Weather in Kuala Lumpur in January

How January compares

January is the 10th warmest month of the year in Kuala Lumpur and ranks 12th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Kuala Lumpur is 22.0°C warmer by day and 20.2°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Kuala Lumpur peaks at 29.4°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 31.0°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 3 pass 30°C. Nights average 22.4°C; one night in ten drops to 21.3°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 33.8°C (2020-01-24) and the coldest night 19.1°C (2002-01-04).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 21 days with 1 mm or more, 204 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 1999 with 457 mm, the driest 2005 with 60 mm. Humidity averages 85%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 2.1 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.8 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:24 and sets about 19:21 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 82%.

Is January 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 days, warm evenings and sticky conditions

January sits towards the cooler end of Kuala Lumpur's year, but that is relative: it still feels like hot-weather travel. Humidity averages 85%, so loose, breathable clothing is a more useful starting point than layers for warmth. Days reach 30°C on 31% of occasions, making a slower pace around midday sensible if you find heat tiring. Keep outdoor plans manageable and allow time to rest somewhere cool. The average night low of 22°C means evenings are warm rather than crisp, so do not count on sunset to make the city feel cool. This suits travellers comfortable with persistent warmth better than those seeking mild sightseeing weather.

Plan around rain, not guaranteed sunshine

The catch is the combination of frequent rain and limited sunshine. January averages about 2.1 hours of sunshine within 11.8 hours of daylight, so long daylight hours should not be mistaken for clear skies. Keep an umbrella or lightweight waterproof handy, choose footwear you can cope with getting wet, and leave room to rearrange outdoor plans. With about 21 rainy days, a completely dry stay is not something to build your trip around. That does not tell you when rain will fall, so avoid assuming mornings or evenings will always be dry. January works better for flexible city days than for a holiday built around being outdoors in sunshine.