Malaysia Weather & Climate: Monthly Averages

Malaysia has a tropical rainforest climate with high temperatures and significant rainfall throughout the year. You can expect maximum daytime temperatures of between 26°C (79°F) and 33°C (91°F), while minimum nighttime temperatures range between 20°C (68°F) and 26°C (79°F) in much of the country. Due to the heat and large amounts of rain, high humidity can be expected in most places.

Climate in the Highlands

The only exception to the tropical heat is the mountainous interior of western Malaysia. In the popular Cameron Highlands, at an altitude of about 1400-1500 meters (4593 - 4921 ft), daytime temperatures average between 20°C (68°F) and 24°C (75°F), while nighttime temperatures drop significantly to between 12°C (54°F) and 18°C (64°F).

Rainy Seasons in Malaysia

The main rainy season in the east of Malaysia runs between November and February, while August is the wettest period on the west coast. During this time, it rains almost every day for long periods, with monthly rainfall totals ranging from 400 mm (16 in) to nearly 600 mm (24 in). The number of sunshine hours during this period is limited to an average of only four hours per day.

In the west, rainfall is more evenly spread throughout the year, but the southwest monsoon dominates from May through October. Here, the rainy season takes a different form, with most rain falling in the late afternoon and at night.

Best Time to Visit Malaysia

There is no single best travel time that applies to the entire country, but if we had to choose, June through early September would be the best period to visit Malaysia. However, July and August are also considered high season, making them the most expensive months to travel to Malaysia.