Is It Monsoon in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia? Rainfall and Weather by Month

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia JANUARY
27°
★★★
Peak season
23° to 31°
Cool & Dry
The coolest month of the year, and one of the drier months too.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
28°
★★★
Peak season
23° to 32°
Driest & Best
The driest, most comfortable month of the year, both the least rainy and a little cooler than the months that follow.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
28°
★★★
Peak season
24° to 32°
Peak Dry Season
Still dry and sunny, warming up a little from February.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
29°
★★★
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Hot & Dry
Dry season holds, but the heat is building noticeably.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
29°
★★★
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Hottest Month
The hottest month of the year, with rain building noticeably as the wet season approaches.
🥵 Heat protection☔ Umbrella handy
29°
★★★
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Wet Season Arrives
Rain becomes a regular fixture as the long wet stretch sets in.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Steady Rain
Rain remains frequent, warm and humid throughout.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
★★★
Off-peak season
24° to 32°
Steady Rain
Similar to July, among the wetter months of the year.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Steady Rain
Rain remains a regular, near-daily presence.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
★★★
Off-peak season
24° to 32°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year by a clear margin.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
★★★
Off-peak season
24° to 32°
Rain Persists
Still very wet, though not quite reaching October's peak.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Rain Eases Slightly
Still within the wet season, though easing a little from the peak months before it.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
Drag through the year Jan
⭐️
Jan
⭐️
Feb
⭐️
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
This month
Rainfall
142 mm
9 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
82%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
79 mm
7 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
82%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
94 mm
7 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
122 mm
9 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
211 mm
12 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
284 mm
13 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
287 mm
14 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
279 mm
14 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
287 mm
14 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
386 mm
18 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
82%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
282 mm
16 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
83%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
262 mm
14 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
83%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 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: Jan, Feb, Mar
Kota Kinabalu's driest stretch of the year, when rainfall drops well below the rest of the year's totals. February is the best of the bunch, both the least rainy overall and a little less hot than the months that follow.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Dec
This tier spans real variety. April is still fairly dry but the heat is building, while May sees rain start creeping back in as the wet season approaches. June, July, September, and December all sit in the middle of the year's long rainy stretch without quite reaching its wettest extreme.
☔
Off-peak season: Aug, Oct, Nov
The heart of a long, very rainy period that runs roughly from June through December. October is the wettest month by a clear margin, with August and November not far behind.
Good to know
🏔️
Mount Kinabalu is a short trip away
About 50km east of the city, Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak in Malaysia and Borneo at 4,095 meters, and Kinabalu Park around it was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site named in Malaysia.
🏝️
Five islands sit just offshore
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park protects a small cluster of islands a short boat ride from the city, Gaya the largest, popular for beach days and snorkeling.
✈️
A major gateway to Borneo
Kota Kinabalu International Airport is one of Malaysia's busiest, with direct flights across Asia, and is the main entry point for most trips into Sabah.
🌊
The sea stays warm year-round
Sea temperatures historically hold between about 28°C and 30°C every month, so swimming conditions rarely change much through the year.
🌧️
Rain picks up from June through December
There's no true dry season here, but this stretch is noticeably wetter than January through April, with October historically the wettest month of the year.
Top attractions
1
Mount Kinabalu & Kinabalu Park
Malaysia's and Borneo's highest peak at 4,095 meters, ringed by a UNESCO World Heritage park known for its extraordinary plant diversity, reached in about an hour and a half from the city.
2
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
A cluster of five small islands just offshore, Gaya the largest, easily reached by boat for beach days, snorkeling, and water sports.
3
Kota Kinabalu Waterfront
The city's seafront promenade, known for some of the best sunset views in Borneo and lined with seafood restaurants and night market stalls.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Kota Kinabalu?›
Kota Kinabalu's wettest stretch runs roughly from June through December, with October historically the wettest, averaging around 386mm of rain across 18 days.
What is the best time of year to visit Kota Kinabalu?›
January through April is historically Kota Kinabalu's driest window, with February typically the lightest and least hot of the four.
What is the least favorable time to visit Kota Kinabalu?›
October, the wettest month of the year, historically brings the heaviest, most sustained rain, part of a longer wet stretch running from June through December.
Which month has the most rain in Kota Kinabalu?›
October is historically the wettest month, averaging around 386mm of rain across 18 days.
Which month is the driest in Kota Kinabalu?›
February is historically the driest month, averaging around 79mm of rain.
How hot does Kota Kinabalu get?›
May is historically the hottest month of the year.
What should I pack for Kota Kinabalu during the rainy season?›
An umbrella and rain gear are worth having from around June through December, when rain is a regular, near-daily feature.
Is the dry season in Kota Kinabalu reliable every year?›
Not entirely. The driest months, February and March in particular, can still see much heavier rain than usual in years affected by La Nina, so year-to-year variation is real here.
Can I visit Mount Kinabalu from Kota Kinabalu?›
Yes. Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia's and Borneo's highest peak at 4,095 meters, sits about 50km east of the city, and Kinabalu Park was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site named in Malaysia.
Are there islands near Kota Kinabalu?›
Yes. A cluster of small islands just offshore, including Gaya Island, is protected as Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, a popular short boat trip from the city for beaches and snorkeling.