Kota Kinabalu Weather
A month-by-month look at temperature, rainfall and what to pack in Kota Kinabalu. The annual average is 31°C high / 24°C low — hottest in April (32°C) and coldest in January (24°C).
Kota Kinabalu Weather at a Glance
As of 2026A quick summary of Kota Kinabalu's year-round climate and the best time to visit.
- Annual average
- 31° / 24°
- Best time to visit
- March, April, June
- Hottest month
- April (32°C)
- Coldest month
- January (24°C)
- Wettest month
- October (280mm)
- Driest month
- March (90mm)
As of 2026, Kota Kinabalu's weather averages 31°C high / 24°C low across the year, and the best time to visit for stable temperatures, rainfall and crowds is March, April, June. The hottest month is April (32°C), the coldest is January (24°C), and the wettest is October (280mm).
Best Time to Visit Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu Weather Month by Month
Tap any month for a detailed guide with what to wear, sunrise/sunset and air quality.
| Month | High/Low | Rain | Rainy days | Crowds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30° / 24° | 180mm | 13 | Very busy | Details → |
| February | 31° / 24° | 130mm | 9 | Very busy | Details → |
| March | 31° / 24° | 90mm | 7 | Busy | Details → |
| April | 32° / 25° | 100mm | 8 | Busy | Details → |
| May | 32° / 25° | 130mm | 9 | Very busy | Details → |
| June | 31° / 24° | 130mm | 9 | Busy | Details → |
| July | 31° / 24° | 120mm | 9 | Very busy | Details → |
| August | 31° / 24° | 150mm | 10 | Busy | Details → |
| September | 31° / 24° | 200mm | 12 | Moderate | Details → |
| October | 31° / 24° | 280mm | 14 | Moderate | Details → |
| November | 31° / 24° | 280mm | 14 | Moderate | Details → |
| December | 30° / 24° | 200mm | 12 | Very busy | Details → |
What to Wear in Kota Kinabalu by Season
Hot tropical.
Hot tropical.
Tropical + monsoon.
Tropical light.
Kota Kinabalu Weather FAQ
What is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu? +
For weather, March, April, June are the most comfortable months. Highs sit around 31°C with relatively stable rainfall and crowds.
What are the hottest and coldest months in Kota Kinabalu? +
The hottest month is April with an average high of 32°C, and the coldest is January with an average low of 24°C. The annual average is 31°C high / 24°C low.
When does it rain most in Kota Kinabalu? +
The wettest month is October (280mm over about 14 rainy days) and the driest is March (90mm). Total annual rainfall is roughly 1990mm.
What should I pack for Kota Kinabalu? +
Spring (Mar–May) averages 32/25°C — Hot tropical. Summer (Jun–Aug) averages 31/24°C — Hot tropical. Autumn (Sep–Nov) averages 31/24°C — Tropical + monsoon. Winter (Dec–Feb) averages 30/24°C — Tropical light.
What is the weather in Kota Kinabalu this month (June)? +
June averages 31°C high / 24°C low with 130mm rainfall over about 9 rainy days. Crowds are busy and prices are moderate.
Keep Planning Your Kota Kinabalu Trip
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.