San Francisco · May
Run in the morning.
Cool month: average high 63°F, low 52°F. Humidity averages 77% — the limiting factor on most runs. Cool, runnable conditions throughout — morning still has the steadiest air and lightest wind.
Avg high / low
63° / 52°F
Humidity
77%
Rain days
4/mo
Wind
17 mph
What May feels like in San Francisco
Sunrise
05:59
Mid-month average
Sunset
20:13
Mid-month average
Time-of-day breakdown
Morning
Coolest, driest air of the day. The window before sunrise is the most reliable comfortable hour.
Midday
Mild but UV and traffic peak. Workable if you don't mind shifting your pace.
Evening
Warm and runnable. Crowded routes but the air's typically calm.
What to wear running in San Francisco in May
The kit for May in San Francisco: shorts and a short-sleeve are the standard kit, a wind-blocking layer for exposed routes.
May vs the surrounding months
vs April
+2° avg high
-2 rain days
San Francisco in April →
May
63°F avg high
4 rain days
Best: morning
vs June
-4° avg high
+3 rain days
San Francisco in June →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of day to run in San Francisco in May?+
Morning. Cool, runnable conditions throughout — morning still has the steadiest air and lightest wind.
What's the average temperature in San Francisco in May?+
Average high 63°F, average low 52°F.
How does May compare to surrounding months in San Francisco?+
Compared to April (avg high 61°F), May is warmer. Compared to June (avg high 67°F), May is cooler.
Does it rain often in San Francisco in May?+
Expect about 4 measurable rain days in May, on average.