Malaysia Climate & Weather

Malaysia is a country located in Southeast Asia. The land is divided into the east and west by the South China Sea. West Malaysia is located in the south of the Malay Peninsula and East Malaysia is located in the north of Kalimantan Island. Malaysia is located near the equator. Controlled by the equatorial low-pressure belt, most parts of Malaysia have a tropical rainforest climate. Read on to know more about Malaysia Climate & Weather.
 

Malaysia Climate & Weather

Malaysia is close to the equator, between 1°-7° north latitude. Due to the direct sunlight, it is hot and rainy all year round. In terms of climate, Malaysia can be divided into three categories: coastal, highland and lowland. Most areas of Malaysia have a tropical rainforest climate. Malaysia has no obvious four seasons.

►Rainfall

Rainfall is abundant throughout the year. The annual precipitation can reach more than 2000 mm. The seasons are evenly distributed and there is no drought period. November is the wettest month, with an average rainfall of 320 mm. The driest month of the year is June and July, with an average of 130 mm of rainfall. Although it is hot during the day, there are showers in the afternoon and the monsoon blows at night, which is very cool. Rainfall is variable and depends on location and time of year.



►Temperature

Due to its geographical location, Malaysia has a tropical climate. High temperatures and high humidity prevail, with an average temperature of 27°C. During the day, the temperature rises above 30°C (86°F) throughout the year, and rarely falls below 20°C (68°F) at night. Inland areas are cooler, with an average daily temperature of 26°C, while high-altitude areas have an average daily temperature of 23°C.

Malaysia is a place with eternal summer and eternal sunshine. The temperature change is very small throughout the year, and the temperature difference is extremely small. The average annual temperature in the inland mountains is 22℃~28℃, the average annual temperature in the coastal plain is 25℃~30℃, and the annual temperature difference is generally not more than 5°C. The daily change of temperature is greater than the annual change, and the daily difference can reach 10-15°C. However, the daily maximum temperature rarely exceeds 35°C, and the daily minimum temperature rarely falls below 20°C.

►Sunlight

Malaysia is near the equator, so the country is full of sunshine. The amount of sunshine in March and May are the most, exceeding 200 hours. The total bright sunshine duration in November is at least 150 hours. Naturally, the rainy season will affect the amount of sunlight received by Malaysia. Therefore, if all factors are considered, Malaysia will receive approximately 6 hours of sunlight per day.
 

Malacca

►Monsoon

The monsoon has a great influence on the weather in Malaysia. In the months from May to September, the monsoon spreads from south to west, while in the months from November to March, the monsoon spreads from north to east. Because of these monsoons, the west coast of Malaysia is the wettest from April to October, while the east coast is the wettest from November to February.

Although the rainy season on the west coast is relatively mild with brief thunderstorms in the afternoon, the rainy season on the east coast is much heavier and you'd better avoid it. In fact, many beach resorts are closed during the rainy season and reopened in March. Due to the El Nino phenomenon, the climate in Peninsular Malaysia is slightly drier than in East Malaysia.

Climate in East Malaysia

November to March is the rainy season in East Malaysia, with abundant rainfall and severe high tide, which is not conducive to beach activities. During the rainy season, East Malaysia can receive up to 5080 mm of rain. The weather is hotter from April to May and October, and it is easy to get sunburn. Visitors can avoid traveling during this period of time or do good sun protection measures. The best time to visit the East Coast is from June to July.

Climate in West Malaysia

Rainfall in West Malaysia is relatively low from May to July, which is conducive to tourists' travel arrangements. It is best to avoid traveling from October to December, because it is the rainy season. Peninsular Malaysia can get 2,500 mm of rain during the wet season. There is a Malaysian shopping festival in August, suitable for visitors who love shopping. The weather on the West Coast is favorable in January and February, and it is suitable for tourism.

Best Time to Visit Malaysia

Malaysia is suitable for tourism all year round, especially from May to September. Malaysia's Shopping Carnival is held in March, August, and December every year. All goods in Kuala Lumpur will be discounted, which is the best time for female tourists to travel.
 

Kuala Lumpur

Dressing Code

What clothes are suitable for different seasons? Loose fit clothes made of lightweight materials are a wise choice throughout the year. Cotton or moisture-wicking material is also ideal because it maintains constant humidity. Lightweight summer clothing can be worn throughout Malaysia all year round. It is recommended that women cover their legs and upper arms in public to avoid violating local cultural norms.

Bring a thin coat to avoid excessive temperature difference between morning and evening or air-conditioned rooms. Due to the tropical maritime climate, the weather is rainy in Malaysia. Always remember to bring an umbrella when you go out, even if the weather is good.