Weather in George Town

Planning your day in George Town or preparing for a trip? Check out the most up-to-date weather data, forecasts, and useful charts right in this section.

George Town, located in Malaysia, features a typical tropical climate. This means that hot and humid weather prevails here throughout the year. Average annual temperatures fluctuate slightly, remaining in a comfortable range of about 27-28°C. Minimum night temperatures rarely drop below 24°C, and maximum day temperatures usually reach 29-30°C.

In George Town, there are no clearly defined seasons in the traditional sense, such as cold winters or hot dry summers. Instead, the weather is characterized by constant warmth and high humidity. Precipitation is a common occurrence throughout the year, as seen by the large number of rainy days each month. Although the amount of rainfall varies, the months with the highest amounts, such as October and November (10-13 mm of precipitation and up to 30 rainy days), can be considered the peak of the wet season. Nevertheless, even in relatively "dry" months, for example, January or February (about 4 mm of precipitation), rain is still likely.

Thus, travelers planning a trip to George Town should be prepared for warm, humid weather with a high probability of rain at any time of the year. Light, breathable clothing and an umbrella or raincoat will be your faithful companions while exploring this colorful city.

The temperature regime in George Town is characterized by stable warmth throughout the year, although there are slight monthly fluctuations that make some periods a bit hotter and others slightly milder. The annual range of average temperatures is small: from 26.9°C in November and December to 28.0°C in May. The hottest month by average temperature is May, while March boasts the highest daytime peaks, reaching an average of 30.6°C. The "coolest" months, if one can say so in a tropical climate, are considered November and December, when the average temperature holds at 26.9°C, and minimum night temperatures can drop to 24.6°C, which is also typical for January.

Since George Town is located in the tropics, there is no familiar division into hot summer and cold winter here. The weather feels constantly like summer, with high temperatures and humidity. Daytime highs throughout the year range from 28.9°C (in November, the lowest average maximum) to 30.6°C (in March), providing consistently hot conditions for a vacation. Nighttime temperatures also remain high, varying from 24.6°C (in January and December) to 25.8°C (in May). This means that even on the "coldest" nights, the temperature remains very comfortable for walks or relaxing outdoors.

Temperature fluctuations between day and night in George Town are relatively small. The difference between the average maximum and average minimum temperature during the month is usually between 4°C and 5.5°C. This means that evenings and nights in the city remain very warm, only slightly yielding to the daytime heat, and sharp temperature drops should not be expected. Such temperature stability makes planning activities for any time of day quite predictable in terms of thermal comfort.

In George Town, thanks to its tropical climate, precipitation is a frequent occurrence throughout the year. There is no clearly defined dry season when there is no rain at all. Instead, there are periods with greater or lesser intensity and frequency of precipitation. When preparing for a trip, it is worth considering that air humidity is usually high, and the probability of rain exists in practically any month.

In George Town, two main periods with increased rainfall can be distinguished. The first such period is observed from April to June: in April and May, rainfall amounts to 7-9 mm, with each of these months counting 28 rainy days, and in June, about 6 mm of precipitation falls with 24 rainy days. After a relative lull in July, the second, more intense wet season begins, lasting from August to November. During this period, the amount of precipitation gradually increases: in August and September, 8-9 mm falls (with 25-26 rainy days respectively), reaching peak values in October (about 10 mm, 28 rainy days) and especially in November. November is the rainiest month of the year: on average, 13 mm of precipitation falls, and it rains almost daily (30 rainy days). Characteristically, even in the wettest months, the average daily rainfall is low (for example, in November about 0.43 mm, and in other months with high rainfall, such as May or September, about 0.32-0.35 mm per day). This indicates that precipitation here most often takes the form of frequent but mainly light rains or prolonged drizzle, rather than heavy downpours.

Relatively "dry" months can be considered January, February, and July. During these periods, the average rainfall drops to 4 mm. February is distinguished by the fewest number of rainy days – on average 17. Nevertheless, even in these seemingly drier months, rain falls quite often, on more than half the days of the month. This emphasizes that a light raincoat or umbrella will be a useful addition to your luggage at any time of year when visiting George Town.

When packing your suitcase for a trip to George Town, it is important to consider its tropical climate, characterized by high temperature and humidity year-round, as well as frequent rainfall. The foundation of your wardrobe should be light, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics such as cotton or linen. Shorts, t-shirts, light dresses, and skirts will be the most comfortable. Despite the heat, it is worth taking a light cardigan or wrap for visiting air-conditioned rooms or in case of evening coolness, although the temperature at night rarely drops below 24-25°C.

Given the large number of rainy days throughout the year (from 17 in February to 30 in November), an umbrella or a light raincoat are mandatory attributes for a traveler in George Town. This is especially relevant if your trip falls during the wetter months, such as April-May or August-November, when rainfall reaches its maximum. Comfortable, water-resistant footwear for walking is also extremely important, as you will likely be walking a lot while exploring the city, and a sudden downpour is not uncommon. Do not forget sunscreen with high SPF, sunglasses, and a hat for protection from the intense tropical sun.

Since the weather can change during the day, the principle of layering is not as relevant here as in regions with large temperature changes. However, having a compact raincoat that can be quickly put on over your main clothes will be very practical. Also, insect repellent, especially for evening walks, and a reusable water bottle to maintain water balance in the hot and humid climate may prove useful.