Destination guide
Kuala Lumpur weather by month
February is the best time to visit Kuala Lumpur for a better balance of warmth, sunshine and fewer wet days, with January and March also good choices. Daytime averages stay around 29°C to 30°C throughout the year, so there is no cool season to wait for. Even February averages 18 rain days. Choose your month mainly around how much rain you are prepared to work around, rather than expecting a big change in temperature.
- Hottest month
- 30.5°CMarch
- Coolest month
- 28.8°CDecember
- Rain per year
- 2905mmaverage total
- Flight from London
- 13 h 54 minLong-haul (7 h+) · estimated
Kuala Lumpur, month by month
A little perspective
Kuala Lumpur through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Januarybest | 29.4°C | 22.4°C | 2.1 | 204 | 21 | 100% |
| Februarybest | 30.3°C | 22.6°C | 2.7 | 165 | 18 | 100% |
| Marchbest | 30.5°C | 23.1°C | 2.5 | 258 | 25 | 100% |
| April | 30.3°C | 23.5°C | 1.8 | 294 | 28 | 100% |
| May | 30.2°C | 23.7°C | 1.6 | 232 | 27 | 100% |
| June | 30.1°C | 23.5°C | 2.1 | 174 | 23 | 100% |
| July | 30.0°C | 23.2°C | 2.1 | 184 | 25 | 100% |
| August | 29.8°C | 23.2°C | 1.9 | 215 | 26 | 100% |
| September | 29.8°C | 23.1°C | 1.7 | 235 | 25 | 100% |
| October | 29.6°C | 23.1°C | 1.2 | 292 | 26 | 100% |
| November | 29.0°C | 22.9°C | 0.8 | 374 | 28 | 100% |
| December | 28.8°C | 22.6°C | 1.2 | 278 | 26 | 99% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Kuala Lumpur
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. November is the wettest month (374 mm, about 28 rainy days) and February the driest (165 mm).
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah International Airport (SZB, 15 km from Kuala Lumpur) takes roughly 13 h 54 min - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: Asia/Kuala Lumpur.
Records and extremes, 1991-2020
The hottest day recorded in Kuala Lumpur between 1991 and 2020 reached 35.7°C on 16 February 2005; the coldest fell to 19.1°C on 4 January 2002. In March one day in ten tops 32.5°C and about 63% of days pass 30°C; in December one night in ten drops to 21.7°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was November 2009 with 562 mm, against a November average of 374 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Kuala Lumpur
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:24 | 19:21 | 12.0 h | 2.1 h |
| February | 07:27 | 19:28 | 12.0 h | 2.7 h |
| March | 07:19 | 19:25 | 12.1 h | 2.5 h |
| April | 07:08 | 19:19 | 12.2 h | 1.8 h |
| May | 07:02 | 19:17 | 12.3 h | 1.6 h |
| June | 07:05 | 19:23 | 12.3 h | 2.1 h |
| July | 07:11 | 19:28 | 12.3 h | 2.1 h |
| August | 07:11 | 19:24 | 12.2 h | 1.9 h |
| September | 07:05 | 19:12 | 12.1 h | 1.7 h |
| October | 06:58 | 19:00 | 12.0 h | 1.2 h |
| November | 06:59 | 18:57 | 12.0 h | 0.8 h |
| December | 07:10 | 19:07 | 11.9 h | 1.2 h |
January to March: the best balance, but still pack for rain
February offers the clearest weather advantage: its 3 hours of daily sunshine and 18 rain days make it easier to plan time outdoors than in the wetter months. January is also a sensible choice, with slightly cooler days and nights, though sunshine is limited. March remains among the better months overall, but its 25 rain days mean February's relative dryness does not last. It is also the hottest month, so choose it for warmth rather than relief from the heat. Across this period, pack light clothing, carry an umbrella and leave some flexibility in outdoor plans. These are the better options for a weather-led trip, not a reliably dry season.
April to September: steady heat and frequent wet days
April and May bring daytime averages of 30°C and nights around 24°C, leaving little evening relief from the warmth. April's 28 rain days make flexible plans especially useful. June offers a modest improvement, with 23 rain days, but it is still a wet month rather than a dry-season break. July, August and September keep much the same daytime heat, with frequent rain and limited sunshine. Moving a trip between these months will not greatly change what you need to pack: light, quick-drying clothes, rain protection and footwear you can manage in wet conditions. Plan breaks from the midday heat and keep indoor alternatives available rather than building every day around being outside.
October to December: less sunshine, little cooling
October, November and December are the weakest choices if your priority is sunshine and easy outdoor planning. Each averages just 1 hour of sunshine daily, while November is the wettest month and has 28 rain days. October and December are also frequently wet, so neither offers a clear dry alternative. December is the coolest month, but its daytime average of about 29°C still calls for light clothing rather than a winter wardrobe. This period suits travellers who are comfortable changing plans around rain and spending more time indoors. The catch is that you accept poorer weather without gaining much relief from the heat, especially with nights staying around 23°C.
A little more detail
Kuala Lumpur weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Kuala Lumpur?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Kuala Lumpur are February, March and January. March is the hottest month (average high 30.5°C) and December the coolest (28.8°C).
How many months a year is Kuala Lumpur over 25°C?
12 months in Kuala Lumpur average a daytime high of 25°C or more, and 12 average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Kuala Lumpur?
November is the wettest month in Kuala Lumpur (374 mm on average) and February the driest (165 mm). Annual rainfall averages 2905 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Kuala Lumpur?
The hottest day recorded in Kuala Lumpur between 1991 and 2020 reached 35.7°C on 16 February 2005; the coldest fell to 19.1°C on 4 January 2002. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
Is February dry enough to leave rain gear at home?
No. February is the driest month, but it still averages 18 rain days. It is the best choice for reducing the chance of rain disrupting plans, not for avoiding rain altogether. Keep an umbrella or light waterproof handy.
Will I need warm clothes in the evenings?
Outdoor evenings stay warm throughout the year, with average night temperatures ranging from 22°C to 24°C. Light clothing is the sensible starting point. January has the coolest nights, while April, May and June remain warmer after dark.
Which summer month is better for avoiding rain?
June has a slight edge, averaging 23 rain days compared with 25 in July and 26 in August. Daytime temperatures are much the same at 30°C, so the advantage is fewer wet days rather than cooler weather. Rain protection remains useful throughout.
See also: Malaysia weather by month · where else is hot in March
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Kuala Lumpur. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C