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Weather Overview for Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, is one of Southeast Asia's fastest growing cities both economically and in physical size. It’s situated in the central region of the country towards the west coast in the Klang valley, bordered by the Titiwangsa Mountain range to the east. The name Kuala Lumpur literally means ‘muddy confluence’ in Malay as it is situated at the meeting point of the Klang and Gombak rivers.

Kuala Lumpur has an equatorial climate defined by hot year round temperatures and plentiful rainfall. The Titiwangsa Mountains in the west and the mountainous Indonesian island of Sumatra to the east offer protection to the city and influence its climate.

Being close to the equator, temperatures are hot year round and vary very little with averages sitting between 27°C and 28°C for the year. The temperature varies from lows of around 22°C to highs of around 33°C. The months of December to February are slighter cooler but only by a degree or two. March and April are usually the warmest months, but again the difference is minimal. Record temperatures in the city are 37°C high and 19°C low.

The southwest monsoon rains hit Kuala Lumpur between September and April but rainfall is not high throughout the season. The wettest months occur at either end of this period: March to April and September to November. October and April are the wettest with 280mm average rainfall. The middle months of January and February some of the driest in the year and considered the best time to visit as temperatures are also slightly reduced and made to feel even cooler by lower humidity.

As Kuala Lumpur is sheltered by mountains to the east and west, the rains are not as heavy as in other nearby regions, such as Singapore. Although the mountains provide protection from the worst of the region’s storms, prolonged heavy rainfall can occur and the city can see flash flooding. For the most part, rainfall occurs in heavy but brief afternoon downpours so there is still plenty of dry weather even in the wettest months.

One of the driest periods of the year is from June to August, seeing around 150mm on average per month, and this is a good time to visit Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur is humid year round with the yearly average more than 80%. In the wettest months humidity can climb into the 90s making the heat feel more uncomfortable. The mornings are the most humid time of time; the level drops by the afternoon.

Kuala Lumpur’s weather is good year round so there is never really a bad time to visit this vibrant city. You are guaranteed warm temperatures and the balmy evenings mean you never have cause for a jacket.