Billings, MT weather in May
In May, Billings sees highs around 68°F and lows around 42°F: mild, with frequent rain. There are about 12 days with rain or snow. Snowfall averages about 0.9 in.
- Normal high
- 68°F
- Normal low
- 42°F
- Wet days
- 12
- 2.4 in total
- Snowfall
- 0.9 in
- normal snowfall
How May changes from start to finish
| May 1 | May 31 | |
|---|---|---|
| Normal high | 63°F | 72°F |
| Normal low | 37°F | 47°F |
| Chance of a wet day | 38% | 41% |
| Sunrise / sunset | 6:01 am / 8:20 pm | 5:28 am / 8:55 pm |
| Daylight | 14.3 h | 15.4 h |
Chance of a wet day: average for the first and last 7 days of the month. Times are local clock time (Mountain Time).
A typical May day
- 6 am47°Fdew point 38°F
- 9 am55°Fdew point 39°F
- Noon62°Fdew point 37°F
- 3 pm64°Fdew point 37°F
- 6 pm62°Fdew point 38°F
- 9 pm55°Fdew point 39°F
NOAA hourly normals (local standard time) from Billings Logan Intl Airport (3 mi away); average wind 10 mph; clear or few clouds in 32% of daytime hours, mostly cloudy or overcast in 42%.
What kind of days to expect
- Comfortable dayshigh 65-80°F and dew point under 60°F18 of 31
- Hot dayshigh 90°F or more1 of 31
- Muggy daysdaily mean dew point 65°F or more0 of 31
- Wet daysat least 0.01 in of rain or melted snow12 of 31
- Notable rainat least 0.10 in6 of 31
- Freezing nightslow 32°F or below2 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 2.4 in; a dry May brings about 1.3 in and a wet one about 2.4 in (25th and 75th percentiles). About 1 day brings half an inch or more. Normal snowfall is 0.9 in.
How May varies from year to year
- Warmest May, 1991-20202001: average high 77°F
- Coolest May2019: average high 60°F
- Wettest May2011: 9.5 in
- Driest May2001: 0.2 in
- Highest reading96°F (May 31, 2002)
- Lowest reading22°F (May 2, 2005)
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 | 59°F | 68°F | 77°F |
| Normal low | 33°F | 42°F | 50°F |
| Wet days | 10 | 12 | 11 |
| Comfortable days | 11 | 18 | 15 |
| Daylight | 13.6 h | 14.9 h | 15.7 h |
Highs change by +9°F from April and +9°F into June.
Nearby alternatives in May
- Cooler: Big Sky, MT143 mi · high 58°F · 14 wet days
How Billings ranks in May
- Normal high309th warmest of 378 cities; 1st of 6 in Montana
- Wet days282nd driest of 378
- Comfortable days32nd most of 339
What to pack for Billings in May
- Layers – afternoons near 68°F but nights near 42°F
- A rain jacket or umbrella – rain or snow on about 12 days
Frost in May
The last spring frost typically comes around May 10; in 1 year in 10 it comes after May 24. All frost dates for Billings.
Heating and cooling
May has 326 heating degree days and 8 cooling degree days (base 65°F), 4% of the year's total heating and cooling demand.
Questions
How cold is Billings in May?
The normal high is 68°F and the normal low is 42°F. From 1991 to 2020 the coldest May reading was 22°F (May 2, 2005).
Does it rain a lot in Billings in May?
About 12 days in May have at least 0.01 in of precipitation, and the normal total is 2.4 in. The wettest May in 1991-2020 was in 2011 (9.5 in); the driest was in 2001 (0.2 in).
Does it snow in Billings in May?
Yes. Normal snowfall in May is 0.9 in.
Is May a good time to visit Billings?
May ranks 1st of 12 months on our comfort score for Billings (78 out of 100). It has about 18 comfortable days and about 1 day at 90°F or hotter. The best month is May.
Where the numbers come from
- Temperature and frost dates: Billings WTP (USC00240802), 1.2 mi SE of the city center, 3,097 ft . NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Rain, snowfall, snow depth, humidity and wind by hour and cloud cover: Billings Logan Intl Airport (USW00024033), 2.6 mi NW of the city center, 3,581 ft (459 ft higher than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Daily humidity and wind: Billings Logan International Airport (726770-24033), 2.7 mi NW of the city center, 3,590 ft (468 ft higher than the city). Hourly observations, 1991-2020.