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

Langkawi, Malaysia JANUARY
29°
Peak season
25° to 32°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year and the heart of the dry season, sunny with lower humidity than the rest of the year.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
29°
Peak season
25° to 33°
Peak Dry Season
Still dry and sunny, with the heat building noticeably.
☀️ Sunscreen🥵 Heat protection
29°
Shoulder season
26° to 33°
Hottest Month
The hottest month of the year, often still dry though showers can start appearing.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
29°
Shoulder season
26° to 32°
Rains Begin
Rain becomes a regular presence as the wet season sets in, though the heat remains intense.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
29°
Shoulder season
26° to 32°
Wet Season Builds
Rain remains frequent, with humidity climbing alongside it.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
29°
Shoulder season
26° to 32°
Steady Rain
Rain remains a regular fixture, warm and humid throughout.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
25° to 31°
Rain Persists
Among the wetter months of the year, with rain a near-daily presence.
☔ Heavy rain gear🥵 Heat protection
28°
Off-peak season
25° to 31°
Deep Monsoon
Among the wettest months of the year, as the southwest monsoon nears its peak.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Off-peak season
25° to 31°
Peak Wet Season
Rain falls on most days, among the wettest and most humid stretches of the year.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Off-peak season
25° to 31°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, with rain on more days than any other month.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Shoulder season
25° to 32°
Rains Ease
The wet season starts loosening its grip, with noticeably less rain than the months before it.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
28°
Peak season
25° to 32°
Dry Season Returns
Dry and sunny again as the dry season begins, with lower humidity settling back in.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
Drag through the year Jan
⭐️
Jan
⭐️
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
⭐️
Dec
This month
Rainfall
23 mm
3 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8.5 hrs/day
65% of daylight hours
Humidity
72%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
33 mm
5 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
69%
Comfortably humid
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
104 mm
10 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
75%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
198 mm
15 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
206 mm
18 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
83%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
249 mm
17 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
Rainfall
267 mm
19 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
84%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
5 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
320 mm
19 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
Rainfall
340 mm
21 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
84%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
371 mm
23 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
84%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
193 mm
16 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
82%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
58 mm
8 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
76%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 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, Dec
Langkawi's dry season and the only stretch of clearly reliable weather anywhere in Malaysia in this dataset. January and February are driest, while December marks the start of the dry season as the southwest monsoon retreats. It can still get very hot even in this window.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Nov
This tier spans the transition in and out of the rains. March is often still dry, sometimes extending the dry season's best weather, while April through July sit in the earlier, lighter half of the wet season. November marks the wet season's retreat, with rain easing back toward the dry months ahead.
Off-peak season: Aug, Sep, Oct
The heart of the southwest monsoon, when rain is heaviest and most frequent. October is the wettest month, with September and August not far behind, as this west-facing coast catches the monsoon blowing across the Strait of Malacca.
Good to know
🛍️
Langkawi has duty-free status
Alcohol, chocolate, and various imported goods are typically cheaper here than on the Malaysian mainland, a popular draw for day-tripping shoppers.
🚡
The Sky Bridge offers dramatic views
A cable car climbs Gunung Mat Cincang to a curved pedestrian bridge suspended above the rainforest canopy, with views stretching out over the surrounding islands.
🌍
Langkawi is a UNESCO Global Geopark
The whole archipelago is recognized for its geological formations, alongside its beaches and rainforest.
🌦️
This is Malaysia's one region with a true dry season
Unlike the rest of the country, Langkawi sees a genuinely distinct dry season, roughly December to February or March, driven by the northeast monsoon blowing from the drier interior rather than off the sea.
🌊
The sea stays warm year-round
Sea temperatures historically hold between about 28°C and 31°C in every month.
Top attractions
1
Langkawi Sky Bridge
A curved pedestrian bridge suspended above the rainforest canopy near the summit of Gunung Mat Cincang, reached by cable car with sweeping views over the surrounding islands.
2
Pantai Cenang
The island's main beach strip, a long stretch of sand lined with resorts, restaurants, and water sports operators, and the best base for sunset views.
3
Kilim Karst Geoforest Park
A mangrove-lined river system explored by boat, with limestone karst cliffs, eagle-watching, and cave stops as part of the Langkawi UNESCO Geopark.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Langkawi?
Langkawi's rainy season runs roughly from April through November, with October historically the wettest, averaging around 371mm of rain across 23 days.
What is the best time of year to visit Langkawi?
December through February, extending into mid-March some years, is historically Langkawi's dry season and the best time to visit, though it can still get very hot.
What is the least favorable time to visit Langkawi?
September and October historically bring the heaviest, most sustained rain of the year, as the southwest monsoon reaches its peak.
Which month has the most rain in Langkawi?
October is historically the wettest month, averaging around 371mm of rain across 23 days.
Which month is the driest in Langkawi?
January is historically the driest month, averaging around 23mm of rain across just 3 days.
How hot does Langkawi get?
February and March are historically tied as the hottest months of the year.
What should I pack for Langkawi during the rainy season?
An umbrella and rain gear are worth having from around April through November, when the southwest monsoon brings the bulk of the year's rain.
Is Langkawi's climate different from the rest of Malaysia?
Yes. Langkawi is the one part of Malaysia with a genuinely distinct dry season, roughly December to February or March, driven by the northeast monsoon blowing from the drier interior rather than off the sea.
Is Langkawi duty-free?
Yes. Langkawi holds duty-free status, making alcohol, chocolate, and various imported goods cheaper than on the Malaysian mainland.
Is Langkawi a UNESCO site?
Yes. The whole archipelago is recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark for its geological formations, alongside its beaches and rainforest.