When to go · Nelson
Nelson in May
Good month. Outside the best window (Jun–Sep for lake and hiking; Jan–Mar for skiing). Across Canada: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 20°C (69°F)69°F (20°C) / 5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 12
- Crowds
- Medium
- Canada overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Canada overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Jun–Sep for lake and hiking; Jan–Mar for skiing). 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 Nelson's best window: Jun–Sep for lake and hiking; Jan–Mar for skiing.
- JulyGreatInside Nelson's best window: Jun–Sep for lake and hiking; Jan–Mar for skiing.
- AugustGreatInside Nelson's best window: Jun–Sep for lake and hiking; Jan–Mar for skiing.
- SeptemberGreatInside Nelson's best window: Jun–Sep for lake and hiking; Jan–Mar for skiing.
Weather in May
- NelsonHighs around 20.4 °C (69 °F), lows around 4.9 °C (41 °F), rain on about 12 daysHighs around 69 °F (20.4 °C), lows around 41 °F (4.9 °C), rain on about 12 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 Nelson, side by side.
Verdict
May: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 20.4 °C (69 °F)69 °F (20.4 °C)
Jan: -0.2 °C (32 °F)32 °F (-0.2 °C)
Night low
May: 4.9 °C (41 °F)41 °F (4.9 °C)
Jan: -7.1 °C (19 °F)19 °F (-7.1 °C)
Rain days
May: 12 (better)
Jan: 14
Crowds
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 0
May: Outside the best window (Jun–Sep for lake and hiking; Jan–Mar for skiing). Across Canada: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
January: Inside Nelson's best window: Jun–Sep for lake and hiking; Jan–Mar for skiing.
Nelson: 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