Kuala Lumpur weather at a glance
The climate is warm and humid in every month. Daily highs average between 31.5 and 33.2 °C, and daily lows between 22.5 and 23.9 °C. Rain falls in every month, and the differences between months are about how much, not whether.
The figures below are long-term monthly averages for 1971 to 2000. They describe the usual pattern and are not a forecast for your dates or a measurement for 2026. If you are planning a day at the temple, read this page together with the Batu Caves tours and a look at the current forecast.
Kuala Lumpur weather by month
Average daily high and low, and average monthly rainfall, 1971 to 2000.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32.1 °C | 22.5 °C | 169.5 mm |
| February | 32.9 °C | 22.8 °C | 165.4 mm |
| March | 33.2 °C | 23.2 °C | 240.9 mm |
| April | 33.1 °C | 23.7 °C | 259.2 mm |
| May | 32.9 °C | 23.9 °C | 204.4 mm |
| June | 32.7 °C | 23.6 °C | 125.3 mm |
| July | 32.3 °C | 23.2 °C | 127.2 mm |
| August | 32.3 °C | 23.1 °C | 155.7 mm |
| September | 32.1 °C | 23.2 °C | 192.8 mm |
| October | 32.1 °C | 23.2 °C | 253.1 mm |
| November | 31.6 °C | 23.2 °C | 287.8 mm |
| December | 31.5 °C | 22.9 °C | 245.7 mm |
The high and low are averages of the daily extremes, not record values. The table covers Kuala Lumpur only, not the temple caves or Genting Highlands. For most visitors, June and July are the drier part of the year in these averages, and an early start works in any month.
Our pick: a half-day by car
A private car from your hotel makes it easy to shift the plan around a rainy spell.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Batu Caves and Kuala Lumpur tours and day trips
Half-day trips and city tours, with live prices and availability.
Best time to visit Kuala Lumpur
A trade-off between rain, heat and crowds.
There is no dry season in Kuala Lumpur, so the best time to visit is a relative choice. In the averages above, June and July have lower rainfall totals than October and November. That is a tendency in long-term data and not a promise of a dry trip, and no month is free of rain.
The warmth barely changes through the year. Highs stay within about 1.7 degrees of each other, so the real difference is rain and storms. If you want the lowest average rainfall, aim for June or July. If you travel in the wetter months, plan indoor stops such as museums for the afternoon and keep the outdoor sights for the morning.
Monsoons and afternoon thunderstorms
Why mornings are often clearer.
Two monsoons
The southwest monsoon runs from about late May to September, and the northeast monsoon from November to March. The heavy rain of the northeast monsoon hits the east coast of the peninsula and parts of Borneo hardest. Kuala Lumpur does not follow the same rain curve as the east coast.
Transition months
Thunderstorms are most frequent in the transition phases, especially April to May and October to November. They can happen at any other time too.
Mornings versus afternoons
Mornings are often clearer. Thunderstorms usually build in the afternoon or evening. That is why an early start is the practical plan for outdoor sights.
If a storm is forecast
Postpone outdoor activities, and shelter in a solid building or a car. Do not shelter under a single tree. On the temple steps, that means coming down before the sky darkens.
Heat, humidity and air quality
What to check before an outdoor day.
It is warm and humid all year, so carry water and plan shade breaks. Check current thunderstorm and heavy rain warnings before you head outdoors. The monthly averages above cannot tell you about warnings.
German travel advice notes ongoing cross-border air pollution on the peninsula, with the Kuala Lumpur area needing particular attention. Check the current air quality before you plan a long outdoor day.
Planning Batu Caves around the weather
Practical rules for the steps and the caves.
Plan Batu Caves for the early part of the day. This is a suggestion based on the usual pattern, not a guarantee of fewer visitors or dry steps. The climb has 272 steps, and the steps are open to the sky, so a sudden storm is a real factor. See the steps and the opening hours.
Thaipusam is a separate planning factor. In 2027 it falls on Friday, 22 January. Expect a very different day at the temple then. Read the Thaipusam page before you choose that date.
For a fast route from the city, see how to get to Batu Caves.
Kuala Lumpur weather: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Kuala Lumpur?
No month is dry. In the long-term averages, June and July have the lowest rainfall, at 125.3 mm and 127.2 mm. That is a tendency, not a promise.
Which months are the wettest?
In the averages for 1971 to 2000, November is the wettest at 287.8 mm, followed by April at 259.2 mm and October at 253.1 mm.
When are thunderstorms most likely?
Most often in the transition phases, especially April to May and October to November, and usually in the afternoon or evening. They can happen at other times too.
How hot is Kuala Lumpur?
The average daily high ranges from 31.5 °C in December to 33.2 °C in March. The average daily low ranges from 22.5 °C in January to 23.9 °C in May.
Are these figures the current weather?
No. They are long-term monthly averages for 1971 to 2000. They show the usual pattern, not a forecast or a measurement for 2026.