.
In Windhoek, Namibia, May marks a notable shift in the precipitation patterns as the city experiences an almost complete dry spell, receiving a mere 1 mm of rain. This is a stark contrast to the rainy months preceding it, such as January and February, which see significant precipitation with totals of 122 mm and 133 mm respectively over multiple rainfall days. The gradual decline from April's 31 mm to May’s negligible amount indicates a transition towards the dry winter months. As the landscape dries out, June follows suit with 0 mm of rain, establishing a trend of minimal precipitation that persists until late spring. This pattern highlights Windhoek's distinct seasonal variations, where the vibrant rains of earlier months give way to a stark aridity characteristic of its cooler months.
In May, Windhoek experiences a notable dip in humidity at 66%, following a gradual increase from earlier months. This slight decrease from April's 72% reflects the transition into the cooler winter months, as the city moves towards June, where humidity continues to drop to 59%. Interestingly, while May's humidity is lower than the peak levels seen in March and April, it remains significantly higher than the much drier months that follow, such as July and August, where levels plunge to 46% and 38%, respectively. This trend illustrates Windhoek's unique climate, where humidity diminishes sharply as the year progresses, offering a taste of the drier, more arid conditions that characterize the Namibian winter.
As the seasons shift, the UV Index in Windhoek, Namibia reflects a gradual decline in intensity. In May, the UV Index reaches a very high level of 9, with a burn time of 15 minutes—a notable decrease from the extreme values seen in the earlier months. Starting from an extreme peak of 16 in January and February, the index steadily drops through April before stabilizing in May. This trend suggests a slight easing in sun exposure risk as winter approaches, yet caution remains essential due to the potent UV rays. For those enjoying the sun, it's important to stay informed about the Windhoek UV Index to ensure safe outdoor activities and protect your skin year-round.
UV Risk Categories
As May unfolds in Windhoek, Namibia, the city basks in a delightful average of 329 hours of sunshine, continuing its trend of abundant sunlight that characterizes the region. Following the vibrant light of March, which boasts an impressive 350 hours, May remains radiant, closely mirroring the April sun with 330 hours. This is part of a captivating pattern reflecting that Windhoek consistently enjoys substantial daylight from the start of the year, where hours of sunshine steadily increase, peaking dramatically in the later months. As winter approaches, the sunshine does not wane significantly; in fact, June captures a respectable 314 hours. Overall, Windhoek's May sunshine creates a warm ambiance, beautifully bridging the seasonal changes while keeping the days bright and cheery.
In May, Windhoek basks in increasingly sunny weather, with a remarkable 89% chance of sunshine. This rising trend from April's 81% indicates that as the seasons progress, the likelihood of sunny days enhances significantly. Following May, the chances peak in June at an impressive 94%, showcasing the region's transition toward its dryer months. By the time summer rolls around in July, residents can expect an astonishing 99% of sun-soaked days. Overall, the progression from the earlier months not only reveals a growing abundance of sunshine but also highlights Windhoek's reputation as a consistently bright destination.
As the seasons shift in Windhoek, Namibia, daylight duration plays a fascinating role in the daily rhythm of life. In January, the sun graces the city with an impressive 13 hours of daylight, gradually tapering down to 12 hours in February and March. By the time April arrives, residents experience a slight decrease in daylight, with 11 hours becoming the norm in both April and May. This trend of diminishing daylight continues into the winter months of June and July, where only 10 hours are available. However, as spring approaches, daylight begins to stretch once again, returning to 11 hours in August and September, and rebounding to 12 hours in October. Finally, November and December bring back the long, sunlit days, culminating in 13 hours once more, which creates a vibrant backdrop for the festive season. This cyclical pattern of daylight not only influences daily activities but also reflects the dynamic beauty of Windhoek's climate throughout the year.
