Kota Kinabalu Weather & Climate: Best Time to Visit

With minimal seasonal shifts, Kota Kinabalu experiences a constant climate year-round. Typically, average maximum daytime temperatures range from a very warm 31°C (88°F) in May to a comfortable 29°C (84°F) in the coolest month, January.

Nights vary from 25°C (77°F) in May to around 24°C (75°F) during the colder months.

Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.

Temperature ranges by month

Kota Kinabalu has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 2495 mm (98 in) of rainfall per year. Kota Kinabalu offers a pleasant mix of wetter and slightly drier months. The difference in precipitation between the wettest month October (281 mm (11 in)) and the driest month March (147 mm (5.8 in)) is not too significant. For more details, please visit our Kota Kinabalu Precipitation page.

The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail, and snow

The average number of days each month with precipitation

Kota Kinabalu offers a pleasant mix of sunny and slightly overcast days. The difference in sunshine hours between April (8.2 hours daily) and September (6.0 hours daily) provides a bit of variety for visitors and residents.

Visit our detailed sunshine hours page for more information.

Monthly hours of sunshine

Daily hours of sunshine

The city experiences its highest humidity in November, reaching 83%. In August, the humidity drops to its lowest level at 78%. What does this mean? Read our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.

Relative humidity over the year

The mean wind speed over the year ranges from 1 m/s (2 knots) in January, February, March, April, May and December to 2 m/s (4 knots) in June, July, August, September, October and November. What does this mean?

The mean monthly wind speed over the year (meters per second)