Spring in Bethlehem shakes off winter’s chill and eases in before the summer heat takes over. Temperatures rise, days stretch out, and cloud cover steadily thins as the weeks go by.
Average daily highs start in the upper 50s °F in March and reach around 80°F by May. Honestly, spring might be the most comfortable time to visit the city.
Rain can still show up early in the season, but by April and May, it’s pretty rare. This change brings mild warmth and those refreshing breezes, with skies that seem to get clearer every week.
Cool mornings and warm afternoons invite you to wander Bethlehem’s historic streets or explore the hills nearby. It’s a great time to be outside.
With daylight stretching past 12 hours and the sun shining more often, you’ll have plenty of time for outdoor plans. The combination of mild temperatures, manageable rainfall, and bright skies makes spring both practical and genuinely enjoyable for travel.
Overview of Spring Weather in Bethlehem
Spring in Bethlehem marks a real shift from the cold, wet winters to the dry, hot summers. Temperatures rise quickly, and the landscape dries out as rain fades away.
It’s a transitional time that feels nothing like winter or summer.
Typical Spring Climate Conditions
During spring, you’ll get mild to warm days. Highs move from the mid-60s °F (about 18°C) in March to the upper 70s °F (around 25°C) by May.
Nights stay cool, often in the upper 40s °F (about 9°C) early on, then warm into the mid-50s °F (12–13°C) as spring goes on.
Rain becomes less common as weeks pass. March might still bring a few rainy days, but by May, precipitation is light.
This drop in rain signals that long, dry summer is just around the corner.
Humidity stays moderate, and skies are often partly cloudy in early spring. By late spring, you’ll notice a lot more sunshine and drier air.
These shifts make it easy to enjoy being outdoors without worrying about heat.
Spring Weather Patterns Compared to Other Seasons
Spring stands out from Bethlehem’s winter and summer. Winter brings cooler days with average highs in the 50s °F (10–15°C) and more rain.
Summer, on the other hand, is hot and dry, with highs often over 85°F (29°C) and barely any rain.
In spring, you get a sweet spot between these two extremes. Moderate warmth, fewer rainy days than winter, and less heat stress than summer.
It’s honestly one of the best times to explore the city and the hills.
Unlike autumn, which also gives you mild temperatures, spring pushes more obviously toward dryness and heat. The change feels sharper, hinting at the long, arid summer ahead.
Temperature Trends During Spring
Bethlehem warms up steadily through spring, with cool nights and mild to warm afternoons. Temperatures climb quickly, making it a comfortable window for outdoor activities before the real heat arrives.
Average High and Low Temperatures
In spring, average highs go from about 58°F (14°C) in early March to around 80°F (27°C) by late May.
Lows start near 44°F (7°C) and reach about 59°F (15°C) by the season’s end.
You’ll probably want a light jacket in March, but by May, short sleeves usually do the trick.
Extreme temperatures? Not really a thing here. Highs rarely top 90°F (32°C), and lows almost never dip below 37°F (3°C).
Spring just feels stable and predictable in Bethlehem.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| March | 58°F / 14°C | 44°F / 7°C |
| April | 70°F / 21°C | 52°F / 11°C |
| May | 80°F / 27°C | 59°F / 15°C |
Temperature Changes from March to May
Between March and May, temperatures rise noticeably. March afternoons feel cool or mild, and evenings can get pretty chilly.
By April, days warm into the low 70s°F (21–23°C), perfect for walking tours or grabbing a meal outdoors.
Late May brings highs near 80°F (26–27°C). Nights become milder too, rarely dropping below the upper 50s°F (14–15°C).
This quick warm-up happens as daylight stretches out by more than two hours. The longer days and stronger sun make late spring feel much warmer and drier than early spring.
Daytime Versus Nighttime Temperatures
There’s a clear difference between day and night temps in spring, but it’s not dramatic. Early in the season, the gap can be 15–20°F (8–11°C), so warm afternoons lead into cool evenings.
By May, nights warm up a bit and the difference isn’t as big. Still, you might want a light layer after sunset, especially in higher spots.
Daytime highs stay comfortable, and nights are cool enough for good sleep. Unlike summer, spring doesn’t bring hot or muggy nights, so evenings stay pleasant for sightseeing or just hanging out.
Precipitation and Rainfall Patterns
Spring brings moderate rain to Bethlehem, with most of it falling in March and April. By late spring, the rain almost disappears as the dry summer approaches.
Average Rainfall Amounts
Bethlehem gets a decent share of its annual rain during spring. March usually sees 40–50 mm of rain, April drops to about 20–30 mm, and May gets only 10–20 mm.
These amounts aren’t heavy if you compare them to winter, but it’s enough to keep things green for a while. Rain usually shows up as quick, scattered showers rather than all-day storms.
Spring really bridges the gap between the wet winter and dry summer.
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| March | 40–50 |
| April | 20–30 |
| May | 10–20 |
Rainy Days Frequency
Rainy days steadily drop off through spring. In March, you might get 6–8 rainy days. April usually brings 3–5 days with rain.
By May, it’s down to just 1–2 days.
Rain usually comes in short bursts, mostly light to moderate showers. Heavy downpours are rare, but they can still surprise you early in the season.
If you’re planning to be outdoors, you might want to keep an umbrella handy in March, but by May, you’ll barely need it.
Transition to Drier Conditions
By late spring, Bethlehem settles into its dry season. May already has very little rain, and June is almost bone dry.
You can see the difference, not just in the numbers, but in how fast the soil and plants dry out.
Humidity drops too as rain fades away. Early spring can bring 50–55% humidity, but by late May, it often falls closer to 40%.
If you’re traveling, keep this in mind. Early spring gives you mild weather with a bit of rain, while late spring is dry, sunny, and a clear preview of summer.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours in Spring
Spring in Bethlehem means longer days, clearer skies, and more sunshine than winter. You’ll notice daylight and sun exposure picking up from March through May.
Average Daily Sunshine
Sunshine hours increase as spring moves along and clouds clear out. Early in the season, you still get some cloudy days, but by late May, it’s mostly blue skies.
On average, expect 6 to 8 hours of sunshine each day. March is a bit gloomier, but April and May brighten up fast.
By the end of spring, skies are clear about 90% of the time. Outdoor plans are just easier.
Solar energy ramps up too. Shortwave solar radiation climbs from about 5.0 kWh/m² in March to 8.3 kWh/m² in May. You’ll definitely feel the sun’s strength, especially at midday.
Length of Daylight
Daylight hours grow quickly in spring. At the start of March, you get about 11 hours and 30 minutes of daylight.
By late May, days stretch to over 14 hours.
Daylight increases by roughly 1 minute and 40 seconds each day. That’s a noticeable change each week.
| Month | Approx. Daylight Hours |
|---|---|
| March | 11.5 – 12.5 hours |
| April | 12.5 – 13.5 hours |
| May | 13.5 – 14+ hours |
More daylight means more time for work, travel, or just enjoying the outdoors.
Variation in Sunrise and Sunset Times
Spring shifts sunrise and sunset times quite a bit. Early March brings sunrise around 6:15 AM and sunset near 5:40 PM.
By late May, the sun rises as early as 5:15 AM and sets about 7:40 PM.
You gain almost two extra hours of evening light by the end of spring. That’s a big deal if you like being outside after work or dinner.
Sunrise moves earlier by about an hour as spring rolls on. Combined with longer days, late spring just feels brighter and more open.
Humidity and Wind Conditions
Bethlehem’s spring brings moderate humidity and gentle winds. You’ll get a mix of dry days and the occasional bit of moisture, with breezes that shift as spring progresses.
Average Humidity Levels
Humidity usually lands in a comfortable mid-range—not too dry, not sticky. Average relative humidity is often between 55% and 65%, dipping lower in May as temperatures rise and rain fades.
Mornings can feel a bit more humid since cooler air hangs onto moisture. By midday, things dry out, especially on sunny days.
