May Pen weather in May
In May, May Pen sees average daytime highs of 30°C and overnight lows near 23°C, with 132 mm of rain across 18.5 wet days and about 12.8 hours of daylight. It is the 5th-warmest and 3rd-wettest month of the year here.
Day-to-day highs hold fairly steady near 30°C through the month. The sky is clear or mostly clear about 25% of the time in May, and the air most often feels oppressive.
Daylight stretches from about 12 h 36 min at the start of May to 13 hours by month's end. Set against the rest of the year, May is May Pen's 8th-clearest and 6th-windiest month. For the whole year in context, see May Pen's year-round climate.
- Daytime high
- 30°
- 5th warmest
- Overnight low
- 23°
- 7th coldest
- Rainfall
- 132 mm
- 18.5 wet days
- Daylight
- 12 h 48 min
- 5:40 AM – 6:30 PM
- Cloud cover
- 60%
- 8th clearest
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- 6th windiest
- Solar energy
- 6.18 kWh/m²
- Travel score
- 4.1
- out of 10
May Pen is city in Middlesex, Jamaica.
- Founded
- 1660
Air quality: WHO Ambient Air Quality Database. Density & description: Wikidata (CC0), GeoNames.
Temperature in May
Day-to-day highs hold fairly steady near 30°C through the month.
A typical May day in May Pen reaches about 30°C in the afternoon and slips back to 23°C overnight — a 7°C spread between the day's warmth and the night's chill. On most days the high lands between 28°C and 32°C. Set against its neighbours, May runs on par with April and on par with June.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high (°C) | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Avg low (°C) | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
| Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 | 22 |
| 2 | 30 | 22 |
| 3 | 30 | 22 |
| 4 | 30 | 22 |
| 5 | 30 | 22 |
| 6 | 30 | 22 |
| 7 | 30 | 22 |
| 8 | 30 | 22 |
| 9 | 30 | 22 |
| 10 | 30 | 22 |
| 11 | 30 | 23 |
| 12 | 30 | 23 |
| 13 | 30 | 23 |
| 14 | 30 | 23 |
| 15 | 30 | 23 |
| 16 | 30 | 23 |
| 17 | 30 | 23 |
| 18 | 30 | 23 |
| 19 | 30 | 23 |
| 20 | 30 | 23 |
| 21 | 30 | 23 |
| 22 | 30 | 23 |
| 23 | 30 | 23 |
| 24 | 30 | 23 |
| 25 | 30 | 23 |
| 26 | 30 | 23 |
| 27 | 30 | 23 |
| 28 | 30 | 23 |
| 29 | 30 | 23 |
| 30 | 30 | 23 |
| 31 | 30 | 23 |
How May really feels in May Pen
Once humidity and wind are folded in, May averages 31 days that feel above 32°C and 0 that feel at or below 0°C — the comfort signal a plain temperature reading hides.
The story in May is heat — humidity pushes the afternoon "feels like" well above the raw temperature.
May Pen weather by month
How May compares with the rest of the year at a glance. May is the 5th-warmest and 3rd-wettest month here — the current month is highlighted below.
| Month | High / Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) | Wet days | Daylight (hours) | Travel score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28° / 21° | 19 | 6.5 | 11 | 6.7 |
| Feb | 28° / 20° | 22 | 6.7 | 11.4 | 6.5 |
| Mar | 29° / 21° | 38 | 8.9 | 11.9 | 6.0 |
| Apr | 30° / 22° | 61 | 11.9 | 12.4 | 5.1 |
| May | 30° / 23° | 132 | 18.5 | 12.8 | 4.1 |
| Jun | 31° / 23° | 75 | 14.3 | 13.1 | 4.1 |
| Jul | 32° / 24° | 62 | 13.2 | 13 | 3.9 |
| Aug | 32° / 24° | 98 | 18.1 | 12.6 | 3.4 |
| Sep | 31° / 23° | 144 | 21.5 | 12.1 | 3.2 |
| Oct | 30° / 23° | 139 | 23.4 | 11.6 | 3.6 |
| Nov | 29° / 22° | 70 | 13.9 | 11.2 | 4.9 |
| Dec | 29° / 21° | 33 | 7.8 | 10.9 | 6.3 |
Cloud cover in May
The sky is clear or mostly clear about 25% of the time in May.
