Penang, Malaysia Climate & Monthly Averages
Penang has a tropical rainforest climate. March is the hottest month, averaging 85° by day; November is the coldest at 82°.
Rain, not cold, divides the year in 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.
The wet-and-dry rhythm at a glance
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.
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.
More climate facts for Penang
- 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%
Choosing the right part of the year in Penang
Choose dates by rain, not just temperature
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.
What the humidity changes
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.
Warm all year: the monthly rain pattern
Each card shows the average high and low. The bar places that month between Penang's coldest night and warmest afternoon.
January
- Rain
- 20 days
- Sunshine
- 9.4 h
- Daylight
- 11.8 h
February
- Rain
- 15 days
- Sunshine
- 10.2 h
- Daylight
- 11.9 h
March
- Rain
- 23 days
- Sunshine
- 10.3 h
- Daylight
- 12.1 h
April
- Rain
- 28 days
- Sunshine
- 9.6 h
- Daylight
- 12.2 h
May
- Rain
- 28 days
- Sunshine
- 8.8 h
- Daylight
- 12.4 h
June
- Rain
- 23 days
- Sunshine
- 9.3 h
- Daylight
- 12.4 h
July
- Rain
- 23 days
- Sunshine
- 9.4 h
- Daylight
- 12.4 h
August
- Rain
- 26 days
- Sunshine
- 9.2 h
- Daylight
- 12.3 h
September
- Rain
- 27 days
- Sunshine
- 8.4 h
- Daylight
- 12.1 h
October
- Rain
- 28 days
- Sunshine
- 8.2 h
- Daylight
- 12.0 h
November
- Rain
- 30 days
- Sunshine
- 7.8 h
- Daylight
- 11.9 h
December
- Rain
- 23 days
- Sunshine
- 8.4 h
- Daylight
- 11.8 h
Looking for warmer alternatives? Browse warm places by month, or compare Penang's coolest part of the year: November, October, December.
Monthly temperature and rain table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Daylight | Wet-day chance | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 83° | 74° | 20 | 5.7 in | 9.4 h/day | 11.8 h | 63% | 83% |
| February | 84° | 74° | 15 | 4.2 in | 10.2 h/day | 11.9 h | 53% | 79% |
| March | 85° | 75° | 23 | 6.9 in | 10.3 h/day | 12.1 h | 74% | 81% |
| April | 84° | 76° | 28 | 12.2 in | 9.6 h/day | 12.2 h | 93% | 85% |
| May | 84° | 76° | 28 | 15.9 in | 8.8 h/day | 12.4 h | 89% | 87% |
| June | 83° | 76° | 23 | 8.6 in | 9.3 h/day | 12.4 h | 77% | 85% |
| July | 83° | 76° | 23 | 7.5 in | 9.4 h/day | 12.4 h | 73% | 85% |
| August | 83° | 75° | 26 | 11.8 in | 9.2 h/day | 12.3 h | 84% | 85% |
| September | 82° | 75° | 27 | 12.8 in | 8.4 h/day | 12.1 h | 89% | 86% |
| October | 82° | 74° | 28 | 16.5 in | 8.2 h/day | 12.0 h | 92% | 88% |
| November | 82° | 74° | 30 | 16.0 in | 7.8 h/day | 11.9 h | 100% | 89% |
| December | 82° | 74° | 23 | 8.9 in | 8.4 h/day | 11.8 h | 75% | 86% |
How Penang compares for rain and warmth
- 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.
These comparisons use the same ten-year window for every city in the dataset.
How the calendar changes in warm-weather Penang
March through May
March through May in Penang is hot, with daytime highs averaging 84°F (29°C) and nights around 76°F (24°C); rain falls on around 78 of the 90 days.
June through August
June through August in Penang is hot, with daytime highs averaging 83°F (28°C) and nights around 76°F (24°C); rain falls on around 72 of the 90 days.
September through November
Through September through November, Penang brings hot afternoons: 82°F (28°C) by day, 74°F (24°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 85 of the 90 days.
December through February
December through February is hot here - highs near 83°F (28°C), nights near 74°F (23°C), and rain falls on around 58 of the 90 days.
Questions about heat and rain in Penang
Is Penang a wet city?
Is Penang humid?
Is Penang cold in winter?
Does Penang have seasons?
What should I wear in Penang?
Is Penang warmer or cooler than most cities?
Penang temperature extremes in the 2015–2024 dataset
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ. Need another precipitation unit? Use the rainfall converter.