Malaysia Kota Kinabalu Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Kota Kinabalu is high
January is high for Kota Kinabalu.
Peak Korean + Japanese tourist season. Hotels surge. Some afternoon thunderstorms.
Travel score
Kota Kinabalu January Weather Stats
Avg High
30°C
Avg Low
24°C
Rainy Days
13
180mm total
Sunshine
6h
Daily avg
Humidity
82%
high
UV Index
10
Very high
Wind
10 km/h
Gusts 25
Sea Temp
28°C
swimming
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
12 μg/m³
PM10
22 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
33°C
Nighttime
25°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
10 km/h
Max gust 25 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Christmas-New Year peak
- Lunar New Year
- Warm 24-30°C
Cons
- Hotels surge
- Afternoon thunderstorms
January Events & Festivals
- Christmas-New Year peak
- Lunar New Year overlap
Kota Kinabalu in January — Full Picture
Peak Korean + Japanese tourist season. Hotels surge. Some afternoon thunderstorms.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Tropical light + rain jacket.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
31.7°C
24.7°C
8/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
31°C
24°C
9.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
31°C
24°C
13.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current30.3°C
24°C
11.3/mo
Kota Kinabalu Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30° | 24° | 13d·180mm | 6h | 82% | 10 | Very busy | Peak | |
| February (Best) | 31° | 24° | 9d·130mm | 7h | 80% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
| March (Best) | 31° | 24° | 7d·90mm | 8h | 78% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder |
| April (Best) | 32° | 25° | 8d·100mm | 8h | 80% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder |
| May (Best) | 32° | 25° | 9d·130mm | 8h | 80% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 31° | 24° | 9d·130mm | 8h | 80% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder |
| July (Best) | 31° | 24° | 9d·120mm | 8h | 80% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 31° | 24° | 10d·150mm | 7h | 80% | 10 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 31° | 24° | 12d·200mm | 7h | 82% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 24° | 14d·280mm | 6h | 84% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 24° | 14d·280mm | 6h | 84% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 30° | 24° | 12d·200mm | 6h | 82% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Kota Kinabalu January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu in January is high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Kota Kinabalu in January?
Kota Kinabalu January averages a high of 30°C and a low of 24°C.
Does it rain much in Kota Kinabalu in January?
Kota Kinabalu January averages 180mm of rainfall over about 13 rainy days.
What should I wear in Kota Kinabalu in January?
Tropical light + rain jacket.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Kota Kinabalu in January?
Kota Kinabalu January sunrise is 06:30 and sunset is 18:25, with 11h 55min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Kota Kinabalu in January?
Kota Kinabalu January air quality (AQI) averages 35, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 12μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Kota Kinabalu in January?
In January, Kota Kinabalu is great for Tunku Abdul Rahman, KK City, Mari Mari.
Is January peak season in Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu January crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Kota Kinabalu
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.