Kota Kinabalu Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Kota Kinabalu. The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Now, let’s explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Kota Kinabalu experiences significant rainfall throughout the year, averaging 2495 mm of precipitation annually.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm)

While rainfall varies throughout the year, each season offers its own charm. October brings wetter days averaging 281 mm of precipitation, spread over 23 rainy days.

In contrast, March experiences a drier climate, with about 147 mm of rainfall spread across 11 rainy days.

October, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 30°C. During the driest month March you can expect a temperature of 30°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Kota Kinabalu Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in Malaysia

The map below shows the annual precipitation across Malaysia. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Kota Kinabalu’s average annual precipitation is 2495 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Seville, Spain, experiences 541 mm of rainfall annually, with wet winters and dry summers typical of southern Spain.

Meanwhile, Buenos Aires, Argentina, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with 1000 mm of annual rainfall, mostly in the summer.

Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, receives 1955 mm of annual rainfall, with a pronounced wet season from May to November, typical of its tropical monsoon climate.

How is Precipitation Measured?

Precipitation amounts are measured using specific gauges installed at weather stations, collecting both rain and snow and any other type of precipitation. Rainfall is measured directly in millimeters, while that from snow and ice is obtained by melting it. Automated systems often incorporate heaters to make this easier.

Information from these stations is transmitted via Wi-Fi, satellite, GPS, or telephone connections to central monitoring networks. This information is immediately updated and integrated into weather models and forecasts.

Interesting weather facts

• "Ginger" was the longest-lasting Atlantic tropical storm, which spun around the open ocean for 28 days in 1971.
• The world's largest snowflake was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, at 38 cm wide and 20 cm thick. The snowflake fell at Fort Keogh, Montana, USA, on 28 January 1887.
• The greatest snowfall recorded was on Mt. Rainier, Washington State, USA—over 31.5 meters fell during the winter of 1972.

For more detailed information about Kota Kinabalu’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Kota Kinabalu Climate page.