Nanjing Weather in May

May in Nanjing is warm, with temperatures between 19°C and 34°C—8 sunny days and 12 cloudy days. There are 7 rainy days, including heavy rain or thunderstorms, and morning fog comes 3 times. Most days have good air quality (20 "Good" days). Bring light layers: mornings are cool (13-17°C) but turn hot by afternoon, so you need an umbrella for sudden rain.

	Average Maximum	Average Minimum	Highest Maximum	Lowest Minimum
℃	27.4°	18.3°	34°	13°
℉	81.3°	64.9°	93.2°	55.4°

Sunny: 8 days

Cloudy: 12 days

Rainy: 7 days

Overcast: 4 days

What to wear and bring in Nanjing in May?

Early May

Early May in Nanjing has temperatures ranging from 13°C to 33°C, with mostly sunny or cloudy days and occasional rain, like moderate rain on May 4. Wear a short-sleeve or thin long-sleeve shirt as the base. Add a light jacket for cool mornings and take it off when it warms up at noon. Jeans or casual pants work for the lower body. Bring waterproof shoes and a foldable umbrella for sudden rain. Comfortable walking shoes are good for outdoor activities, and air quality is mostly good so no need for masks usually.

Mid-May

Mid-May in Nanjing has warmer days (up to 34°C) and mild nights (around 17-22°C); there are occasional thunderstorms (like May 20) and sudden showers. Wear breathable cotton shirts or blouses during the day, and add a light cardigan for cooler evenings. Waterproof sandals or sneakers work for both rain and humidity. The sun gets stronger, so you need sunglasses and sunscreen for sure, and a small umbrella handles surprise rain.

Late May

Late May in Nanjing sees temperatures from 16°C to 31°C, plus occasional rain, heavy rain included on May 31. During the day, wear short-sleeve or thin long-sleeve shirts; cool mornings only need a thin jacket. Lightweight pants or skirts work for the lower body. Bring comfortable walking shoes if you visit museums. Have a foldable umbrella for rain. Air quality is mostly good, so you just need basic items to keep your trip smooth and skip weather troubles.

Touring Nanjing in May

In May, Nanjing turns lush green. Visit Yanque Lake to see water lilies blooming like a Monet painting and spot deer across the shore. Stroll under the shaded sycamores of Lingyuan Road in the cool morning breeze. Don't miss the dragon boat races at Xuanwu Lake or the intangible cultural heritage market in Laodongmen in Nanjing for traditional crafts. Foodies should try spring dishes like stir-fried Chinese toon with eggs and refreshing chrysanthemum greens soup. End your meal with sweet mugwort rice balls for a true taste of the season.

By Kristen Qin
Web Editor