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

Zamboanga, Philippines JANUARY
28°
Peak season
23° to 32°
Driest of the Year
Among the driest months of the year, warm even by winter standards.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
28°
Peak season
24° to 33°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, still part of the best window.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
29°
Peak season
24° to 33°
Dry Season Ends
Still part of the best window, warming up as the year's heat builds.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
29°
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Transition Begins
Rain ticks up slightly as the year moves toward the wet season.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
29°
Shoulder season
25° to 33°
Hottest Month
The hottest month of the year on average, a transition month before the rains build.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
28°
Off-peak season
24° to 32°
Wet Season Arrives
Rain becomes a regular fixture as the wet season sets in.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Off-peak season
24° to 32°
Steady Rain
Rain remains frequent, part of the year's wettest stretch.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Steady Rain
Similar to July, comparatively moderate for rain.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Rain Builds
Rain picks up further as the year moves toward its wettest month.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
28°
Off-peak season
24° to 32°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, before the wet season starts to ease.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Transition Eases
Rain eases back as the year moves toward its driest stretch.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
28°
Shoulder season
24° to 33°
Dry Season Returns
Rain eases further as the dry season firmly returns.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
Drag through the year Jan
⭐️
Jan
⭐️
Feb
⭐️
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
This month
Rainfall
69 mm
7 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
5 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
56 mm
6 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
66 mm
6 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
76 mm
7 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
78%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
89 mm
9 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
140 mm
12 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
150 mm
12 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
135 mm
10 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
163 mm
11 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
6 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
198 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
104 mm
10 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
5 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
76 mm
8 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
5 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, Mar
Zamboanga's driest stretch. January through March is historically the calmest window for rain, though temperatures stay warm year-round in this low-latitude city.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Apr, May, Aug, Sep, Nov, Dec
This tier spans April, May, August, September, November, and December, the transition months on either side of the true wet-season peak.
Off-peak season: Jun, Jul, Oct
The heart of Zamboanga's rainy season. June, July, and October see the most rain of the year, with October historically the wettest month.
Good to know
🌡️
The hottest Philippine city in winter
With an average around 28°C even in January, Zamboanga is historically the warmest city in the Philippines during the winter months.
💧
One of the drier parts of the Philippines
Zamboanga sees under 1,500mm of rain a year, with no single month historically exceeding 200mm, making it one of the country's lower-rainfall areas.
🌺
Known as 'Asia's Latin City'
Zamboanga's Spanish colonial heritage and Chavacano-speaking population give it a distinct cultural identity within the Philippines.
🏖️
Pink sand beaches nearby
Great Santa Cruz Island, a short boat ride from the city, is known for its unusual pink-tinged sand.
🌀
Typhoons can affect Zamboanga
Like the rest of northern and central Philippines, Zamboanga can be hit by typhoons, generally from May to December, with risk historically highest between August and November.
Top attractions
1
Fort Pilar
A 17th-century Spanish colonial fort near the waterfront, now home to an open-air shrine and a regional museum.
2
Great Santa Cruz Island
A short boat ride from the city, known for its distinctive pink-tinged sand beach.
3
Paseo del Mar
A waterfront promenade popular for seafood, sunset views, and evening strolls along Zamboanga's coast.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Zamboanga?
Zamboanga's rainy season historically runs from June through October, with October the wettest month, and May and November as transition months on either side.
What is the best time of year to visit Zamboanga?
January through April is historically Zamboanga's relatively dry season and the best window for a visit.
What is the least favorable time to visit Zamboanga?
June, July, and October are historically the wettest months of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Zamboanga?
October is historically the wettest month, averaging around 198mm of rain.
Which month is the driest in Zamboanga?
February is historically the driest month, averaging around 56mm of rain.
How hot does Zamboanga get?
May is historically the hottest month on average, though Zamboanga stays warm year-round and is historically the hottest Philippine city in winter.
What should I pack for Zamboanga during the rainy season?
Rain gear is worth having from around June through October, especially in October itself.
Does Zamboanga get typhoons?
Yes. Like the rest of northern and central Philippines, Zamboanga can be affected by typhoons, generally from May to December, with risk historically highest between August and November.
Why is Zamboanga called 'Asia's Latin City'?
Zamboanga's Spanish colonial heritage and Chavacano-speaking population, a Spanish-based creole language, give the city a distinct cultural identity within the Philippines.
Are there beaches near Zamboanga?
Yes. Great Santa Cruz Island, a short boat ride from the city, is known for its unusual pink-tinged sand.