Kundasang

Sabah Weather in March

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

Are you planning a trip a to Sabah, Malaysia in March and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.

What to Expect in Sabah in March

Sabah, Malaysia is a region in Malaysia. March in Sabah generally has temperatures that range from warm to very warm, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from warm in Kundasang at 24°C (75°F) to very warm in Sandakan at 33°C (91°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 24°C (75°F) in Sandakan and 17°C (63°F) in Kundasang. The temperatures mentioned for daytime and nighttime are general averages. However there can be days that surpass these temperatures. So equip yourself with clothing that can handle the potential heat.

To explore the conditions in Sabah, Malaysia in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In March, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Mantanani Island with an average of 72 mm (2.8 in) to heavy rainfall in Sandakan with 209 mm (8.2 in). Going by our weather data, this month in Kota Kinabalu usually has the least rain, making it the driest month of the year.

Average sunshine

Sunshine is generally plentiful throughout many areas. Kota Kinabalu enjoys about 235 hours of sunlight, ideal for those seeking sunny weather.

Explore Sabah by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Sabah — and find the best time to visit. (based on Kota Kinabalu)

Best Places to Visit in Sabah in March

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

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 Sabah

What is the weather like in March for some of the most popular destinations in Sabah, Malaysia?

Temperature range in Sabah (March)

Precipitation variation in Sabah (March)

Kota Kinabalu

In March Kota Kinabalu generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 24°C (75°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
29°C (84°F)
30°C (86°F)
30°C (86°F)
Min temperature
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
25°C (77°F)
Monthly sun hours
196 hours
235 hours
247 hours
Monthly rainfall
158 mm (6.2 in)
147 mm (5.8 in)
173 mm (6.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
11 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Sandakan

In March Sandakan generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 33°C (91°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 24°C (75°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
32°C (90°F)
33°C (91°F)
34°C (93°F)
Min temperature
23°C (73°F)
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
Monthly sun hours
231 hours
238 hours
226 hours
Monthly rainfall
247 mm (9.7 in)
209 mm (8.2 in)
185 mm (7.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
14 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Ranau

In March Ranau generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 19°C (66°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
29°C (84°F)
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
19°C (66°F)
19°C (66°F)
20°C (68°F)
Monthly sun hours
196 hours
235 hours
247 hours
Monthly rainfall
152 mm (6 in)
144 mm (5.7 in)
155 mm (6.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
13 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Semporna

In March Semporna 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 tolerable that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
25°C (77°F)
25°C (77°F)
26°C (79°F)
Monthly rainfall
163 mm (6.4 in)
163 mm (6.4 in)
171 mm (6.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
14 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Bilit

In March Bilit generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 33°C (91°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 23°C (73°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
32°C (90°F)
33°C (91°F)
34°C (93°F)
Min temperature
23°C (73°F)
23°C (73°F)
23°C (73°F)
Monthly sun hours
231 hours
238 hours
226 hours
Monthly rainfall
240 mm (9.4 in)
208 mm (8.2 in)
189 mm (7.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
14 days
11 days
Weather conditions

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

In our records: Malaysia March extremes

Notable March records observed across cities in Malaysia in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • Based on our data, the coldest March night in Malaysia dropped to 10°C (50°F) in Kuala Terengganu on March 14, 2020.

Popular cities in March

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Sabah in March.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Kota Kinabalu 30°C (86°F) 24°C (75°F) 147 mm (5.8 in)
Sandakan 33°C (91°F) 24°C (75°F) 209 mm (8.2 in)
Ranau 30°C (86°F) 19°C (66°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
Semporna 31°C (88°F) 25°C (77°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
Bilit 33°C (91°F) 23°C (73°F) 208 mm (8.2 in)
Sepilok 31°C (88°F) 25°C (77°F) 192 mm (7.6 in)

Sabah weather in March: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Sabah, Malaysia in March?

Expect unpleasant weather across Sabah, Malaysia in March. The popular destination of Kota Kinabalu averages 30°C (86°F) by day and 24°C (75°F) at night during this month.

What is the average temperature in Sabah, Malaysia in March?

Average temperatures in Sabah, Malaysia during March range from a nighttime low near 24°C (75°F) to a daytime high around 30°C (86°F) in Kota Kinabalu.

Does Sabah, Malaysia get a lot of rain in March?

Sabah, Malaysia sees substantial rainfall in March. Kota Kinabalu typically averages about 147 mm (5.8 in), a mix of wet and dry days, but bring an umbrella.

Is March a Good Time to Visit Sabah, Malaysia?

In our opinion, March is a good time to visit Sabah, Malaysia with overall tolerable weather in Kota Kinabalu. However, the weather conditions may vary depending on your destination.

On average, the best time to visit Sabah, Malaysia is in February with generally pleasant weather in Kota Kinabalu. On the other hand, the weather in May, June, July, August, September, October and November tend to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Sabah.

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.

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