Is It Monsoon in Flores, Indonesia? Rainfall and Weather by Month

Flores, Indonesia JANUARY
28°
Off-peak season
24° to 31°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, with the northwest monsoon in full force.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
27°
Off-peak season
24° to 31°
Deep Monsoon
Still very wet, among the rainiest months of the year.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 31°
Rain Eases
Rain remains frequent, though total rainfall starts easing from the peak of the monsoon.
☔ Heavy rain gear🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Dry Season Begins
The dry season arrives, though still a bit more humid than the peak months ahead.
☀️ Sunscreen🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Dry & Sunny
Dry season holds, with plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures.
☀️ Sunscreen🏖️ Beach days
28°
Peak season
23° to 32°
Best of the Year
Sunny and dry, with a cooling breeze from the southeast monsoon taking the edge off the heat.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
27°
Peak season
23° to 31°
Peak Dry Season
Dry and sunny, one of the coolest and most comfortable months of the year.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
27°
Peak season
22° to 32°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, sunny and comfortable throughout.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
28°
Shoulder season
23° to 33°
Heat Builds
Still dry, but it starts turning very hot at low elevation as the month goes on.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
29°
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Hot & Dry
Among the hottest months of the year, with rain still fairly rare at low elevation.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
29°
Shoulder season
25° to 34°
Hottest Month
The hottest month of the year on average, with rain becoming more frequent again.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
29°
Off-peak season
25° to 32°
Monsoon Returns
The northwest monsoon settles in hard, with heavy, sustained rain.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
Drag through the year Jan
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
⭐️
Jun
⭐️
Jul
⭐️
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
This month
Rainfall
290 mm
20 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
82%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
259 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
249 mm
15 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
114 mm
9 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
104 mm
6 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
46 mm
4 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
25 mm
2 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
78%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
15 mm
1 rainy day this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
30 mm
1 rainy day this month
Sunshine
10 hrs/day
77% of daylight hours
Humidity
78%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
71 mm
3 rainy days this month
Sunshine
10 hrs/day
77% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
150 mm
9 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
239 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
★★★ peak season, ★★☆ decent shoulder months, ★☆☆ true off-peak, based on rain frequency, heat, and haze.
Seasons at a glance
🌟
Peak season: Jun, Jul, Aug
Flores' best stretch for beach weather: sunny, with the heat tempered by a cooling breeze from the southeast monsoon. This is also the coolest period of the year, with nights that can drop into the high teens Celsius.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
This tier spans the rest of the dry-to-transitional months. April, May, September, and October sit at the edges of the dry season, still comparatively light on rain, though September in particular starts turning very hot at low elevation. November marks the return of rain as the northwest monsoon approaches.
Off-peak season: Jan, Feb, Dec
The heart of the northwest monsoon, when rain is heaviest and most frequent. January is historically the wettest month, with December and February not far behind, and the high humidity makes the heat feel especially muggy.
Good to know
🌋
Kelimutu's three lakes change color
This volcano in eastern Flores holds three crater lakes that shift between shades of turquoise, green, and black over time, among Indonesia's most distinctive natural sights.
🦴
Liang Bua cave rewrote a chapter of human history
In 2003, fossil remains of a small hominid species, nicknamed the "Hobbit," were discovered in this cave north of Ruteng, dating back as far as 50,000 years.
🐉
Flores is the gateway to Komodo National Park
Labuan Bajo, on the western tip of the island, is the main jumping-off point for boat trips to see Komodo dragons and some of the best diving in Indonesia.
⛰️
Highland towns run noticeably cooler
Ruteng, at around 1,100 meters on the slopes of Poco Mandasawu, historically averages temperatures more than 10°C cooler than Maumere on the coast, and nights can turn genuinely cold above 2,000 meters.
🌀
Tropical cyclones can occasionally affect Flores
From November to mid-May, more often January to mid-April, cyclones can form in the Timor Sea and track southwest past the island. Direct hits are uncommon, though Cyclone Seroja in April 2021 caused landslides and flooding, particularly in the eastern part of the island.
Top attractions
1
Kelimutu Volcano & Three-Colored Lakes
Three crater lakes atop this volcano shift between different shades of turquoise, green, and near-black, best viewed at sunrise from the rim.
2
Komodo National Park
Reached by boat from Labuan Bajo, this UNESCO World Heritage site protects the last wild population of Komodo dragons across a scatter of dramatic, arid islands.
3
Liang Bua Cave
The archaeological site north of Ruteng where the fossil remains of a diminutive hominid species were discovered in 2003, reshaping understanding of human evolution in the region.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Flores?
Flores' rainy season runs roughly from December through March, with January historically the wettest month, averaging around 290mm of rain across 20 days.
What is the best time of year to visit Flores?
June through August is historically Flores' best window for beach weather, sunny with the heat tempered by a cooling breeze.
What is the least favorable time to visit Flores?
December through February historically brings the heaviest, most sustained rain of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Flores?
January is historically the wettest month, averaging around 290mm of rain across 20 days.
Which month is the driest in Flores?
August is historically the driest month, averaging around 15mm of rain.
How hot does Flores get?
November is historically the hottest month of the year on average, with low-altitude temperatures sometimes reaching the mid-30s Celsius.
What should I pack for Flores during the rainy season?
A light raincoat or umbrella is worth packing from around December through March, when the northwest monsoon brings the bulk of the year's rain.
Do cyclones affect Flores?
Rarely, but occasionally. From November to mid-May, more often January to mid-April, Flores can be affected by tropical cyclones forming in the Timor Sea. Direct hits are uncommon; Cyclone Seroja in April 2021 caused landslides and flooding, particularly in the eastern part of the island.
Is it cooler in the Flores highlands?
Yes, noticeably. Ruteng, at around 1,100 meters on the slopes of Poco Mandasawu, historically averages temperatures more than 10°C cooler than Maumere on the coast, and nights can turn genuinely cold above 2,000 meters.
Is Flores a good base for visiting Komodo National Park?
Yes. Labuan Bajo, on the western tip of Flores, is the main gateway to Komodo National Park, home to Komodo dragons and some of the best diving in Indonesia.