SeasonMapClearwater weather in May
United States
May in Clearwater: sweltering, a little rain, with muggy air — fine if you can take sticky heat.
#2 of 12 months in Clearwater · #153 of 1383 destinations to visit in May · comfort 90/100 (tier S)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Clearwater in May
Other months in Clearwater
Clearwater's forum calls March usually lovely beach weather, though winter isn't fully done with the Gulf coast yet — a cold front can still blow through and cool things off for a day or two. Regulars flag March as one of the area's busiest months as snowbirds and spring-break families both converge, so book well ahead and pack a warmer layer just in case.
Add your own note from Clearwater's card on the map.
Clearwater climate normals — May
| Daytime high | 30°C / 86°F | 🔥 sweltering |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 22°C / 72°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 34°C / 93°F | |
| Sea temperature | 27°C / 81°F | 😎 warm sea |
| Rainfall | 65 mm / 2.6 in | 🌦 some rain |
| Rainy days | 4 days | |
| Humidity | 75% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 20°C / 68°F | |
| Sunshine | 11.8 h/day | |
| Daylight | 13.5 h | |
| Wind | 24 km/h / 15 mph | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 53 | 🙂 moderate |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Clearwater in May
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Busyone of its best months for weather(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Clearwater's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Best weatherClearwater's weather peaks March–May, best around April.
May includes Sea turtle nesting.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Clearwater in May
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Nature
Sea turtle nesting
1 May – 31 OctLoggerheads nest along the Pinellas beaches from May to the end of October, with hatchlings from midsummer. Beachfront lights are shaded or switched off at night for the duration, which is why the sea front goes dim after dark.
- Season
Gulf warm enough to swim
1 May – 15 NovSea warm enoughThe shallow Gulf shelf warms early and holds it late, so the water is comfortable from May into November and bathlike by August. January and February are the two months you would want a wetsuit.
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Clearwater — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Clearwater?
Clearwater in May — FAQ
- Is May a good time to visit Clearwater?
- May in Clearwater: sweltering, a little rain, with muggy air — fine if you can take sticky heat. It ranks #2 of 12 months for Clearwater on SeasonMap's comfort score (90/100).
- What is the weather like in Clearwater in May?
- In May, Clearwater averages a daily high of 30.1°C and a low of 22.1°C, with about 64.9 mm of rain over roughly 4 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Clearwater in May?
- Clearwater has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 53 in May.
Other months in Clearwater
Compare Clearwater in May
Warmer or cooler than Clearwater in May
Similar destinations in North America — May
Within 300 km: Sarasota's Sea turtle nesting on 1 May – 31 Oct, and Naples, Florida's Sea turtle nesting on 1 May – 31 Oct.