Malaysia

Malaysia Weather in May

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Malaysia in May.

Thinking about venturing to Malaysia this May and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in Malaysia in May

The weather in Malaysia in May can be quite varied, with temperatures that range from warm to very warm and precipitation levels ranging from high to heavy.

Temperatures

Based on our climate data spanning from 1990-2020, the average maximum temperature is warm in Kundasang at 25°C (77°F) to very warm in Mentekab at 35°C (95°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 25°C (77°F) in Mentekab and 17°C (63°F) in Kundasang. The temperatures cited for both day and night represent usual averages, but it's possible some days could be hotter. It's advisable to dress accordingly to handle the heat.

For a closer look at conditions across Malaysia, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From high rainfall in Perhentian Island with an average of 106 mm (4.2 in) to heavy rainfall in Kundasang with 282 mm (11 in).

Average sunshine

Many locations offer abundant sunshine during this month. For instance, Kuala Lumpur enjoys approximately 207 hours of sunlight, ideal for those seeking sunny weather.

Explore Malaysia by month

Best Places to Visit in Malaysia in May

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Malaysia.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Malaysia

What is the weather like in May for some of the most popular destinations in Malaysia?

Temperature range in Malaysia (May)

Precipitation variation in Malaysia (May)

Kuala Lumpur

In May Kuala Lumpur generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 33°C (91°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 25°C (77°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
33°C (91°F)
33°C (91°F)
33°C (91°F)
Min temperature
24°C (75°F)
25°C (77°F)
25°C (77°F)
Monthly sun hours
199 hours
207 hours
194 hours
Monthly rainfall
251 mm (9.9 in)
192 mm (7.6 in)
126 mm (5 in)
Monthly rainy days
20 days
16 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Melaka

In May Melaka generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 31°C (88°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 26°C (79°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
31°C (88°F)
31°C (88°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
26°C (79°F)
26°C (79°F)
26°C (79°F)
Monthly sun hours
209 hours
212 hours
197 hours
Monthly rainfall
225 mm (8.9 in)
235 mm (9.3 in)
204 mm (8 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
16 days
13 days
Weather conditions

George Town

In May George Town generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 32°C (90°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 26°C (79°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
32°C (90°F)
32°C (90°F)
32°C (90°F)
Min temperature
26°C (79°F)
26°C (79°F)
26°C (79°F)
Monthly sun hours
192 hours
181 hours
173 hours
Monthly rainfall
229 mm (9 in)
236 mm (9.3 in)
172 mm (6.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
17 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Johor Bahru

In May Johor Bahru generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 32°C (90°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 26°C (79°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
32°C (90°F)
32°C (90°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
25°C (77°F)
26°C (79°F)
26°C (79°F)
Monthly sun hours
174 hours
180 hours
178 hours
Monthly rainfall
254 mm (10 in)
230 mm (9.1 in)
193 mm (7.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
14 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Kota Kinabalu

In May Kota Kinabalu generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 31°C (88°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 25°C (77°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
30°C (86°F)
Min temperature
25°C (77°F)
25°C (77°F)
25°C (77°F)
Monthly sun hours
247 hours
229 hours
198 hours
Monthly rainfall
173 mm (6.8 in)
210 mm (8.3 in)
222 mm (8.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
18 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Malaysia.

Popular cities in May

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Malaysia in May.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Kuala Lumpur 33°C (91°F) 25°C (77°F) 192 mm (7.6 in)
Melaka 31°C (88°F) 26°C (79°F) 235 mm (9.3 in)
George Town 32°C (90°F) 26°C (79°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Ipoh 32°C (90°F) 23°C (73°F) 205 mm (8.1 in)
Kuching 33°C (91°F) 24°C (75°F) 258 mm (10 in)
Tanah Rata 30°C (86°F) 21°C (70°F) 267 mm (11 in)

Malaysia weather in May: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Malaysia in May?

In May, Malaysia generally has poor weather conditions. Kuala Lumpur sees daytime temperatures near 33°C (91°F), with nights cooling to roughly 25°C (77°F).

What is the average temperature in Malaysia in May?

Kuala Lumpur averages a daytime maximum of 33°C (91°F) in May, with overnight lows close to 25°C (77°F).

Does Malaysia get a lot of rain in May?

Rainfall in Malaysia peaks during May. Kuala Lumpur averages roughly 192 mm (7.6 in), so frequent and sometimes heavy showers are the norm.

Is May a Good Time to Visit Malaysia?

Given the typically unpleasant weather conditions in Kuala Lumpur, May may not be the ideal time to visit Malaysia.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in offering mostly poor weather in Kuala Lumpur.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Malaysia.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Malaysia? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Malaysia.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.