Rain in March and April can briefly spike humidity, but that doesn’t last long. By late spring, drier air takes over, which is pretty typical for this Mediterranean climate.
This gradual shift is a sure sign that summer’s coming.
Wind Speeds and Directions
Spring winds in Bethlehem are usually light to moderate, averaging 7 to 12 mph. These breezes make warmer days feel nicer and help keep humidity in check.
Strong winds aren’t common, but you might get the occasional gust when a weather system rolls through.
Most winds blow in from the west and northwest, bringing in cooler air from the Mediterranean. Sometimes, you’ll get brief easterly winds, which carry drier, warmer air from inland.
This shift is most obvious in late spring, as inland heat starts to build.
For visitors, these winds just make being outside more comfortable. The steady breezes also keep the air feeling fresh and clear.
Cloud Cover and Sky Conditions
In Bethlehem during spring, skies get noticeably clearer as the season moves forward. Early spring brings more cloudy days, but by late spring, you’ll usually see mostly sunny skies with just a slim chance of overcast weather.
Frequency of Clear and Cloudy Days
At the start of spring, you’ll notice that about 1 in 4 days is mostly cloudy or overcast. March mornings tend to bring more gray skies than you might expect.
By May, the skies clear up a lot. Around 9 out of 10 days are clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy. Late spring really feels like one of the sunniest stretches of the year in Bethlehem.
The cloudiest point in spring usually shows up near late April, when overcast skies reach about 25%. Even so, most days still manage to let some sunshine through.
If you’re planning a trip, this shift means you’ll want to pack for mixed conditions in March. By May, though, you can pretty much count on bright skies for anything outdoors.
Seasonal Changes in Cloudiness
Cloud cover drops steadily as spring moves along from March into May. The chance of an overcast day falls from 24% in early March to just 10% by the end of May.
This change happens as the region shifts from wetter winter weather to the dry, warm pattern of summer. Rainfall lets up during this time too, so skies clear out even more.
The clearest day of spring usually comes at the end of May, when skies are clear or mostly clear about 90% of the time. Late spring is a solid pick if you love sunshine and don’t want to deal with clouds.
By early summer, cloudy days are even harder to find. Still, spring already brings a reliable stretch of bright, dry weather.
Travel Tips for Spring Visits to Bethlehem
Spring in Bethlehem feels pretty comfortable, with mild temperatures and longer days. Humidity stays low, which is always a plus. Rainfall drops off quickly as the season goes on, so you can plan outdoor activities without worrying much about getting soaked.
Best Activities for Spring Weather
Spring in Bethlehem offers comfortable conditions for walking tours of the Old City. You can check out historic sites like the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square without summer’s heat or winter’s chill. Streets are quieter than during the big holiday seasons, so sightseeing feels more relaxed.
Day trips to places like Jerusalem or the Judean Hills get easier in spring. Average highs go from the upper 50s °F in March to around 80°F in May. Clearer skies mean better views of all those valleys and hillsides.
If you’re into outdoor spaces, this is the perfect time for local markets, open-air cafés, and short hikes in the countryside. The chance of rain drops from about 16% in early spring to nearly zero by late May, so you can get outside without much worry.
What to Pack for Spring in Bethlehem
Spring in Bethlehem can surprise you with its range of temperatures, especially in March. Evenings might get pretty cool, so you’ll want to toss a light jacket or sweater into your bag.
During the day, you’ll probably feel fine in short sleeves and breathable clothing. Trust me, layers are your friend here.
You’ll do a lot of walking, and the Old City’s streets can be narrow and uneven. I always grab my most comfortable walking shoes before heading out.
The sun gets stronger as spring rolls on, and you’ll notice daylight hours stretch by more than two hours. A hat and sunglasses really help, especially if you’re not used to that kind of brightness.
Rain likes to make a quick appearance in early spring, so packing a compact umbrella or light raincoat for March and April just makes sense.
By the time May arrives, things usually dry out, and you can lean into lighter clothes.
I’d recommend a small day bag for water and essentials—it just makes outings smoother.