May in Washington, DC: variable for golf — mixed conditions — check the live score. Best tee times: mid-morning through early afternoon.
| Average May Weather | |
|---|---|
| Avg daily high | 75°F |
| Avg daily low | 56°F |
| Rainy days | 17 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 10 mph |
May in Washington, D.C. is defined by one thing above all else: rain. With 17 precipitation days, it ties August as the second-wettest month of the year — meaning more than half your rounds carry a real chance of a shower interrupting play. That single variable is what earns May its Variable season-tier badge, despite temperatures that otherwise look ideal. Highs reach 75°F and lows settle around 56°F, putting the mercury squarely in the 60–80°F comfort window for most of the day.
The daily temperature swing of 19°F matters more than golfers expect. A morning tee time at 56°F feels meaningfully different from a midday round at 75°F, so layering is less optional than it sounds. Wind is relatively gentle at a 10 mph peak — fifth-calmest of the year — so when you do catch a dry window, conditions can be genuinely pleasant. The challenge is finding that window consistently.
Book early-morning slots on weekdays when radar looks clear, because afternoon convective showers are common in May and courses fill fast on the rare dry weekend. Given that rain is possible on more than half the days this month, a flexible cancellation policy is worth prioritizing when choosing where to play. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
April is cooler by 9°F and slightly less rainy at 15 precipitation days, but its 12 mph peak winds make club selection harder on exposed layouts around D.C. June matches May's 9°F temperature step upward, reaching an 84°F average high, and drops to 16 precipitation days — one fewer than May — with winds nearly identical at 9.9 mph. In practical terms, May sits in an awkward middle: warmer than April but wetter, and only marginally rainier than June while giving up 9 degrees of warmth.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Washington, DC for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
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It depends heavily on weather luck. Temperatures are comfortable — highs around 75°F — and wind is relatively calm at 10 mph, but 17 precipitation days make rain a near-constant factor. If you can stay flexible with your schedule and watch the forecast closely, you can find good rounds; if you need guaranteed conditions, May is a gamble.
May is tied for the second-wettest month of the year in D.C., with 17 days that see measurable precipitation. That doesn't mean every round gets rained out, but it does mean carrying rain gear and keeping an eye on afternoon radar is standard practice rather than cautious overthinking.