In Windhoek, Namibia, the month of May brings a gentle breeze, with an average wind speed of 2.6 m/s (6 mph). While it may not be the windiest time of the year, May maintains a consistent air flow that complements the region’s mild autumn weather. This slight dip in wind speed compared to the preceding months, where April saw an average of 2.9 m/s, is part of a broader trend leading into the winter months. As the season progresses, the winds tend to pick up, with June expected to see an increase to 3.4 m/s (8 mph). Overall, May serves as a transitional month, where the winds gently whisper the change of seasons, offering a calm yet refreshing experience in this vibrant capital city.
Weather in Windhoek varies notably across the year, with each month offering distinct climate conditions. This page compares May’s weather to other months in Windhoek, focusing on differences in temperature, rainfall, humidity, and UV levels.
May and January showcase distinct contrasts in weather. In May, temperatures range from a chilly 0°C (32°F) at night to a pleasant average of 16°C (61°F), peaking at 28°C (83°F) during the day, with remarkably low precipitation of just 1 mm across the month. In stark contrast, January experiences significantly warmer conditions, with nighttime lows of 11°C (51°F) and daytime highs averaging 23°C (74°F) and soaring up to 35°C (95°F). Additionally, January sees much higher rainfall, totaling 122 mm (4.8 in) over about 9 days, along with lower humidity at 54%. For more detailed insights, you can check Windhoek weather in January.
In comparing the weather in May and February, we see notable differences in temperature and precipitation. May experiences cooler temperatures, with a minimum of 0°C and an average of 16°C, peaking at 28°C, while February is significantly warmer, with minimums around 12°C, averages at 22°C, and highs reaching 35°C. In terms of precipitation, May is remarkably dry with only 1 mm recorded and no rainy days, whereas February sees much more rainfall, totaling 133 mm over 11 days. Humidity levels are relatively similar, at 66% in May and 60% in February. For more details on February conditions, check out Windhoek weather in February.
When comparing the weather in May to that of March, several notable differences emerge. May experiences cooler temperatures, with minimums dropping to 0°C (32°F) and averages around 16°C (61°F), while March is notably warmer, with minimums of 8°C (47°F) and an average of 21°C (70°F). Additionally, March is characterized by higher precipitation, totaling 94 mm (3.7 in) over 11 days, whereas May boasts near-perfect dry conditions with only 1 mm (0.0 in) of precipitation across no rainy days. Humidity levels are fairly similar, with May at 66% and March slightly higher at 70%. For more detailed information on March weather, you can refer to Windhoek weather in March.
In comparing the weather of May and April, we can see distinct differences in temperature and precipitation. May features cooler temperatures, with a minimum of 0°C (32°F) and an average of 16°C (61°F), while April is warmer overall, experiencing a minimum of 7°C (45°F) and an average of 18°C (65°F). Additionally, April sees more significant rainfall, recording 31 mm (1.2 in) across five days, in stark contrast to May, which boasts only 1 mm (0.0 in) of precipitation over zero days. Humidity levels are slightly lower in May at 66%, compared to 72% in April. For more detailed information, you can check Windhoek weather in April.
In comparing the weather of May and June, we notice some notable differences. May experiences a wider temperature range, with a minimum of 0°C (32°F) and a maximum of 28°C (83°F), leading to a comfortable average of 16°C (61°F). In contrast, June's temperatures are slightly cooler, featuring a minimum of -1°C (31°F) and a maximum of 26°C (80°F), resulting in a lower average of 13°C (56°F). Both months record minimal precipitation, with May seeing 1 mm and June having none at all. Additionally, humidity levels are slightly higher in May at 66% compared to June's 59%. For more information on June's weather, you can visit Windhoek weather in June.
In May, the weather typically features a minimum temperature of 0°C (32°F) and an average of 16°C (61°F), peaking at a maximum of 28°C (83°F). This month enjoys dry conditions with minimal precipitation, and a humidity level of 66% creates a comfortable atmosphere. In contrast, July experiences cooler temperatures, with a minimum of -2°C (28°F), an average of 13°C (55°F), and a maximum of 26°C (80°F). While precipitation remains minimal in both months, July is characterized by lower humidity at 46%, contributing to a crisp and refreshing feel. For more detailed insights, visit Windhoek weather in July.
