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

Medan, Indonesia JANUARY
27°
Shoulder season
23° to 31°
Warm & Showery
Moderate rain typical of the calmer stretch, warm and humid throughout.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
28°
Peak season
23° to 32°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, part of Medan's calmer stretch.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
28°
Peak season
23° to 33°
Calmer Stretch
Still comparatively light on rain, warm and increasingly humid.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Heat Builds
One of the warmer months, with rain ticking up slightly from March.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
29°
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Hottest Month
The hottest month of the year on average, with rain becoming more frequent.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Calmer Stretch
Part of a second lighter window for rain, still hot and humid.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
28°
Peak season
23° to 33°
Calmer Stretch
Still within the year's second lighter window for rain.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
23° to 32°
Rain Builds
Rain becomes more frequent as the wetter stretch of the year approaches.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
23° to 32°
Rain Builds
Rain continues to build toward the wettest months of the year.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
27°
Off-peak season
23° to 31°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, with a real risk of flash flooding.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
27°
Off-peak season
23° to 31°
Deep Rains
Nearly as wet as October, with sustained heavy rain.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
27°
Off-peak season
23° to 31°
Wet Stretch
Still among the wettest months of the year, coolest month too.
☔ 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
140 mm
9 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4 hrs/day
31% of daylight hours
Humidity
83%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
89 mm
6 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
104 mm
7 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
130 mm
9 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4.5 hrs/day
35% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
175 mm
10 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4.5 hrs/day
35% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
130 mm
8 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
135 mm
8 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5 hrs/day
38% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
180 mm
11 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4.5 hrs/day
35% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
211 mm
12 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4 hrs/day
31% of daylight hours
Humidity
83%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
259 mm
16 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4 hrs/day
31% of daylight hours
Humidity
84%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
5 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
244 mm
16 rainy days this month
Sunshine
3.5 hrs/day
27% of daylight hours
Humidity
85%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
5 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
231 mm
14 rainy days this month
Sunshine
3 hrs/day
23% of daylight hours
Humidity
85%
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: Feb, Mar, Jul
Medan's closest thing to a favorable stretch, split across two lighter windows: February to April and June to July. Rain historically eases somewhat in both, though this remains a genuinely wet, equatorial climate.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Jan, Apr, May, Jun, Aug, Sep
This tier spans most of the rest of the year: January, April, May, June, August, and September all see moderate rain, hot and humid throughout, without quite reaching the wettest or calmest extremes.
Off-peak season: Oct, Nov, Dec
Medan's wetter stretch, when rain is historically most frequent and abundant. October, November, and December see the heaviest, most sustained rain of the year, with October historically the wettest month.
Good to know
🏞️
Lake Toba is a short trip away
This vast volcanic crater lake, with Samosir Island rising from its center, is one of the most iconic natural sights in Indonesia and a popular multi-day trip from Medan.
🦧
Bukit Lawang is a top spot for wild orangutans
On the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park, this small town is one of the best places in Sumatra to see wild and semi-wild orangutans up close.
🌀
Medan is rarely affected by cyclones directly
Being close to the equator, Medan is typically not directly affected by tropical cyclones, though storms can occasionally form in the Strait of Malacca from April to December. In a rare exception, tropical storm Vamei directly affected Sumatra in late December 2001.
🌊
Flash flooding is possible in the wettest months
Particularly heavy rain during the wettest period, historically August through December, has occasionally caused flash flooding.
🌡️
Temperatures stay warm year-round
A slightly warmer stretch runs from April to August, when highs can occasionally push past 36°C, though nights rarely drop below 20°C at any time of year.
Top attractions
1
Lake Toba & Samosir Island
The largest volcanic lake in the world, formed by a supervolcanic eruption, with the culturally distinct Batak community and traditional architecture on Samosir Island at its center.
2
Bukit Lawang
A riverside village bordering Gunung Leuser National Park, the starting point for jungle treks with a strong chance of spotting wild orangutans.
3
Maimun Palace
The former sultan's palace, built in 1888 and blending Malay, Islamic, and colonial architectural styles, still partly used by the sultanate's descendants today.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Medan?
Medan's wettest stretch runs roughly from August through December, with a maximum in October, historically averaging around 259mm of rain across 16 days.
What is the best time of year to visit Medan?
February, March, and July are historically Medan's calmer months for rain, part of two separate lighter stretches, February to April and June to July.
What is the least favorable time to visit Medan?
October through December historically brings the most frequent, abundant rain of the year, and flash flooding is possible during the heaviest spells.
Which month has the most rain in Medan?
October is historically the wettest month, averaging around 259mm of rain across 16 days.
Which month is the driest in Medan?
February is historically the driest month, averaging around 89mm of rain.
How hot does Medan get?
May is historically the hottest month of the year on average.
What should I pack for Medan during the rainy season?
An umbrella and rain gear are worth having from around August through December, when rain is historically most frequent and abundant.
Does Medan get cyclones?
Rarely, and typically not directly. Being close to the equator, Medan isn't usually affected by tropical cyclones, though storms can occasionally form in the Strait of Malacca from April to December. In a rare exception, tropical storm Vamei directly affected Sumatra in late December 2001.
Is Lake Toba near Medan?
Yes. Lake Toba, a vast volcanic crater lake with Samosir Island at its center, is one of Indonesia's most iconic sights and a popular multi-day trip from Medan.
Can I see orangutans near Medan?
Yes. Bukit Lawang, on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park, is one of the best places in Sumatra to see wild and semi-wild orangutans.