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

Makassar, Indonesia JANUARY
27°
★★★
Off-peak season
24° to 31°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year by a wide margin, with the northwest monsoon in full force.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
27°
★★★
Off-peak season
23° to 31°
Deep Monsoon
Still extremely wet, among the rainiest months of the year.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
23° to 32°
Rain Eases
Still quite wet, though total rainfall starts easing from the peak of the monsoon.
☔ Heavy rain gear🥵 Heat protection
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Rain Continues to Ease
Rain becomes noticeably less frequent as the dry season approaches.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Transition Month
A transitional month between the rainy and dry seasons, with rain tapering off fast.
☀️ Sunscreen🥵 Heat protection
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
23° to 32°
Dry Season Begins
The southeast monsoon brings dry, sunny weather.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
27°
★★★
Peak season
22° to 33°
Dry & Sunny
Dry and sunny, one of the most comfortable months of the year.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
28°
★★★
Peak season
22° to 33°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, sunny and comfortable throughout.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
28°
★★★
Peak season
22° to 34°
Hot & Dry
Heat starts building, still dry with plenty of sunshine.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
23° to 34°
Hottest Month
The hottest month of the year on average, with rain starting to return.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Monsoon Returns
The northwest monsoon builds fast, with rain becoming a regular presence again.
☔ Heavy rain gear🥵 Heat protection
27°
★★★
Off-peak season
24° to 31°
Deep Monsoon
Among the wettest months of the year, with the monsoon in full force.
☔ 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
734 mm
27 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
88%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
564 mm
26 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
87%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
391 mm
23 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
85%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
236 mm
18 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
94 mm
8 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
66 mm
6 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8.5 hrs/day
65% of daylight hours
Humidity
70%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
51 mm
4 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9 hrs/day
69% of daylight hours
Humidity
68%
Comfortably humid
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
15 mm
1 rainy day this month
Sunshine
9.5 hrs/day
73% of daylight hours
Humidity
66%
Comfortably humid
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
30 mm
2 rainy days this month
Sunshine
10 hrs/day
77% of daylight hours
Humidity
67%
Comfortably humid
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
84 mm
7 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9.5 hrs/day
73% of daylight hours
Humidity
71%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
274 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
551 mm
24 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
85%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 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: Jul, Aug, Sep
Makassar's driest, sunniest stretch, during the southeast monsoon. August is typically the driest month of the year, with July and September close behind.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Oct, Nov
This tier spans the transition in and out of the rains. March, April, May, June, and October sit at the edges of the wet and dry seasons, comparatively moderate, while November marks the return of heavier rain as the northwest monsoon builds.
☔
Off-peak season: Jan, Feb, Dec
The heart of the northwest monsoon, when Makassar, exposed on its western side, catches some of the heaviest rain in this dataset. January is historically the wettest month by a wide margin, with February and December not far behind, and flooding along the Jeneberang River is possible during the wettest spells.
Good to know
🦋
Bantimurung-Bulusaraung is known as the Kingdom of Butterflies
This national park east of the city is known for its waterfalls, karst caves, and dense butterfly population.
🏛️
Fort Rotterdam anchors the old town
This well-preserved Dutch colonial-era fort sits on the waterfront and now houses a museum covering South Sulawesi's history.
🌊
The Jeneberang River can flood the city
Heavy rain during the wettest period, historically December through March, has occasionally caused the Jeneberang River to flood parts of Makassar.
🗿
A common gateway to Tana Toraja
This highland region, known for its elaborate traditional funeral ceremonies and distinctive saddleback-roofed houses, is commonly reached by road from Makassar.
🌀
Makassar isn't affected by tropical cyclones
Being close to the equator, Makassar and the island of Sulawesi generally are not affected by tropical cyclones.
Top attractions
1
Fort Rotterdam
A well-preserved 17th-century Dutch colonial fort on the waterfront, now home to a museum covering the history and culture of South Sulawesi.
2
Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park
Known as the Kingdom of Butterflies, this park east of the city combines waterfalls, karst caves, and one of Indonesia's densest butterfly populations.
3
Losari Beach
Makassar's waterfront promenade, a lively spot in the evenings for street food and watching the sunset over the Makassar Strait.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Makassar?›
Makassar's rainy season runs roughly from November through April, driven by the northwest monsoon, with January historically the wettest month, averaging around 734mm of rain across 27 days.
What is the best time of year to visit Makassar?›
June through September is historically Makassar's driest, sunniest stretch, during the southeast monsoon, with August the driest month of the year.
What is the least favorable time to visit Makassar?›
December through February historically brings the heaviest, most sustained rain of the year, and flooding along the Jeneberang River is possible during the wettest spells.
Which month has the most rain in Makassar?›
January is historically the wettest month, averaging around 734mm of rain across 27 days.
Which month is the driest in Makassar?›
August is historically the driest month, averaging around 15mm of rain across just 1 day.
How hot does Makassar get?›
October is historically the hottest month of the year on average.
What should I pack for Makassar during the rainy season?›
An umbrella and rain gear are worth having from around November through April, when the northwest monsoon brings the bulk of the year's rain.
Does Makassar flood?›
It can. Heavy rain during the wettest period, historically December through March, has occasionally caused the Jeneberang River to flood parts of the city.
Does Makassar get cyclones?›
No. Being close to the equator, Makassar and the island of Sulawesi generally are not affected by tropical cyclones.
Is Makassar a good base for visiting Tana Toraja?›
Yes. Tana Toraja, known for its elaborate traditional funeral ceremonies and distinctive saddleback-roofed houses, is commonly reached by road from Makassar.