Beyond those clear spells, partly cloudy skies cover about 27% of May, with mostly cloudy or overcast conditions the remaining 48%. Skies tend to cloud over as the month goes on.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearer (%) | 71 | 70 | 69 | 68 | 67 | 66 | 65 | 63 | 62 | 60 | 59 | 56 | 54 | 52 | 51 | 49 | 49 | 46 | 45 | 44 | 42 | 41 | 41 | 40 | 39 | 39 | 39 | 39 | 39 | 39 | 38 |
| Cloudier (%) | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 37 | 38 | 40 | 41 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 49 | 51 | 51 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 58 | 59 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 61 | 61 | 61 | 61 | 61 | 62 |
| Clearer (%) | Cloudier (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 71 | 29 |
| 2 | 70 | 30 |
| 3 | 69 | 31 |
| 4 | 68 | 32 |
| 5 | 67 | 33 |
| 6 | 66 | 34 |
| 7 | 65 | 35 |
| 8 | 63 | 37 |
| 9 | 62 | 38 |
| 10 | 60 | 40 |
| 11 | 59 | 41 |
| 12 | 56 | 44 |
| 13 | 54 | 46 |
| 14 | 52 | 48 |
| 15 | 51 | 49 |
| 16 | 49 | 51 |
| 17 | 49 | 51 |
| 18 | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | 45 | 55 |
| 20 | 44 | 56 |
| 21 | 42 | 58 |
| 22 | 41 | 59 |
| 23 | 41 | 59 |
| 24 | 40 | 60 |
| 25 | 39 | 61 |
| 26 | 39 | 61 |
| 27 | 39 | 61 |
| 28 | 39 | 61 |
| 29 | 39 | 61 |
| 30 | 39 | 61 |
| 31 | 38 | 62 |
Chance of precipitation in May
May Pen gets around 132 mm of rain over 18.5 wet days in May. The line is the day-by-day chance of measurable precipitation.
Day to day, the chance of measurable rain averages around 58% and peaks near 63% on the wettest days. The odds climb toward the end of the month.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain chance (%) | 51 | 52 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 54 | 55 | 55 | 56 | 56 | 57 | 57 | 58 | 58 | 59 | 59 | 60 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 62 | 62 | 63 | 63 | 62 | 62 | 62 | 61 | 60 | 59 | 58 |
| Rain chance (%) | |
|---|---|
| 1 | 51 |
| 2 | 52 |
| 3 | 52 |
| 4 | 53 |
| 5 | 54 |
| 6 | 54 |
| 7 | 55 |
| 8 | 55 |
| 9 | 56 |
| 10 | 56 |
| 11 | 57 |
| 12 | 57 |
| 13 | 58 |
| 14 | 58 |
| 15 | 59 |
| 16 | 59 |
| 17 | 60 |
| 18 | 60 |
| 19 | 61 |
| 20 | 62 |
| 21 | 62 |
| 22 | 62 |
| 23 | 63 |
| 24 | 63 |
| 25 | 62 |
| 26 | 62 |
| 27 | 62 |
| 28 | 61 |
| 29 | 60 |
| 30 | 59 |
| 31 | 58 |
Humidity in May
Most of May feels oppressive — the stacked bands show each day's mix of comfort levels, read off the dew point.
By dew point, May lands in the oppressive band about 65% of days. Sticky, muggy-or-worse air turns up on roughly 99% of them.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humid (%) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Muggy (%) | 54 | 52 | 51 | 50 | 49 | 48 | 47 | 46 | 45 | 43 | 42 | 40 | 39 | 37 | 35 | 33 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Oppressive (%) | 43 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 55 | 55 | 57 | 58 | 60 | 63 | 65 | 67 | 69 | 71 | 73 | 74 | 76 | 77 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 82 | 83 | 83 | 83 |
| Miserable (%) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Humid (%) | Muggy (%) | Oppressive (%) | Miserable (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 54 | 43 | 0 |
| 2 | 3 | 52 | 45 | 0 |
| 3 | 3 | 51 | 46 | 0 |
| 4 | 3 | 50 | 47 | 0 |
| 5 | 3 | 49 | 48 | 0 |
| 6 | 2 | 48 | 49 | 0 |
| 7 | 2 | 47 | 51 | 0 |
| 8 | 2 | 46 | 52 | 0 |
| 9 | 2 | 45 | 53 | 0 |
| 10 | 2 | 43 | 55 | 0 |
| 11 | 2 | 42 | 55 | 1 |
| 12 | 2 | 40 | 57 | 1 |
| 13 | 2 | 39 | 58 | 1 |
| 14 | 2 | 37 | 60 | 1 |
| 15 | 1 | 35 | 63 | 1 |
| 16 | 1 | 33 | 65 | 1 |
| 17 | 1 | 31 | 67 | 1 |
| 18 | 1 | 29 | 69 | 1 |
| 19 | 1 | 27 | 71 | 1 |
| 20 | 1 | 25 | 73 | 1 |
| 21 | 1 | 24 | 74 | 1 |
| 22 | 1 | 22 | 76 | 1 |
| 23 | 1 | 21 | 77 | 1 |
| 24 | 0 | 20 | 79 | 1 |
| 25 | 0 | 19 | 80 | 1 |
| 26 | 0 | 18 | 81 | 1 |
| 27 | 0 | 17 | 82 | 1 |
| 28 | 0 | 17 | 82 | 1 |
| 29 | 0 | 16 | 83 | 1 |
| 30 | 0 | 16 | 83 | 1 |
| 31 | 0 | 16 | 83 | 1 |
Wind in May
Winds average 9 km/h in May.
Across May, daily wind ranges from about 8 km/h on the calmest days to 10 km/h at its breeziest. It stays fairly steady from day to day.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind speed (km/h) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| Feels | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm |
| Wind speed (km/h) | Feels | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | calm |
| 2 | 8 | calm |
| 3 | 8 | calm |
| 4 | 8 | calm |
| 5 | 8 | calm |
| 6 | 8 | calm |
| 7 | 8 | calm |
| 8 | 8 | calm |
| 9 | 8 | calm |
| 10 | 8 | calm |
| 11 | 8 | calm |
| 12 | 8 | calm |
| 13 | 8 | calm |
| 14 | 8 | calm |
| 15 | 9 | calm |
| 16 | 9 | calm |
| 17 | 9 | calm |
| 18 | 9 | calm |
| 19 | 9 | calm |
| 20 | 9 | calm |
| 21 | 9 | calm |
| 22 | 9 | calm |
| 23 | 9 | calm |
| 24 | 9 | calm |
| 25 | 9 | calm |
| 26 | 9 | calm |
| 27 | 9 | calm |
| 28 | 9 | calm |
| 29 | 9 | calm |
| 30 | 10 | calm |
| 31 | 10 | calm |
Sunrise & sunset in May
Daylight runs from about 12 h 36 min at the start of May to 13 hours by month's end. The lit band spans sunrise to sunset each day.
Days grow by about 24 minutes over May. Sunrise moves from 5:47 AM to 5:37 AM, and sunset from 6:25 PM to 6:36 PM.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 12.6 | 12.7 | 12.7 | 12.7 | 12.7 | 12.7 | 12.7 | 12.7 | 12.8 | 12.8 | 12.8 | 12.8 | 12.8 | 12.8 | 12.8 | 12.8 | 12.9 | 12.9 | 12.9 | 12.9 | 12.9 | 12.9 | 12.9 | 12.9 | 12.9 | 12.9 | 13.0 | 13.0 | 13.0 | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Sunrise (AM) | 5:47 | 5:46 | 5:46 | 5:45 | 5:45 | 5:44 | 5:44 | 5:43 | 5:43 | 5:42 | 5:42 | 5:41 | 5:41 | 5:41 | 5:40 | 5:40 | 5:40 | 5:39 | 5:39 | 5:39 | 5:38 | 5:38 | 5:38 | 5:38 | 5:38 | 5:37 | 5:37 | 5:37 | 5:37 | 5:37 | 5:37 |
| Sunset (PM) | 6:25 | 6:26 | 6:26 | 6:26 | 6:27 | 6:27 | 6:27 | 6:28 | 6:28 | 6:28 | 6:29 | 6:29 | 6:29 | 6:30 | 6:30 | 6:30 | 6:31 | 6:31 | 6:32 | 6:32 | 6:32 | 6:33 | 6:33 | 6:33 | 6:34 | 6:34 | 6:35 | 6:35 | 6:35 | 6:36 | 6:36 |
| Daylight (h) | Sunrise (AM) | Sunset (PM) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12.6 | 5:47 | 6:25 |
| 2 | 12.7 | 5:46 | 6:26 |
| 3 | 12.7 | 5:46 | 6:26 |
| 4 | 12.7 | 5:45 | 6:26 |
| 5 | 12.7 | 5:45 | 6:27 |
| 6 | 12.7 | 5:44 | 6:27 |
| 7 | 12.7 | 5:44 | 6:27 |
| 8 | 12.7 | 5:43 | 6:28 |
| 9 | 12.8 | 5:43 | 6:28 |
| 10 | 12.8 | 5:42 | 6:28 |
| 11 | 12.8 | 5:42 | 6:29 |
| 12 | 12.8 | 5:41 | 6:29 |
| 13 | 12.8 | 5:41 | 6:29 |
| 14 | 12.8 | 5:41 | 6:30 |
| 15 | 12.8 | 5:40 | 6:30 |
| 16 | 12.8 | 5:40 | 6:30 |
| 17 | 12.9 | 5:40 | 6:31 |
| 18 | 12.9 | 5:39 | 6:31 |
| 19 | 12.9 | 5:39 | 6:32 |
| 20 | 12.9 | 5:39 | 6:32 |
| 21 | 12.9 | 5:38 | 6:32 |
| 22 | 12.9 | 5:38 | 6:33 |
| 23 | 12.9 | 5:38 | 6:33 |
| 24 | 12.9 | 5:38 | 6:33 |
| 25 | 12.9 | 5:38 | 6:34 |
| 26 | 12.9 | 5:37 | 6:34 |
| 27 | 13.0 | 5:37 | 6:35 |
| 28 | 13.0 | 5:37 | 6:35 |
| 29 | 13.0 | 5:37 | 6:35 |
| 30 | 13.0 | 5:37 | 6:36 |
| 31 | 13.0 | 5:37 | 6:36 |
Solar energy in May
Average shortwave solar energy reaching the ground each day in May, about 6.18 kWh/m².
For context, solar energy here swings from a low near 4.35 kWh/m² to a high of 6.66 kWh/m² in July across the year — May's 6.18 kWh/m² falls in the middle.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar energy (kWh/m²) | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.1 | 6.1 | 6.1 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 6.1 |
| Level | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense |
| Solar energy (kWh/m²) | Level | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6.5 | Intense |
| 2 | 6.5 | Intense |
| 3 | 6.4 | Intense |
| 4 | 6.4 | Intense |
| 5 | 6.4 | Intense |
| 6 | 6.4 | Intense |
| 7 | 6.4 | Intense |
| 8 | 6.4 | Intense |
| 9 | 6.3 | Intense |
| 10 | 6.3 | Intense |
| 11 | 6.3 | Intense |
| 12 | 6.3 | Intense |
| 13 | 6.2 | Intense |
| 14 | 6.2 | Intense |
| 15 | 6.2 | Intense |
| 16 | 6.1 | Intense |
| 17 | 6.1 | Intense |
| 18 | 6.1 | Intense |
| 19 | 6.0 | Intense |
| 20 | 6.0 | Intense |
| 21 | 6.0 | Intense |
| 22 | 6.0 | Intense |
| 23 | 6.0 | Intense |
| 24 | 6.0 | Intense |
| 25 | 6.0 | Intense |
| 26 | 6.0 | Intense |
| 27 | 6.0 | Intense |
| 28 | 6.0 | Intense |
| 29 | 6.0 | Intense |
| 30 | 6.1 | Intense |
| 31 | 6.1 | Intense |
Hazard calendar for May Pen
In May, May Pen sits inside its rainy season season. The full year is below, with each hazard's peak months called out.
May Pen sits in the Atlantic hurricane belt; the season peaks August–October.
May Pen's rainy season runs August–November, when most of the year's rain falls.
Is May a good time to visit May Pen?
Our two travel scores rate May for general sightseeing and for beach or pool weather — 0 (poor) to 10 (ideal).
May is a reasonable time to visit May Pen for sightseeing.
What to pack for May Pen in May
From May's temperature range, rain chance, sun and wind — what's worth putting in the bag.
In May, May Pen sees daytime highs around 30°C and nights near 23°C. Pack light clothes, rain gear and sun protection. About 19 days see rain.
Sea temperature near May Pen in May
The nearest coast averages about 28°C in May — the other half of the beach question. The full-year curve and swim-comfort zones are below.
The sea at the nearest coast (about 16 km away) is warmest in September at about 29°C and coldest in February near 27°C.
The water stays above 20°C all year — warm enough for a swim any month.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea temperature (°C) | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
| Comfort | Warm | Warm | Warm | Warm | Tropical | Tropical | Tropical | Tropical | Tropical | Tropical | Tropical | Tropical |
| Sea temperature (°C) | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27 | Warm |
| Feb | 27 | Warm |
| Mar | 27 | Warm |
| Apr | 28 | Warm |
| May | 28 | Tropical |
| Jun | 28 | Tropical |
| Jul | 29 | Tropical |
| Aug | 29 | Tropical |
| Sep | 29 | Tropical |
| Oct | 29 | Tropical |
| Nov | 29 | Tropical |
| Dec | 28 | Tropical |
UV index in May Pen in May
Clear-sky midday UV in May peaks around 12 (very high — sun protection essential). The full-year curve, shaded by WHO exposure level, is below.
Under clear skies, the midday UV index in May Pen peaks around April 21 at about 12 (extreme) — sunscreen, a hat and midday shade are essential. It bottoms out near December 16 at about 7 (very high).
The index reaches 3 or more — the level where the WHO recommends sun protection — every month of the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UV index (midday) | 8 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 7 |
| Level | Very high | Extreme | Extreme | Extreme | Extreme | Extreme | Extreme | Extreme | Extreme | Extreme | Very high | Very high |
| UV index (midday) | Level | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8 | Very high |
| Feb | 11 | Extreme |
| Mar | 12 | Extreme |
| Apr | 13 | Extreme |
| May | 12 | Extreme |
| Jun | 12 | Extreme |
| Jul | 11 | Extreme |
| Aug | 12 | Extreme |
| Sep | 12 | Extreme |
| Oct | 11 | Extreme |
| Nov | 8 | Very high |
| Dec | 7 | Very high |
Air quality in May Pen in May
Average fine-particle pollution (PM2.5) through the year — so you can see where May falls, not just the annual average.
Air quality in May Pen is worst in June — around 35 µg/m³ PM2.5 (poor), about 2.1× the cleanest month (January, 17 µg/m³).
Modeled monthly averages (CAMS reanalysis, 2015–2024).
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 (µg/m³) | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 24 | 35 | 34 | 29 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 17 |
| Level | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Poor | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| PM2.5 (µg/m³) | Level | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17 | Moderate |
| Feb | 17 | Moderate |
| Mar | 18 | Moderate |
| Apr | 18 | Moderate |
| May | 24 | Moderate |
| Jun | 35 | Poor |
| Jul | 34 | Moderate |
| Aug | 29 | Moderate |
| Sep | 23 | Moderate |
| Oct | 24 | Moderate |
| Nov | 20 | Moderate |
| Dec | 17 | Moderate |
Where is May Pen?
May Pen sits at 18.0°N, 77.2°W, 81 m above sea level, in Jamaica. The nearest listed city is Old Harbour, 15 km away.
Topography around May Pen
How much the land rises and falls, and what covers it, within 3, 16 and 80 km of May Pen.
Within 3 km, the terrain around May Pen has only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 100 m around an average of 74 m above sea level; within 16 km, large variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 734 m; within 80 km, very significant variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 2,229 m.
The land around May Pen is covered by trees (54%) and artificial surfaces (26%) within 3 km, trees (68%) and grassland (23%) within 16 km, and water (51%) and trees (40%) within 80 km.
Jamaica travel facts
- Travel advisory
- Level 2
- Exercise Increased Caution
- Power plugs
- Type A / B
- 110 V · 50 Hz
- Prices
- ≈ 60% of US
- price level, 2025
- GDP per capita
- $8,003
- 2025
- Happiness
- 6.3 / 10
- World Happiness, 2025
- Homicide rate
- 49.4
- per 100k, 2023
- Road deaths
- 15.1
- per 100k/yr, 2019
- Income group
- Upper middle
- World Bank
- Religion
Sources: World Bank, US State Department, World Happiness Report, WHO/UNICEF, EF EPI, CIA World Factbook.
Data sources
Temperature, precipitation, cloud, humidity, wind and solar figures are a 1991–2020 climatology for May Pen (17.9645°, -77.2451°, elevation 81 m), computed from hourly ERA5 reanalysis — contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Sun figures are astronomical calculations, not observations. City data © GeoNames, CC BY 4.0. Map outlines from Natural Earth (public domain); interactive map © Google. Tropical-cyclone seasons are the published climatological basin seasons (NOAA National Hurricane Center / regional warning centres). Sea temperatures are the NOAA OISST v2.1 1991–2020 monthly climatology (public domain), sampled at the nearest ocean point. UV index is derived from CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) clear-sky UV data — contains modified Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information. Monthly air-quality (PM2.5) seasonality is from the CAMS EAC4 reanalysis (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service), scaled to the WHO annual mean where available. Topography is sampled from the Copernicus DEM GLO-90 elevation model (© ESA/Airbus) and ESA WorldCover 2021 land cover (CC BY 4.0).