Kaikoura Weather in May
What's the weather like in Kaikoura (Canterbury) in May 2026?
The climate in Kaikoura during May can be summarized as cool and a little damp.
May is in the fall / autumn in Kaikoura and is typically the 5th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 11°C (52°F), whilst at night 2°C (36°F) is normal.
| Daytime temperature | 11.3°C 52.3°F |
|---|---|
| Nightly temperature | 2.3°C 36.2°F |
| Average temperature | 6.8°C 44.2°F |
| Daily sunshine | 4 hrs |
| Avg rainfall | 97 mm 3.8 ins |
| Rainy days | 11 days |
| Sea temperature | 12.9°C 55.2°F |
| Humidity | 74% |
| Windspeed | 12.2kph 8 mph |
On average May is the 3rd wettest month of the year in Kaikoura with around 97mm 3.8 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 11 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 4 hours of sunshine per day.
May temperatures in Kaikoura
May rainfall
May hourly sunshine
The data used in these monthly averages covers a period of over 100 years right up until last year. As such they are a valid prediction of what to expect for the weather in Kaikoura in May 2025.
Other monthly averages
Kaikoura weather stats
| Hottest month: | January | 19.9°C 67.8°F |
|---|---|---|
| Driest month: | February | 59mm 2.3ins |
| Sunniest month: | February | 7.1hrs |
| Coldest month: | July | 7.2°C 45°F |
| Wettest month: | July | 117mm 4.6ins |
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