Malaysia weather

Malaysia’s climate is equatorial; the weather is hot and humid throughout the year with very little variation. The drop in temperature at night is small and rooms with air conditioning may help to provide a good night’s sleep. Travel is generally trouble free year round.

A climate chart showing the weather in Pulau Pilang, Malaysia. Featuring monthly temperature forecasts and mean expected rainfall.

Rainfall in Malaysia is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year but officially there are two ‘rainy seasons’. These are caused by the southwest monsoon from May to September and the northeast monsoon from November to March. The northeast monsoon brings more rain and consequently coasts exposed to it receive more wet weather than other parts of the country from November to February. During these months many east coast resorts close and boat services begin to vanish.

A climate chart showing the weather in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Featuring monthly temperature forecasts and mean expected rainfall.

You should expect approximately four to five hours of sunshine in wet weather and eight to nine hours of sunshine when the weather is dry. In the afternoon cool sea breezes provide relief from the heat of the day.

A climate chart showing the weather in Melaka, Malaysia. Featuring monthly temperature forecasts and mean expected rainfall.

Temperatures tend to be lower in the hills but there is more rain and consequently higher humidity and less daily sunshine.

A climate chart showing the weather in Kot Bharu, Malaysia. Featuring monthly temperature forecasts and mean expected rainfall.