How warm is May in California?

[perdy1234]

We are taking our first trip ever to California this may. What can we expect for weather? Should we pack mostly shorts and summer clothes? Does it reain very often?

 

[Master Mason]

We are taking our first trip ever to California this may. What can we expect for weather? Should we pack mostly shorts and summer clothes? Does it reain very often?

http://weather.msn.com/daily_averages.aspx?wealocations=wc:USCA0638&weai=5

 

[roxydotty]

We shouldn't get rain. I would check back when it gets closer to your dates. It could be very hot or warm so you will want shorts and t shirts, but you will want a sweater or light jacket because it can be cool in the mornings and evenings.

 

[HydroGuy]

See "Detailed Weather History for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

Average high will be 77 F, Average low will be 57 F. On average it will rain one day during the month.

 

[mommy2kande]

I live in NorCal, and it is generally very warm in May. An SoCal is usually warmer than we are. So, yeah, I'd stick with mainly shorts and t-shirts. Maybe one pair of pants and a light jacket, just in case.

 

[Cadillac_Dreamgirl]

it could be warm or very hot .... pack light clothing with a light jacket just in case.

 

[disney-inspired]

See "Detailed Weather History for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

Average high will be 77 F, Average low will be 57 F. On average it will rain one day during the month.

California has anything but average temperatures They get wacky and weather prediction more than a week ahead of time is just a bit silly IMHO

But the past few years it has started heating up at the end of April and lasts the whole summer. The only exception is the June gloom in Anaheim (because it's close to the beach).

 

[stopher1]

California has anything but average temperatures They get wacky and weather prediction more than a week ahead of time is just a bit silly IMHO

But the past few years it has started heating up at the end of April and lasts the whole summer. The only exception is the June gloom in Anaheim (because it's close to the beach).

Historical averages have been getting out of whack lately...what with it being mid April and in the 90's lately.

Growing up and living in So. Cal for 30 years, historically it was wonderful throughout April and May, but the weather is changing and has been for a number of years. I recall working there, wearing those lovely polyester costumes, and being very hot in the latter part of May, and into June, depsite the "June gloom", which usually burned off by early afternoon anyway. There are no guarantees, so plan for a bit of both - cool and warm(er). We have lots of family still in the LA basin, including the OC, and they have been lamenting the hot temps all through the last week or so. Plus my company's offices are in Irvine, and the folks there were complaining about it on a conference call just yesterday.

 

[HydroGuy]

California has anything but average temperatures They get wacky and weather prediction more than a week ahead of time is just a bit silly IMHO

But the past few years it has started heating up at the end of April and lasts the whole summer. The only exception is the June gloom in Anaheim (because it's close to the beach).

Not to argue, but to comment , I was born and grew up in SoCal and lived all over SoCal for 28 years - including the beach (UCSB grad here - GO GAUCHOS!).

I have been gone for...cough, cough.. a few years. But we still have lots of family and friends there and visit a few times a year.

In any case, the comment about it getting hot and staying hot does not correspond to my experience (well, the "staying hot" doesn't). We have had lengthy (one week) stays over the last ten years in San Diego, OC, Ventura and Riverside in different parts of the year but many times in the summer from June to August when we can fit it in.

In any case, of our summer trips (June, July and August) to DLR over the last five years it has never on a single day gotten over 85 degrees. In our 2000 trip in July I believe it got up to 90 degrees. Way back in 1989 (cough, cough again) when I was dating my wife-to-be we made a day trip to DL from San Diego in July and it topped out at 100 degrees at DL. I know it gets hot at DLR. Sometimes.

What does all of that mean? Well, it is anecdotal like other people's. But while it may be getting warmer, the "it gets hot and stays hot" is not what I have experienced.

Most of the averages in my weather link above were taken over the last 26 years. And they correspond roughly to my experience both when I was living there and all of my many visits since.

Does my experience count more than someone else's? Heavens no. But I distrust anecdotal reports of weather trends and believe more strongly on historical averages - especially if the averages represent recent history.

So, as always, eveyone is welcome to take this FWIW.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I was just on weather.com and the all-time high for our dates (May 10-14) was 92 degrees... whereas the all-time low was 44 degrees... so I guess it won't be 100 and we'll wish we were in a pool somewhere... but it could get toasty... like always we'll be packing layers... leaning toward capris and tees mostly...

--Lisa

 

[vegasnative]

One thing I have learned about So. Cal is no matter what time of year you go you always take something of everything. Meaning even though you are going in May, I would still pack 1 pair of jeans, and 1 sweatshirt or a light cardigan jacket. I have been in January when it was 90 and I have been in July when we needed sweatshirts at night. During the day in May you "should" be fine in shorts and t-shirts, but it IS So. Cal., so one never knows!

 

[JennHales]

We were there the first week of May back in 2004 and the weather was crazy HOT. 105 one day and 100 the other days. I was 7 months pregnant and miserable.
But it was a blast.
Jen