Today's weather for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia21st Aug 2008 11:00

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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 as well as in size. It’s situated in the central region of the country towards the west coast and sits it 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 at 27C or 28C throughout the year. The temperature varies from lows of around 22C to highs of around 33C. 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 recorded in the city are 37C high and 19C low.

Monsoon rains hit Kuala Lumpur between September and April. The wettest months occur and 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 are the driest of this season.

Since Kuala Lumpur is sheltered by mountains to the east and two the west the rains are not as heavy as some other nearby regions, such as Singapore. Although they provide some protection from the worst of the regions storms, prolonged heavy rainfall can occur and the city and surrounds can become at risk of 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.

Although rain occurs throughout the year, the driest period of the year as a whole is June to August, seeing around 150mm 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.

As a whole, 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.

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