Wisconsin Dells, WI weather in May
Wisconsin Dells is mild in May, with frequent rain: highs average 69°F and nights drop to about 45°F. Expect about 12 wet days.
- Normal high
- 69°F
- Normal low
- 45°F
- Wet days
- 12
- 4.4 in total
- Muggy days
- 1
- dew point 65°F+
How May changes from start to finish
| May 1 | May 31 | |
|---|---|---|
| Normal high | 64°F | 75°F |
| Normal low | 39°F | 51°F |
| Chance of a wet day | 39% | 38% |
| Sunrise / sunset | 5:51 am / 8:01 pm | 5:20 am / 8:32 pm |
| Daylight | 14.2 h | 15.2 h |
Chance of a wet day: average for the first and last 7 days of the month. Times are local clock time (Central Time).
A typical May day
- 6 am52°Fdew point 46°F
- 9 am60°Fdew point 47°F
- Noon65°Fdew point 47°F
- 3 pm67°Fdew point 47°F
- 6 pm65°Fdew point 46°F
- 9 pm57°Fdew point 47°F
NOAA hourly normals (local standard time) from Madison Dane Rgnl Airport (40 mi away); average wind 8 mph.
What kind of days to expect
- Comfortable dayshigh 65-80°F and dew point under 60°F15 of 31
- Hot dayshigh 90°F or more1 of 31
- Muggy daysdaily mean dew point 65°F or more1 of 31
- Wet daysat least 0.01 in of rain or melted snow12 of 31
- Notable rainat least 0.10 in9 of 31
- Freezing nightslow 32°F or below3 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 in May
Normal precipitation is 4.4 in; a dry May brings about 3.4 in and a wet one about 5.3 in (25th and 75th percentiles). About 3 days bring half an inch or more, and about 1 an inch or more.
How May varies from year to year
- Warmest May, 1991-20202018: average high 76°F
- Coolest May1996: average high 63°F
- Wettest May2004: 12.7 in
- Driest May1994: 1.6 in
- Highest reading98°F (May 28, 2018)
- Lowest reading21°F (May 2, 2004)
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 | 57°F | 69°F | 79°F |
| Normal low | 33°F | 45°F | 56°F |
| Wet days | 11 | 12 | 11 |
| Comfortable days | 8 | 15 | 11 |
| Daylight | 13.4 h | 14.7 h | 15.4 h |
Highs change by +12°F from April and +10°F into June.
Nearby alternatives in May
- Cooler: Sister Bay, WI169 mi · high 59°F · 11 wet days
How Wisconsin Dells ranks in May
- Normal high279th warmest of 378 cities; 1st of 5 in Wisconsin
- Wet days274th driest of 378
- Comfortable days118th most of 339
What to pack for Wisconsin Dells in May
- A rain jacket or umbrella – rain on about 12 days
Frost in May
The last spring frost typically comes around May 8; in 1 year in 10 it comes after May 22. All frost dates for Wisconsin Dells.
Heating and cooling
May has 271 heating degree days and 32 cooling degree days (base 65°F), 4% of the year's total heating and cooling demand.
Questions
How cold is Wisconsin Dells in May?
The normal high is 69°F and the normal low is 45°F. From 1991 to 2020 the coldest May reading was 21°F (May 2, 2004).
Does it rain a lot in Wisconsin Dells in May?
About 12 days in May have at least 0.01 in of precipitation, and the normal total is 4.4 in. The wettest May in 1991-2020 was in 2004 (12.7 in); the driest was in 1994 (1.6 in).
Is May a good time to visit Wisconsin Dells?
May ranks 1st of 12 months on our comfort score for Wisconsin Dells (71 out of 100). It has about 15 comfortable days and about 1 day at 90°F or hotter. The best month is May.
Where the numbers come from
- Temperature, rain, snowfall, snow depth and frost dates: Wisconsin Dells (USC00479319), 1.3 mi S of the city center, 835 ft (76 ft lower than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Humidity and wind by hour: Madison Dane Rgnl Airport (USW00014837), 40 mi SSE of the city center, 866 ft . NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Daily humidity and wind: Dane Co Regional-Truax Field Airport (726410-14837), 40 mi SSE of the city center, 859 ft (52 ft lower than the city). Hourly observations, 1991-2020.
- Not available for this location: cloud cover (no station close enough or similar enough in elevation).