Insider Blog: May 2026 Weather Recap
May was an overall warm month with more days ABOVE normal. It was also a very dry month with no rain. Take a look at our weather recap and stats for the month of May.
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - It was a warm month overall for the month of May. The warmest day recorded for May was 109 degrees on Monday, May 11th. Also, a record warm low was set on May 12th reaching 79-degrees.
Pretty much the entire month, we had more days above-normal than we did below or average. But we did have some days where we were cooler than normal. Take a look.
It's been an overall dry month and we had no days this month where Yuma received measurable rain.
For the month of May we accumulated 0.00", and our average for May is 0.06", which leaves us below -0.06" for the month.
Now, this month isn't ranked the wettest, but it's ranked 149 in terms of being the driest. The wettest recorded for May is 0.9" in 1912.
Now, let's look at where Yuma stands with our yearly rain total. Since the start of the year, so far for 2026, Yuma has accumulated a 0.03", which is a very small amount, but it is something.
Comparing it with our 2026 yearly average, we actually should be at 1.35", which is well-below-normal.
However, with what Yuma has accumulated so far for 2026 and comparing it to our total around this same time back in 2025, we were actually at 0.07" in 2025. We are also behind for the year.
Monsoon season is right around the corner, so let's hope it will be a wet season, so we can catch up to our yearly rain total for the year.
However, with the lack of rain and warm weather we had this month, it actually brought changes to our drought conditions.
Now, Yuma and La Paz Counties are having 100% dry drought conditions, and even a small chunk is under the moderate category. Just this month, Yuma County also started to see severe drought at the tip of the county toward the east.
Even Imperial County is seeing dry drought conditions as well.
You can also check our drought conditions weekly for both Arizona and California.
May 2026 Climate Summary: May this year came in warmer than normal, but was outside the top 10 hottest Mays on record. It was also tied as the driest May on record, but it is not uncommon to receive no rain in May.
Overall, both Yuma and El Centro had above-normal temperatures and below-average rainfall for May.
You can also read more about Yuma and El Centro 2026 May Climate Stats Data Report for the month from the NWS Phoenix.
Spring 2026 Climate Summary: This Spring was the hottest Spring on record across the region, largely driven by the historic March heat. It was also a very dry Spring across the area.