In comparing the weather of May and August, we see some notable differences. May experiences a more temperate average of 16°C (61°F), while August has a slightly lower average temperature of 15°C (60°F). The minimum temperature in May is a comfortable 0°C (32°F), whereas August dips to -1°C (30°F). Both months exhibit similar maximum temperatures up to 28°C (83°F) and are characterized by a lack of precipitation, with both months recording 0 mm and 0 days of rain. However, humidity levels in May are higher at 66%, compared to August's much drier 38%, resulting in a more comfortable atmosphere in May. For more details on August's weather specifics, check out Windhoek weather in August.
In May, the weather features a cool range with a minimum temperature of 0°C (32°F) and an average of 16°C (61°F), reaching a comfortable maximum of 28°C (83°F). The month sees very little precipitation, with only 1 mm recorded and no rainy days, resulting in a humidity level of 66%, which is relatively high for this time of year.
In contrast, September boasts slightly warmer temperatures with a minimum of 1°C (34°F) and an average of 20°C (68°F), peaking at 33°C (92°F). While precipitation remains low at 2 mm with no rainy days, the humidity drops significantly to 32%. This creates a much drier atmosphere compared to May. For more details on September weather, you can check Windhoek weather in September.
May and October present distinct weather characteristics that reflect the transition between seasons. In May, temperatures range from a chilly minimum of 0°C (32°F) to a warm average of 16°C (61°F), peaking at a maximum of 28°C (83°F). This month experiences minimal precipitation, with an average of just 1 mm over no rainy days, and humidity levels are relatively high at 66%.
In contrast, October tends to be warmer with a minimum temperature of 6°C (43°F) and an average of 22°C (72°F), reaching up to a maximum of 34°C (94°F). This month sees slightly more precipitation, averaging 9 mm over two days, while humidity drops significantly to 32%. For more specific details on October's weather patterns, you can visit Windhoek weather in October.
In May, the weather is moderate, with temperatures ranging from a chilly 0°C (32°F) at night to a warm 28°C (83°F) during the day. The minimal precipitation (1 mm) and lack of rainy days contribute to a relatively dry atmosphere, coupled with a humidity level of 66%.
In contrast, November brings warmer temperatures, with a minimum of 8°C (46°F) and highs reaching up to 35°C (95°F). While the average temperature is slightly higher at 24°C (75°F), November experiences a bit more precipitation (7 mm), albeit over just one day, and a lower humidity level of 32%. For more details on this month's weather, check out Windhoek weather in November.
In comparing May and December weather, we see notable differences in temperature and precipitation patterns. May typically features a cooler climate, with minimum temperatures around 0°C (32°F) and an average of 16°C (61°F), peaking at 28°C (83°F). In contrast, December experiences a warmer range, with minimum temperatures of 9°C (48°F), average highs of 24°C (75°F), and maximums reaching up to 34°C (94°F). Additionally, May boasts dry conditions with only 1 mm of precipitation over 0 days, while December is much wetter, receiving approximately 66 mm spread across 7 days. This difference in humidity also plays a role, as May has a higher humidity level of 66% compared to December's 45%. For further details on December weather, you can visit Windhoek weather in December.
May in Windhoek boasts pleasantly mild temperatures, providing a welcome contrast to the heat of the preceding months. With an average daily temperature around 16°C (61°F), residents and visitors can enjoy outdoor activities without the oppressive heat typical of summer. Furthermore, May's lack of rainfall—recording no precipitation days—ensures that the sun shines brightly, making it an idyllic time to explore the city's landscapes. The humidity levels, while slightly elevated at 66%, do not detract from the overall comfort of the month, setting it apart as a perfect transitional phase before the cold winter arrives. For more insights on what to expect year-round, check out Windhoek Climate.