ERA5 almanac comparison — 8 years of real data
Outer Banks vs Tulum: weather in May
Essentially a tie in May: Outer Banks is 16% clear historically, Tulum is 16% clear (8-year ERA5 average) — within the noise. Avg high 70°F vs 87°F. Tulum also sees measurably more rain than Outer Banks this month (51% vs 35% of days). Pick based on flight time or price, not weather — the weather won't decide this one for you.
Outer Banks
NC
- Clear days, May
- 16%
- Sample size
- n=248 days
- Avg high
- 70°F
- Early May (1st–15th)
- 5%
- Late May (16th–end)
- 27%
- Rain frequency
- 35% of days
Tulum
Mexico
- Clear days, May
- 16%
- Sample size
- n=248 days
- Avg high
- 87°F
- Early May (1st–15th)
- 24%
- Late May (16th–end)
- 9%
- Rain frequency
- 51% of days
Frequently asked
Is Outer Banks or Tulum warmer in May?
Tulum runs warmer by day in May. Outer Banks averages highs of 70°F (highs n=248 days); Tulum averages highs of 87°F (highs n=248 days) (ERA5 2018–2025). Historical averages, not a forecast.
Does it rain more in Outer Banks or Tulum in May?
Tulum is measurably wetter than Outer Banks. Days with measurable rain: Outer Banks 35%, Tulum 51% (n=248 and n=248 days). ERA5 2018–2025; historical, not a forecast.
Which is sunnier in May, Outer Banks or Tulum?
Essentially a tie in May: Outer Banks is 16% clear historically, Tulum is 16% clear (8-year ERA5 average) — within the noise. Avg high 70°F vs 87°F. Tulum also sees measurably more rain than Outer Banks this month (51% vs 35% of days). Pick based on flight time or price, not weather — the weather won't decide this one for you.
Compare Outer Banks vs Tulum in another month
All percentages are historical averages from the ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 8 full years (2018–2025). “Clear” means avg high ≥ 72 °F, precipitation < 1 mm, and a non-precipitation weather code. This is history, not a forecast. The live forecast for any destination is on its own page and may differ from the long-run average. Data from Open-Meteo.