Malaysia · 30-year monthly climate averages
Based on 30 years of climate data, the most comfortable months to visit Kota Kinabalu are January, February and March, when daytime temperatures are agreeable and rainfall is relatively low.
Kota Kinabalu sees its warmest weather in May, when daytime highs average around 33°C, and its coolest in January (around 31°C).
Annual precipitation totals roughly 2718mm — October is typically the wettest month (~387mm) and February the driest (~78mm).
A distinctly wetter period runs from April to January — worth planning around if you prefer dry days.
🟧 avg daytime high · 🟦 dashed: avg nighttime low · bars: monthly rainfall
Daily forecast highs vs the 30-year normal — last 61 days
Each bar is one day: orange above normal, blue below.
| Month | High / Low | Rainfall | Travel rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31° / 24°C | 141mm | 🤔 Fair |
| February | 31° / 24°C | 78mm | 👍 Good |
| March | 32° / 24°C | 93mm | 🤔 Fair |
| April | 33° / 25°C | 123mm | 🤔 Fair |
| May | 33° / 25°C | 212mm | ⚠️ Challenging |
| June | 33° / 24°C | 284mm | ⚠️ Challenging |
| July | 32° / 24°C | 288mm | ⚠️ Challenging |
| August | 32° / 24°C | 279mm | ⚠️ Challenging |
| September | 32° / 24°C | 287mm | ⚠️ Challenging |
| October | 32° / 24°C | 387mm | ⚠️ Challenging |
| November | 32° / 24°C | 283mm | ⚠️ Challenging |
| December | 32° / 24°C | 262mm | ⚠️ Challenging |
January in Kota Kinabalu is hot, with average daytime highs around 31°C (88°F) and nighttime lows near 24°C (74°F). Expect roughly 141mm of precipitation spread over about 9 rainy days, and this is one of the wetter months.
🎒 What to pack — breathable summer clothing · sunscreen, hat and sunglasses · refillable water bottle · compact umbrella or rain jacket
February in Kota Kinabalu is hot, with average daytime highs around 31°C (89°F) and nighttime lows near 24°C (74°F). Expect roughly 78mm of precipitation spread over about 7 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
🎒 What to pack — breathable summer clothing · sunscreen, hat and sunglasses · refillable water bottle
March in Kota Kinabalu is hot, with average daytime highs around 32°C (90°F) and nighttime lows near 24°C (75°F). Expect roughly 93mm of precipitation spread over about 7 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
🎒 What to pack — breathable summer clothing · sunscreen, hat and sunglasses · refillable water bottle
April in Kota Kinabalu is hot, with average daytime highs around 33°C (91°F) and nighttime lows near 25°C (76°F). Expect roughly 123mm of precipitation spread over about 9 rainy days, and this is one of the wetter months.
🎒 What to pack — breathable summer clothing · sunscreen, hat and sunglasses · refillable water bottle · compact umbrella or rain jacket
May in Kota Kinabalu is hot, with average daytime highs around 33°C (92°F) and nighttime lows near 25°C (76°F). Expect roughly 212mm of precipitation spread over about 12 rainy days, and heavy rainfall is common — this is peak wet season territory.
🎒 What to pack — breathable summer clothing · sunscreen, hat and sunglasses · refillable water bottle · compact umbrella or rain jacket
June in Kota Kinabalu is hot, with average daytime highs around 33°C (91°F) and nighttime lows near 24°C (76°F). Expect roughly 284mm of precipitation spread over about 13 rainy days, and heavy rainfall is common — this is peak wet season territory.
🎒 What to pack — breathable summer clothing · sunscreen, hat and sunglasses · refillable water bottle · compact umbrella or rain jacket
July in Kota Kinabalu is hot, with average daytime highs around 32°C (90°F) and nighttime lows near 24°C (75°F). Expect roughly 288mm of precipitation spread over about 14 rainy days, and heavy rainfall is common — this is peak wet season territory.
🎒 What to pack — breathable summer clothing · sunscreen, hat and sunglasses · refillable water bottle · compact umbrella or rain jacket
August in Kota Kinabalu is hot, with average daytime highs around 32°C (90°F) and nighttime lows near 24°C (75°F). Expect roughly 279mm of precipitation spread over about 14 rainy days, and heavy rainfall is common — this is peak wet season territory.
🎒 What to pack — breathable summer clothing · sunscreen, hat and sunglasses · refillable water bottle · compact umbrella or rain jacket
September in Kota Kinabalu is hot, with average daytime highs around 32°C (90°F) and nighttime lows near 24°C (75°F). Expect roughly 287mm of precipitation spread over about 14 rainy days, and heavy rainfall is common — this is peak wet season territory.
🎒 What to pack — breathable summer clothing · sunscreen, hat and sunglasses · refillable water bottle · compact umbrella or rain jacket
October in Kota Kinabalu is hot, with average daytime highs around 32°C (89°F) and nighttime lows near 24°C (75°F). Expect roughly 387mm of precipitation spread over about 18 rainy days, and heavy rainfall is common — this is peak wet season territory.
🎒 What to pack — breathable summer clothing · sunscreen, hat and sunglasses · refillable water bottle · compact umbrella or rain jacket
November in Kota Kinabalu is hot, with average daytime highs around 32°C (89°F) and nighttime lows near 24°C (75°F). Expect roughly 283mm of precipitation spread over about 16 rainy days, and heavy rainfall is common — this is peak wet season territory.
🎒 What to pack — breathable summer clothing · sunscreen, hat and sunglasses · refillable water bottle · compact umbrella or rain jacket
December in Kota Kinabalu is hot, with average daytime highs around 32°C (89°F) and nighttime lows near 24°C (75°F). Expect roughly 262mm of precipitation spread over about 14 rainy days, and heavy rainfall is common — this is peak wet season territory.
🎒 What to pack — breathable summer clothing · sunscreen, hat and sunglasses · refillable water bottle · compact umbrella or rain jacket