Mammoth Lakes, CA weather in May
In May, Mammoth Lakes sees highs around 60°F and lows around 35°F: cool and mostly dry. Expect about 6 wet days. Snowfall averages about 1.6 in. Good for outdoor plans.
- Normal high
- 60°F
- Normal low
- 35°F
- Wet days
- 6
- 1.5 in total
- Snowfall
- 1.6 in
- normal snowfall
How May changes from start to finish
| May 1 | May 31 | |
|---|---|---|
| Normal high | 56°F | 65°F |
| Normal low | 31°F | 38°F |
| Sunrise / sunset | 6:00 am / 7:45 pm | 5:36 am / 8:10 pm |
| Daylight | 13.8 h | 14.6 h |
Chance of a wet day: average for the first and last 7 days of the month. Times are local clock time (Pacific Time).
What kind of days to expect
- Comfortable dayshigh 65-80°F (temperature only: no humidity station nearby)11 of 31
- Hot dayshigh 90°F or more0 of 31
- Wet daysat least 0.01 in of rain or melted snow6 of 31
- Notable rainat least 0.10 in3 of 31
- Freezing nightslow 32°F or below14 of 31
- Snow on the groundsnow depth 1 in or more0 of 31
Average days per May, counted from daily records for each year 1991-2020.
Rain and snow in May
Normal precipitation is 1.5 in. About 1 day brings half an inch or more. Normal snowfall is 1.6 in.
How May varies from year to year
- Warmest May, 1991-20202001: average high 69°F
- Coolest May1998: average high 51°F
- Wettest May2019: 8.0 in
- Driest May2012: no measurable precipitation
- Highest reading81°F (May 19, 2008)
- Lowest reading13°F (May 11, 2000)
From the station's daily records with NOAA quality flags removed; most recent date shown when a reading repeats.
May compared with April and June
| April | May | June | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal high | 51°F | 60°F | 70°F |
| Normal low | 27°F | 35°F | 42°F |
| Wet days | 7 | 6 | 3 |
| Comfortable days | 3 | 11 | 21 |
| Daylight | 13.2 h | 14.2 h | 14.7 h |
Highs change by +9°F from April and +10°F into June.
Nearby alternatives in May
- Warmer: Yosemite Valley, CA34 mi · high 71°F · 6 wet days
- Drier: Visalia, CA93 mi · high 81°F · 2 wet days
How Mammoth Lakes ranks in May
- Normal high358th warmest of 378 cities; 60th of 60 in California
- Wet days91st driest of 378
What to pack for Mammoth Lakes in May
- A warm jacket – lows near 35°F, highs near 60°F
- Layers – afternoons near 60°F but nights near 35°F
Heating and cooling
May has 544 heating degree days and 0 cooling degree days (base 65°F), 7% of the year's total heating and cooling demand.
Questions
How cold is Mammoth Lakes in May?
The normal high is 60°F and the normal low is 35°F. From 1991 to 2020 the coldest May reading was 13°F (May 11, 2000).
Does it rain a lot in Mammoth Lakes in May?
About 6 days in May have at least 0.01 in of precipitation, and the normal total is 1.5 in. The wettest May in 1991-2020 was in 2019 (8.0 in); the driest was in 2012, with no measurable precipitation.
Does it snow in Mammoth Lakes in May?
Yes. Normal snowfall in May is 1.6 in.
Is May a good time to visit Mammoth Lakes?
May ranks 5th of 12 months on our comfort score for Mammoth Lakes (69 out of 100). It has about 11 comfortable days (judged by temperature only). The best months are June, August and September.
Where the numbers come from
- Temperature, rain and frost dates: Mammoth Lakes RS (USC00045280), 0.6 mi E of the city center, 7,804 ft (69 ft lower than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Snowfall and snow depth: Lee Vining (USC00044881), 23 mi NNW of the city center, 6,797 ft (1,076 ft lower than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Not available for this location: humidity and wind by hour, cloud cover and daily humidity and wind (no station close enough or similar enough in elevation).