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

Kuching, Malaysia JANUARY
27°
Off-peak season
23° to 30°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year by a wide margin, when the northeast monsoon hits hardest.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
27°
Off-peak season
23° to 30°
Deep Monsoon
Still very wet, among the rainiest months of the year despite fewer rain days than January.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Shoulder season
23° to 32°
Rain Eases
Rain starts easing from the peak of the monsoon, though still a regular presence.
☔ Heavy rain gear🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Rain Persists
Warm and humid, with rain a regular part of most days.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Hottest Month
The hottest month of the year on average, with rain easing further.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Peak season
24° to 33°
Calmer Stretch
One of the lighter months for rain, as close to a favorable stretch as Kuching gets.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
28°
Peak season
23° to 33°
Driest Month
The least rainy month of the year, though even here a good 200mm of rain still falls.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
28°
Peak season
23° to 33°
Calmer Stretch
Similar to July, one of the more manageable months for rain.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
23° to 32°
Rain Builds
Rain ticks back up slightly as the month goes on.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
23° to 32°
Rain Persists
Rain becomes more frequent again as the year moves toward its wettest stretch.
☔ Heavy rain gear🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
23° to 32°
Rain Builds
As wet as October by total rainfall, with even more rain days.
☔ Heavy rain gear🥵 Heat protection
27°
Off-peak season
23° to 31°
Deep Monsoon
The northeast monsoon settles in hard, with rain on more days than any other month.
☔ 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
673 mm
21 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4 hrs/day
31% of daylight hours
Humidity
87%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
500 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
86%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
340 mm
18 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
85%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
5 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
302 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
85%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
5 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
269 mm
16 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
84%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
5 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
254 mm
14 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
83%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
5 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
201 mm
13 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
264 mm
15 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
244 mm
16 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
84%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
5 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
343 mm
19 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
85%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
5 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
343 mm
21 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
86%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
5 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
498 mm
23 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4.5 hrs/day
35% of daylight hours
Humidity
87%
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: Jun, Jul, Aug
Kuching's closest thing to a favorable stretch, though this is Malaysia's rainiest city, so an umbrella is never far from useful. June through August see somewhat less rain than the rest of the year.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
This tier spans most of the rest of the year: March, April, May, September, October, and November all see substantial rain on most days, warm and humid throughout, without quite reaching the wettest extremes on either end of the year.
Off-peak season: Jan, Feb, Dec
The heart of the northeast monsoon, which hits this coast directly. December through February sees the heaviest, most sustained rain of the year, with January historically the wettest month by a wide margin.
Good to know
🐱
Kuching means 'cat' in Malay
The city leans into the nickname with cat statues around town and a dedicated cat museum, though the exact origin of the name is debated.
🦧
Semenggoh Wildlife Centre is a short trip away
This orangutan rehabilitation center just outside the city cares for orphaned and injured orangutans, with scheduled feeding times giving a good chance of sightings.
🌧️
Kuching is Malaysia's rainiest city
Kuching historically receives over 4 meters of rain a year, more than any other city in this already rainy country.
⛰️
Santubong Mountain overlooks the coast
This 810-meter peak north of the city sits within Santubong National Park, a popular day trip for hiking and beaches.
🌊
The sea stays warm year-round
Sea temperatures historically hold between about 28°C and 30°C in every month.
Top attractions
1
Semenggoh Wildlife Centre
An orangutan rehabilitation center a short drive from the city, with scheduled morning and afternoon feeding sessions offering a good chance to see semi-wild orangutans up close.
2
Kuching Waterfront
A landscaped riverside esplanade along the Sarawak River, facing the old Fort Margherita and Astana, popular for an evening walk and river cruises.
3
Bako National Park
Malaysia's oldest national park, reached by a short boat ride, known for its coastal sandstone cliffs, jungle trails, and resident proboscis monkeys.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Kuching?
Kuching's wettest stretch runs roughly from December through February, driven by the northeast monsoon hitting this exposed coast directly, with January historically the wettest month, averaging around 673mm of rain across 21 days.
What is the best time of year to visit Kuching?
June through August is historically Kuching's least rainy stretch, about as good as it gets in what is Malaysia's rainiest city; some rain should still be expected even then.
What is the least favorable time to visit Kuching?
December through February historically brings the heaviest, most sustained rain of the year, when the northeast monsoon hits this coast directly.
Which month has the most rain in Kuching?
January is historically the wettest month, averaging around 673mm of rain across 21 days.
Which month is the driest in Kuching?
July is historically the driest month, though it still averages around 201mm of rain.
How hot does Kuching get?
May is historically the hottest month of the year.
What should I pack for Kuching during the rainy season?
An umbrella and rain gear are worth having year-round in Kuching, since even the driest month still sees a substantial amount of rain.
Is Kuching really Malaysia's rainiest city?
Yes. Kuching historically receives over 4 meters of rain a year, more than any other city in this already rainy country.
Can I see orangutans near Kuching?
Yes. Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, a short drive from the city, rehabilitates orphaned and injured orangutans, with scheduled feeding times giving a good chance of sightings.
Why is Kuching called the Cat City?
Kuching means 'cat' in Malay, and the city leans into the nickname with cat statues and a dedicated cat museum, though the exact origin of the name is debated.