The Alabama Office of the State Climatologist provides monthly climate reports that analyze statewide temperature, precipitation, and drought trends. Each report also highlights how that's month’s climate compared to long-term historical normals. A summary of every monthly report is featured on this page, with options to view the full report in PDF format or explore the complete climate report archive.

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Alabama Climate Report: May, 2026

Brought to you by the Alabama Office of the State Climatologist

Figure 1. May 2026 precipitation totals and trends across Alabama.

May was wetter than normal across much of Alabama, helping improve drought conditions and making it the state's 10th wettest May on record. Data Source: NCEP Stage IV Quantitative Precipitation Estimates.

Precipitation Summary (Figure 1)

The warm and dry pattern that had persisted since last fall finally broke during May. Statewide precipitation totaled 7.48 inches, which was 3.24 inches above normal and ranked as the 10th wettest May on record. Most of Alabama received above-normal rainfall, though a few localized areas finished the month below normal. The widespread rainfall provided much-needed relief to drought-stricken areas and helped improve soil moisture, streamflows, and water supplies across much of the state.

Precipitation Highlights

  • Driest site: Oneonta – 2.43 inches of rainfall
  • Wettest site: Wilmer 7.9 SE – 24.69 inches of rainfall
  • Highest Daily Rainfall Total: Wilmer 7.9 SE – 8.01 inches on May 23rd
  • 10th wettest May on record statewide
Figure 2. Precipitation Percent of Normal for May 2026.

Most of Alabama received above-normal rainfall during May, particularly across Central and South Alabama where many locations received 150% to 300% of normal precipitation. Data Source: PRISM Climate Group.

Precipitation Percent of Normal (Figure 2)

  • Most of Alabama received above-normal rainfall during May.
  • Large portions of Central and South Alabama received 150–300% of normal precipitation.
  • Some locations in Southwest Alabama received more than 300% of normal rainfall.
  • A few isolated areas across North Alabama finished the month near or slightly below normal.
Figure 3. Temperature totals and trends across Alabama for May 2026.

May temperatures were near normal statewide, with cooler conditions early in the month followed by warmer weather later in May. Data provided by PRISM Climate Data, station data, and National Centers for Environmental Information.

Temperature Summary (Figure 3)

Statewide temperatures averaged 70.3°F during May, which was 0.4°F below normal and ranked as the 59th coldest May on record. Temperatures were generally below normal through the middle of the month before shifting warmer during the second half of May. Overall, the month finished near normal despite these swings between cooler and warmer periods.

Temperature Highlights

  • Hottest site: Open Pond – 95°F on May 19th
  • Coldest sites: Valley Head and Liri – 36°F on May 3rd and 4th 
  • 59th coldest May on record statewide

 

Figure 4. May 2026 drought conditions.

U.S. Drought Monitor maps showing improvements in drought conditions across Alabama during May 2026 as widespread rainfall reduced drought severity statewide. Data Source: U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought Summary (Figure 4)

Drought conditions improved dramatically across Alabama during May as repeated rounds of rainfall brought widespread relief to areas affected by drought. At the beginning of the month, 100% of the state was experiencing moderate to extreme drought. By the beginning of June, that number had fallen to 41%, but nearly half of the state was still abnormally dry. The most significant improvements occurred across Central, South, and Southeast Alabama, where some areas improved by two or more drought categories during the month.


Spring 2026 Recap

Spring 2026 was warmer and slightly drier than normal across Alabama. The statewide average temperature was 66.5°F, which was 3.6°F above normal and ranked as the 3rd warmest spring on record. Statewide precipitation totaled 14.52 inches, which was 0.69 inches below normal. While drought conditions expanded during March and April, an exceptionally wet May helped reverse many of those impacts and led to significant drought improvement by the start of June.

Figure 5. Spring 2026 ranked as Alabama's 3rd warmest spring on record, with temperatures averaging 3.6°F above normal statewide.
Figure 6. Spring 2026 precipitation was slightly below normal statewide, though rainfall varied considerably across Alabama.
Figure 7. Spring 2026 precipitation percent of normal across Alabama, showing generally near- to above-normal rainfall with the wettest conditions in West and South Alabama.

 

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If you have any questions, please contact aosc@uah.edu.