Penang, Malaysia Climate & Monthly Averages

The climate of Penang

There is not much of a seasonal calendar in Penang. Its warmest and coolest months differ by 1°C, against a dataset median nearer 15°C, which leaves 85°F (29°C) in March and 82°F (28°C) in November as the two ends of the year.

Climate quick facts

• Hottest month: March - highs near 85°F (29°C)
• Coldest month: November - highs near 82°F (28°C)
• Decade extremes (2015-2024): 92°F (34°C) high · 70°F (21°C) low
• Wettest month: October (28 rainy days) · Sunniest: March (10.3 h sun/day)
• Climate type: tropical rainforest
• Annual swing: 1°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 5°C
• Average humidity: 85%

Temperatures through the year

Sunshine averages 9.1 hours a day over the year, peaking in March at 10.3 hours. November is the coolest month, with highs of 82°F (28°C) and lows near 74°F (24°C). At its warmest, in March, Penang runs to 85°F (29°C) in the afternoon and back to 75°F (24°C) by dawn. Across the gridded 2015-2024 daily record, the highest daily maximum for this location was 92°F (34°C) and the lowest daily minimum 70°F (21°C). The wettest month is October (16.5 inches (419 mm) across 28 days) and the driest February.

Rain, sun and snow

Relative humidity averages 85% across the year, more humid than 97% of the 3496 cities in our dataset - enough that summer afternoons feel hotter than the thermometer says, which is what the dew point converter is for. Days and nights are about 5°C apart on average - narrower than almost anywhere else we cover.

How Penang compares

• Annual precipitation is 127.0 inches (3226 mm) - wetter than any other city in our 3496-city dataset.
• Rain or snow reaches the ground on 293 days a year - more wet days than any other city in our 3496-city dataset.
• Its warmest and coolest months are 1°C apart - a steadier year than almost every other city we track.

Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.

Best time to visit Penang

Aim for April to July and January to February if you get the choice: humidity and rainfall are at their lowest, which is what actually varies here, and highs average 84°F (29°C) against roughly 23 wet days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in April.

Pack for Penang with light clothing for the warm months, proper waterproofs rather than an umbrella - wet days are the norm here and moisture-wicking fabrics for the humidity. March nights average 75°F (24°C), so evenings rarely match the afternoons.