Butterworth Temperature by Month
The average annual maximum temperature in Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia is 32°C (90°F), with little variation between seasons. This page covers monthly averages, day-night differences, and how Butterworth compares to cities worldwide.
Butterworth Monthly Temperatures
With minimal seasonal shifts, Butterworth experiences a constant climate year-round. Maximum daytime temperatures range from a very warm 33°C (91°F) in March to a very warm 31°C (88°F) in January. At night, temperatures range from 26°C (79°F) in March to 25°C (77°F) in January.
The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Butterworth by month:
The coolest part of the day is typically between 4 AM and 6 AM, while 3 PM is usually the warmest, when solar heating is at its peak. March, the city's warmest month, averages 201 hours of sunshine.
The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:
Temperature: Butterworth vs Malaysia
The map below shows the annual temperature across Malaysia. You can also select individual months if you want to compare a specific time of year.
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Butterworth vs World: Temperature Compared
Butterworth's average annual maximum temperature is 32°C (90°F). To put that in context, here's how it compares to a few well-known destinations:
Rome, Italy averages 20°C (68°F) annually, with reliably warm summers and comfortable winters.
Glasgow, Scotland averages 13°C (55°F) a year — mild but often grey, with cold winters and rarely hot summers.
New York City, USA averages 17°C (63°F) a year, with hot humid summers and cold winters that bring regular snowfall.
Perth, Australia averages 25°C (77°F) annually, with a classic Mediterranean climate — hot dry summers and mild wet winters.
What Does the Temperature Feel Like in Butterworth?
Temperature alone doesn't tell the whole story — humidity plays a big role in how warm or cold it actually feels. High humidity in summer makes the heat feel more intense, particularly once temperatures climb above 25°C. In winter, the same humidity can make cold air feel sharper than the thermometer suggests.
In Butterworth, January is the coolest month, with average highs of 32°C (90°F) and humidity around 75% — considered high. In March, the warmest month, temperatures average 33°C (91°F) with 81% humidity — conditions that feel very high. For a full picture, see our humidity page.
Climate temperature data is typically calculated as a 30-year average. This smooths out year-to-year variability and gives a more reliable picture of what a place is actually like, rather than what happened in any single unusual year.
The readings come from a range of sources — land-based weather stations, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. That data is collected by weather services around the world, then pooled, quality-checked, and averaged to produce the climate records you see here.
Global average temperatures have risen by around 1.2°C since the pre-industrial era, and the effects are visible across many regions. Winters are milder on average, with fewer frost days and less snow in many parts of the world. Heatwaves are more frequent and more intense, and Europe's summers of 2018, 2019, and 2020 all set records.
Summers are also getting drier in some areas, while winter rainfall has increased in others. This contributies to higher river levels and more flooding. In many countries, spring arrives earlier and autumn lasts longer. It has knock-on effects for wildlife, agriculture, and local ecosystems.
For more on Butterworth's weather — including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity — visit our Butterworth climate page.
