When to go · Hay River
Hay River in May
Good month. Outside the best window (Jun–Aug for fishing and road trips; late Aug–Mar for northern lights). Across Canada: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) / 1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 6
- Crowds
- Medium
- Canada overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Canada overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Jun–Aug for fishing and road trips; late Aug–Mar for northern lights). Across Canada: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated good. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Hay River's best window: Jun–Aug for fishing and road trips; late Aug–Mar for northern lights.
- JulyGreatInside Hay River's best window: Jun–Aug for fishing and road trips; late Aug–Mar for northern lights.
- AugustGreatInside Hay River's best window: Jun–Aug for fishing and road trips; late Aug–Mar for northern lights.
- SeptemberGreatInside Hay River's best window: Jun–Aug for fishing and road trips; late Aug–Mar for northern lights.
Weather in May
- Hay RiverHighs around 12 °C (54 °F), lows around 1 °C (34 °F), rain on about 6 daysHighs around 54 °F (12 °C), lows around 34 °F (1 °C), rain on about 6 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 Hay River, side by side.
Verdict
May: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 12 °C (54 °F)54 °F (12 °C)
Jan: -18 °C (0 °F)0 °F (-18 °C)
Night low
May: 1 °C (34 °F)34 °F (1 °C)
Jan: -27 °C (−17 °F)−17 °F (-27 °C)
Rain days
May: 6 (better)
Jan: 8
Crowds
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 0
May: Outside the best window (Jun–Aug for fishing and road trips; late Aug–Mar for northern lights). Across Canada: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
January: Inside Hay River's best window: Jun–Aug for fishing and road trips; late Aug–Mar for northern lights.
Hay River: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings