May weather forecast
Opelousas, LA

May is when summer starts to make its presence felt in full force in Opelousas, Louisiana. The month is epitomized by longer daylight hours and an escalation in warmth, prompting locals to pack away their spring wardrobes in favor of lighter, airier clothing options. The month, characterized by long sunny days, experiences an average high temperature of 84.6°F (29.2°C), one of the highest in the first half of the year. As May bows out and June steps in, temperatures continue their rise, giving the city's residents a hint of the intense summer heat that's just around the corner.

Temperature

A subtle rise in the average high-temperature is observed in Opelousas during May, adjusting from 77.5°F (25.3°C) in April to a still warm 84.6°F (29.2°C). Opelousas experiences an average low-temperature of 65.8°F (18.8°C) in the month of May.

Heat index

For May, the heat index is computed to be a very hot 95°F (35°C). Exercise heightened safety, heat cramps and heat exhaustion are probable. Persistent activity may provoke heatstroke.
Regarding the heat index, one should be aware it's determined by shaded settings and mild winds. The heat index could experience an increase of 15 Fahrenheit (8 Celsius) degrees due to direct sunlight.
Note: The heat index, also known as 'feels like' or 'felt air temperature', is the outcome of merging air's temperature and its humidity metrics. A person's impression of weather can be shaped by several aspects, among them metabolic variations, pregnancy, and levels of physical activity. Recognize that direct exposure to the sun can escalate the heat effect, potentially adding 15 Fahrenheit (8 Celsius) degrees to the heat index. Heat index values are primarily vital for children. Kids are usually more vulnerable than adults, given their lesser sweating ability. Along with their larger skin surface relative to their small stature and the excess heat due to their activity, their risk is amplified.
When temperatures rise, the human body turns to perspiration, using the cooling power of evaporating sweat. An upsurge in relative humidity affects normal body cooling mechanisms by slowing evaporation, hence reducing the rate at which the body cools and intensifying the perception of heat. If heat absorption isn't effectively countered by the body's cooling methods, body temperature surges, hinting at potential problems.

Humidity

The average relative humidity in May in Opelousas is 77%.

Rainfall

In Opelousas, during May, the rain falls for 10.1 days and regularly aggregates up to 0.94" (24mm) of precipitation. In Opelousas, during the entire year, the rain falls for 127.3 days and collects up to 11.65" (296mm) of precipitation.

Snowfall

In Opelousas, snow does not fall in February through November.

Daylight

The average length of the day in May is 13h and 43min.
On the first day of the month, sunrise is at 6:23 am and sunset at 7:46 pm. On the last day of May, sunrise is at 6:06 am and sunset at 8:05 pm CDT.

Sunshine

In May, the average sunshine is 9.7h.

UV index

The average daily maximum UV index in May in Opelousas is 6. A UV Index of 6 to 7 symbolizes a high health vulnerability from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation for ordinary individuals.
Note: A typical high UV index of 6 in May suggests the following recommendations:
Avoid excessive sunlight. Those with lighter skin may experience burning in less than 20 minutes. Be aware that the sun's UV radiation is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and try to reduce direct sun exposure during this period as much as possible. Experience reduced UV exposure by about half when donning a wide-brim hat.