Lifestyle
Malaysia — Living: Climate
Malaysia averages 26.4°C over the year and about 2996 mm of precipitation (national averages for 1991-2020, World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, CRU TS 4.07 data), with May the warmest month and January the coolest.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceWorld Bank — Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CRU TS 4.07 climate normals, 1991-2020)Last reviewed: 2026-10-18
Key facts
- Average annual temperature: 26.4°C (national average, 1991-2020)
- Warmest month: May, 27.0°C on average
- Coolest month: January, 25.8°C on average
- Average annual precipitation: 2996 mm (1991-2020)
- Wettest month: December, 375 mm on average
- Driest month: July, 185 mm on average
Timelines
- Northeast Monsoon (main rainy/flood season): November-March
- Southwest Monsoon (drier season): late May-September
Common mistakes
- Underestimating east coast flood risk during the Northeast Monsoon (Nov-March) when choosing where to live or travel.
Monthly averages, 1991-2020 (national)
January: 25.8°C, 306 mm February: 26.0°C, 220 mm March: 26.5°C, 232 mm April: 26.9°C, 234 mm May: 27.0°C, 235 mm June: 26.7°C, 197 mm July: 26.5°C, 185 mm August: 26.6°C, 219 mm September: 26.4°C, 216 mm October: 26.2°C, 275 mm November: 26.1°C, 302 mm December: 25.8°C, 375 mm
What these figures do not cover
These are country-wide averages. Climate varies a lot between regions, coasts, mountains and cities, and individual years differ from the long-term average. Heat waves, humidity, air quality and seasonal hazards are not covered here.