Is It Monsoon in Manila, Philippines? Rainfall and Weather by Month

Manila, Philippines JANUARY
27°
Peak season
23° to 31°
Driest & Coolest
The coolest, most comfortable month of the year, and the preferred choice for a visit.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
27°
Peak season
23° to 31°
Dry & Pleasant
Still part of the best window, just slightly warmer than January.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Dry but Hot
Still technically dry season, but noticeably hotter than the winter months before it.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
30°
Shoulder season
26° to 34°
Hot & Dry
Very hot and still dry, among the most intense months of the year for heat.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
30°
Shoulder season
26° to 34°
Hottest & Rain Begins
The hottest month of the year on average, as the first real rain of the year sets in.
🥵 Heat protection☔ Umbrella handy
29°
Shoulder season
26° to 33°
Wet Season Builds
Rain becomes a regular fixture as the wet season sets in.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Off-peak season
25° to 32°
Very Wet
Among the wettest months of the year, with rain a near-daily presence.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Off-peak season
25° to 31°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year by a wide margin, with rain on most days.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Off-peak season
25° to 31°
Still Very Wet
Still deep in the rainy season, though slightly less than August.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Rain Eases
Rain eases noticeably from the peak of the wet season, though still a regular presence.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Transition to Dry
Rain continues to ease as the year moves toward its driest stretch.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
27°
Peak season
23° to 31°
Winter Begins
Part of the best window by the source's own account, though typhoons can occasionally still pass through this month.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
Drag through the year Jan
⭐️
Jan
⭐️
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
⭐️
Dec
This month
Rainfall
20 mm
4 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
74%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
20 mm
3 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
71%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
20 mm
3 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8.5 hrs/day
65% of daylight hours
Humidity
68%
Comfortably humid
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
25 mm
3 rainy days this month
Sunshine
9.5 hrs/day
73% of daylight hours
Humidity
66%
Comfortably humid
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
160 mm
9 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
73%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
254 mm
14 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
78%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
429 mm
19 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
83%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
475 mm
19 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
85%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
396 mm
18 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
85%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
221 mm
14 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
119 mm
10 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
78%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
99 mm
8 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
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
Manila's dry season and the best time to visit, historically. Winter, December through February, is the most reliable stretch, with January and February typically the driest, and January the most comfortable of the two since it runs slightly less hot.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Oct, Nov
This tier spans March through June, plus October and November. March and April are still technically dry season but noticeably hotter, while May and June ease into the wet season as the first rains build.
Off-peak season: Jul, Aug, Sep
The heart of Manila's rainy season. July through September sees the heaviest, most sustained rain of the year, with August historically the wettest month by a wide margin.
Good to know
🏛️
The Philippines' capital and largest metro area
Manila sits on the western coast of Luzon, between Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay, with Quezon City bordering it to the north.
🌏
On the drier side of the Philippines
Manila sits on the western side of the archipelago, where a well-defined dry season exists. The eastern Philippines sees no real dry season and rains year-round instead.
🌀
Typhoons have historically caused serious damage
Typhoon Patsy struck directly in November 1970, and typhoon Ketsana, also known as Ondoy, caused severe flooding in late September 2009.
🌡️
Quezon City can run hotter than the coast
Manila's official climate data comes from Ninoy Aquino International Airport near the bay; Quezon City, further inland to the north, has recorded even higher temperatures on the hottest days.
💧
Nights stay warm even in the coolest months
Even during the cooler December-to-February stretch, nighttime temperatures rarely drop below 20°C, and only occasionally dip a little lower in an unusually cool year.
Top attractions
1
Intramuros
Manila's historic walled city, home to Spanish colonial-era buildings, Fort Santiago, and the baroque San Agustin Church.
2
Rizal Park
A large, historic public park along Manila Bay, dedicated to national hero Jose Rizal, popular for evening walks and sunset views.
3
Manila Bay Waterfront
A long promenade along the bay, well known for some of the most dramatic sunsets in the Philippines.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Manila?
Manila's rainy season historically runs from May through December, with a very rainy stretch from June through October, and August the wettest month by a wide margin.
What is the best time of year to visit Manila?
Winter, December through February, is historically Manila's dry season and the best time to visit, with January and February typically the driest and January slightly more comfortable since it runs less hot.
What is the least favorable time to visit Manila?
July through September is historically the wettest, most sustained rainy stretch of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Manila?
August is historically the wettest month by a wide margin.
Which month is the driest in Manila?
January, February, and March are historically tied as the driest months, each averaging very little rain.
How hot does Manila get?
May is historically the hottest month on average, part of a hot stretch that runs from March to May, just before the rains set in.
What should I pack for Manila during the rainy season?
Rain gear is worth having from around May through December, especially from July through September when rain is heaviest.
Can typhoons affect Manila in December?
Yes, occasionally. Even though December falls within Manila's recommended winter window, typhoons can still pass through the Philippines this month, which is part of why January and February are considered the more reliable choices.
Does Manila get typhoons?
Yes. Manila and the north-central Philippines can be affected by typhoons, generally from May to December, with risk historically highest between August and November.
Is Manila always this hot?
Temperatures stay warm year-round, but December through February is historically the coolest stretch, while March through May runs hottest, just before the rains arrive.