Weather in Kuala Lumpur in December

How December compares

December is the 12th warmest month of the year in Kuala Lumpur and ranks 13th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Kuala Lumpur is 21.1°C warmer by day and 19.9°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Kuala Lumpur peaks at 28.8°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 30.1°C or more. About 99% of days top 25°C and 1 in 7 pass 30°C. Nights average 22.6°C; one night in ten drops to 21.7°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 31.9°C (2019-12-31) and the coldest night 19.3°C (2007-12-03).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 26 days with 1 mm or more, 278 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 2014 with 553 mm, the driest 2004 with 129 mm. Humidity averages 88%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 1.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.8 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:10 and sets about 19:07 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 90%.

Is December a good time to visit Kuala Lumpur?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. The best months for Kuala Lumpur on our scoring are February, March, January; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Hot by UK standards, even in the coolest month

December is Kuala Lumpur's coolest month on average, but that is relative: daytime highs of 28.8°C compare with London's 7.7°C. Almost every day reaches 25°C, so lightweight, breathable clothing is more useful than anything you would wear outdoors at home. The catch is the humidity, which makes a busy day on foot more demanding than the temperature alone might suggest. Keep midday plans manageable and leave room for indoor breaks rather than trying to stay outside continuously. Nights average 22.6°C, so evenings remain warm rather than offering a crisp cooldown. This suits travellers comfortable with persistent warmth, but less so anyone who needs cool nights to feel refreshed.

Plan around rain, not long spells of sunshine

With about 26 rainy days, rain needs to be part of the plan rather than treated as an occasional interruption. Bring a compact umbrella and footwear you can cope with getting wet, and avoid making every day depend on outdoor time. Sunshine averages just 1.2 hours within 11.8 hours of daylight: there is ample daylight for getting about, but very little reliable bright sun. A rainy day does not necessarily mean rain throughout the day, although you should not count on a particular dry window. December works better for a flexible city stay with indoor alternatives than for a holiday built around spending most of your time outside.