Climate Overview
Kuala Lumpur has a tropical climate with 32–34°C highs and 78–86% humidity year-round — there is no cool season. Rain is frequent every month (138–378mm) with peaks in Mar and Nov; Jun–Jul are the relatively driest. Expect daily afternoon thunderstorms; plan outdoor sights for mornings regardless of month.
Monthly Climate
Temperature range, rainfall, and humidity by month
Monthly Data
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32.3° | 24.5° | 318mm | 85% |
| Feb | 33.5° | 24.8° | 171mm | 76% |
| Mar | 33.5° | 25.2° | 223mm | 81% |
| Apr | 33.6° | 24.9° | 583mm | 85% |
| May | 34.1° | 25.9° | 205mm | 83% |
| Jun | 34.3° | 25.6° | 97mm | 74% |
| Jul | 34.1° | 26° | 58mm | 66% |
| Aug | 33.8° | 25° | 232mm | 74% |
| Sep | 32.8° | 25° | 195mm | 77% |
| Oct | 33.1° | 25° | 156mm | 77% |
| Nov | 32.5° | 25.1° | 454mm | 80% |
| Dec | 32.2° | 24.6° | 279mm | 84% |
When to Visit
Experiences to seek out and peak periods to plan around
Experiences & Highlights
Over a million devotees climb the 272 steps to the Batu Caves temple bearing kavadi; the pre-dawn procession from Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Chinatown is the biggest Tamil Hindu festival outside India.
Petaling Street and Thean Hou Temple light up with red lanterns; February's 138mm rainfall (the driest month) and lower 78% humidity make open-air lion dances and reunion-dinner hawker crawls comfortable.
Ramadan bazaars along Jalan Masjid India and Kampung Baru sell bubur lambuk and satay until iftar; the post-fasting Hari Raya open houses at Istana Negara run for two days after the new moon.
Independence Day (31 Aug) parade at Dataran Merdeka and Malaysia Day (16 Sep) fireworks over KLCC; falls in the drier southwest-monsoon window (July rainfall averages 180mm, the second-lowest of the year).
Peak Periods & Travel Advisories
The wettest stretch of the year: November averages 378mm and humidity climbs to 86%. Afternoon thunderstorms flood Bukit Bintang streets and cause Genting Highlands road closures — plan indoor KLCC / Pavilion time after 3pm.
Hotel rates in KLCC and Bukit Bintang spike 40–70% for the week around CNY; flights from Singapore, Jakarta and Guangzhou sell out 6+ weeks ahead and many Chinese-run restaurants close for 2–3 days.
The balik kampung exodus empties KL for a week — intercity trains and North-South Expressway jam, KLIA departures peak, and many family-run shops in Kampung Baru and Masjid India shut; hotels discount mid-week while locals travel.
Official Resources
Government portals and tourism boards for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia