When to go · Fort McMurray
Fort McMurray in May
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb unless you are equipped for −30 °C (−22 °F) and darker days; May–Jun for smoke and fire risk.Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb unless you are equipped for −22 °F (−30 °C) and darker days; May–Jun for smoke and fire risk.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) / 3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 11
- Crowds
- Medium
- Canada overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Canada overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb unless you are equipped for −30 °C (−22 °F) and darker days; May–Jun for smoke and fire risk.Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb unless you are equipped for −22 °F (−30 °C) and darker days; May–Jun for smoke and fire risk.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Fort McMurray's best window: Jun–Sep for warm days and plant tours; late Aug–Mar for aurora.
- JulyGreatInside Fort McMurray's best window: Jun–Sep for warm days and plant tours; late Aug–Mar for aurora.
- AugustGreatInside Fort McMurray's best window: Jun–Sep for warm days and plant tours; late Aug–Mar for aurora.
- SeptemberGreatInside Fort McMurray's best window: Jun–Sep for warm days and plant tours; late Aug–Mar for aurora.
Weather in May
- Fort McMurrayHighs around 17.2 °C (63 °F), lows around 2.6 °C (37 °F), rain on about 11 daysHighs around 63 °F (17.2 °C), lows around 37 °F (2.6 °C), rain on about 11 days
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Canada overall
- Medium
- Prices · Canada overall
- Medium
Canada overall: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Fort McMurray, side by side.
Verdict
May: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 17.2 °C (63 °F)63 °F (17.2 °C)
Jan: -11.9 °C (11 °F)11 °F (-11.9 °C)
Night low
May: 2.6 °C (37 °F)37 °F (2.6 °C)
Jan: -22.3 °C (−8 °F)−8 °F (-22.3 °C)
Rain days
May: 11 (better)
Jan: 12
Crowds
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 0
May: Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb unless you are equipped for −30 °C and darker days; May–Jun for smoke and fire risk.
January: Inside Fort McMurray's best window: Jun–Sep for warm days and plant tours; late Aug–Mar for aurora.
Fort McMurray: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast