Last updated: August 21, 2025
Kota Kinabalu in January offers a warm tropical climate marked by average temperatures hovering around 27°C (81°F), with maximum highs reaching up to 31°C (87°F) and minimums dipping to 24°C (75°F). Expect a high humidity level of 90%, contributing to a feeling of warmth and stickiness. Rainfall is considerable, with an average precipitation of 195 mm (7.7 in) spread over 18 days, making it a month to keep your umbrella handy. Whether you're exploring the vibrant city or indulging in its beautiful coastlines, embracing the lush greenery nourished by the rain is part of the charm of visiting during this time.
In January, Kota Kinabalu welcomes the new year with temperatures that range from a comfortable 24°C (75°F) at night to a warm 31°C (87°F) during the day, resulting in an average of 27°C (81°F). This month marks the peak of the city's dry season, where the consistently mild conditions provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures. As the months transition into February and March, the temperatures remain stable, hovering between 24°C at night and 30–31°C during the day. By April, the warmth slightly intensifies, with highs reaching 31°C (88°F) and a bump in the average temperature to 28°C (82°F). However, despite the heat, the nights remain pleasantly cool at 25°C (76°F). As the year progresses into summer months like June through September, the maximum temperatures peak at around 32°C (90°F), but the average remains comfortably steady at 28°C (82°F). The cycle continues into the fall, where temperatures drop slightly, offering relief with averages around 27°C (81°F) in October and further cooling as December approaches, reflecting the tropical serenity of Kota Kinabalu throughout the year.
In Kota Kinabalu, January marks the start of the year with 195 mm (7.7 in) of precipitation spread across 18 rainy days. This significant amount sets a tone for the wetter months ahead, as rainfall tends to increase drastically toward the middle and end of the year. Comparatively, the months following January show a notable decrease in precipitation through February and March, where rainfall dips to 108 mm (4.2 in) and 97 mm (3.8 in), respectively. However, the weather soon shifts again, and by June, Kota Kinabalu experiences its peak rainfall of 229 mm (9.0 in), continuing into the late year with more than 300 mm in October. This clear upward trend in precipitation across the months underscores the region's tropical climate, marked by an alternating pattern of wet and dry spells, making January a vital indicator of the wetter season that lies ahead.
In January, Kota Kinabalu experiences its highest humidity levels of the year at a remarkable 90%. This notable moisture in the air sets the tone for a tropical climate that persists throughout the early months, with February and March witnessing only a slight decline to 89% and 87%, respectively. As the year progresses into the warmer months, humidity begins to show a gentle downward trend, dipping to 82% in April. However, it slightly rebounds in May, reaching 85%. The humidity remains fairly stable during the mid-year, oscillating between 86% and 88% from July to August, before climbing back to 90% in September, creating a cycle of high moisture that characterizes Kota Kinabalu’s lush, tropical environment. The transition into October through December sees a gradual return to mid-80s humidity, encapsulating Kota Kinabalu's characteristic dampness throughout the year.
In Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, January boasts a notably high UV Index of 13, categorizing it as an extreme exposure period with a burn time of just 10 minutes. This sets the stage for the coming months, as the UV Index tends to rise further, peaking at 16 in March and April. The consistency of extreme UV levels throughout the early months highlights the need for caution, as February follows closely with a UV Index of 15. Even as the year progresses, values remain high, hovering between 12 and 16, making it essential for residents and visitors to stay vigilant against potential sunburn. For more details on the UV levels throughout the year, be sure to check out Kota Kinabalu UV Index.
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January marks the beginning of the year in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, and while it brings 214 hours of sunshine, it sets the stage for a gradual increase in daylight as the months progress. By February, sunshine levels rise to 270 hours, showing a promising trend that continues into March, where residents and visitors can bask in 302 hours of golden rays. The warmth from the sun remains prevalent through the spring months, with April and May offering 293 and 289 hours respectively, creating a cozy atmosphere for exploration and relaxation. Even as summer approaches, the sun continues to shine brightly, with July and August both delivering impressive totals of 293 and 287 hours. The latter part of the year sees a slight dip, with September through December showcasing between 262 to 264 hours of sunshine. Overall, the trend reveals a vibrant sunshine rhythm that captivates the essence of this tropical paradise throughout the year.
In January, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia experiences a modest 10% chance of sunny weather, making it one of the least sunny months of the year. This low likelihood is followed by a slight increase in February and March, where the chances rise to 20%. As the year progresses, April maintains a near-equivalent 19%, but the trend dips again in May and June, with chances falling to 12% and 13% respectively. Interestingly, July and August see a stability around the 14% mark before plummeting into the rainy season with lower percentages in the later months. Overall, January stands out as a particularly overcast time in Kota Kinabalu, overshadowed by the subsequent months that offer slightly brighter prospects.
In Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, January marks the beginning of a consistent pattern in daylight duration, offering approximately 11 hours of daylight. This light remains stable through February, providing a serene backdrop for outdoor activities. As the year progresses into March, daylight subtly increases to 12 hours, a trend that continues through July, creating an inviting environment for exploration and adventure. This 12-hour daylight span reflects the region's tropical climate, where vibrant landscapes come alive with the extended hours of sunlight. As August transitions to September, the daylight remains constant, ensuring ample time for sun-soaked experiences. However, from October to December, daylight once again decreases to 11 hours, bringing the year full circle and preparing the landscape for a quieter, more reflective end to the calendar year.
January in Kota Kinabalu welcomes gentle breezes with an average wind speed of 2.7 m/s (6 mph), offering a refreshing start to the year. This tranquility is a precursor to a slight increase in February, where winds pick up to 2.8 m/s. As the months progress, a noticeable decline occurs, dipping to 1.9 m/s during both May and June, suggesting a calm rainy season. However, the wind picks up again in July, returning to January levels. As the year unfolds, wind speeds remain relatively stable, fluctuating between 1.8 m/s and 2.8 m/s, illustrating the region's overall mild climate. This consistent pattern of breezes provides an inviting atmosphere, perfect for outdoor adventures and exploring the stunning coastal scenery.
Weather in Kota Kinabalu varies notably across the year, with each month offering distinct climate conditions. This page compares January’s weather to other months in Kota Kinabalu, focusing on differences in temperature, rainfall, humidity, and UV levels.
January and February in Kota Kinabalu feature similar warm temperatures, with both months experiencing a minimum of 24°C (75°F) and an average around 27°C (81°F). However, January tends to be slightly warmer, reaching a maximum of 31°C (87°F), while February's maximum is a bit cooler at 30°C (86°F). Precipitation levels also differ, as January sees significantly more rainfall at 195 mm (7.7 in) over 18 days compared to February’s 108 mm (4.2 in) over 16 days. Humidity remains high in both months, with January at 90% and February slightly lower at 89%. For more detailed information, you can check Kota Kinabalu weather in February.
In January, the weather is characterized by warm temperatures with a minimum of 24°C (75°F) and an average of 27°C (81°F), reaching a maximum of 31°C (87°F). However, this month experiences significant rainfall, with 195 mm (7.7 in) of precipitation over 18 days and high humidity at 90%. In contrast, March sees slightly cooler temperatures, with a maximum of 30°C (86°F) while keeping the minimum and average temperatures nearly the same. Precipitation drops to 97 mm (3.8 in) over 20 days, and humidity decreases to 87%, suggesting a transition to slightly drier conditions. For more detailed information, check out Kota Kinabalu weather in March.
In comparison to January, April presents slightly warmer temperatures, with minimums of 25°C (76°F) and an average of 28°C (82°F) compared to January's 24°C (75°F) and average of 27°C (81°F). Both months reach a maximum of 31°C (88°F), but January experiences significantly higher precipitation at 195 mm (7.7 in) over 18 days, while April sees only 109 mm (4.3 in) over 21 days. Despite the lower humidity in April at 82%, January maintains a more humid environment at 90%. For more detailed information, you can check Kota Kinabalu weather in April.
In January, the weather in Kota Kinabalu showcases a warm tropical climate with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 24°C (75°F) to a maximum of 31°C (87°F), averaging around 27°C (81°F). However, this month is characterized by high precipitation, totaling 195 mm (7.7 in) across 18 rainy days, and a humidity level of 90%.
In contrast, May offers slightly warmer conditions, with a minimum temperature of 25°C (78°F) and an average of 28°C (83°F), while still reaching a maximum of 31°C (89°F). Although precipitation is slightly lower at 181 mm (7.1 in), it occurs over a greater number of days, totaling 25. The humidity also sees a slight decrease to 85%. For more details on the weather in May, you can refer to Kota Kinabalu weather in May.
In comparing the weather between January and June, both months feature warm temperatures, with January averaging 27°C (81°F) and June slightly warmer at 28°C (83°F). The minimum temperatures remain similar, around 24°C (75°F in January and 76°F in June), while maximum temperatures peak at 31°C (87°F) in January and 32°C (90°F) in June. Additionally, June experiences slightly more precipitation, totaling 229 mm (9.0 in) over 20 days compared to January's 195 mm (7.7 in) over 18 days. Humidity is also marginally lower in June at 87%, compared to January's higher level of 90%. For more detailed information, you can check out Kota Kinabalu weather in June.
When comparing the weather in January and July, both months exhibit warm temperatures, with January experiencing a minimum of 24°C (75°F) and a maximum of 31°C (87°F), while July shows slightly higher temperatures, with a minimum of 25°C (77°F) and a maximum of 32°C (89°F). Precipitation levels are notable in both months; January receives 195 mm (7.7 in) over 18 days, whereas July has a lower total of 167 mm (6.6 in) but over 20 days. Humidity remains relatively high year-round, with January at 90% and July slightly lower at 86%. For more details on the weather patterns during this month, check out Kota Kinabalu weather in July.
In January, the weather in Kota Kinabalu is characterized by warm temperatures, with a minimum of 24°C (75°F) and an average of 27°C (81°F), peaking at a maximum of 31°C (87°F). The month sees significant rainfall, totaling 195 mm (7.7 in) over 18 days, paired with high humidity levels of 90%.
In contrast, August experiences slightly warmer temperatures, with a minimum of 25°C (77°F) and an average of 28°C (82°F), reaching a maximum of 32°C (90°F). Precipitation increases to 221 mm (8.7 in) over the same number of rainy days, while humidity remains relatively high at 88%.
For more detailed information, check Kota Kinabalu weather in August.
In comparing the weather between January and September, both months exhibit warm temperatures with only slight variations. January sees temperatures ranging from a minimum of 24°C (75°F) to a maximum of 31°C (87°F), while September offers slightly warmer temperatures, with a minimum of 25°C (77°F) and a maximum of 32°C (90°F). Both months experience high humidity at around 90%, contributing to a tropical feel. However, September tends to be a bit wetter, with total precipitation reaching 215 mm (8.5 in) over 21 rainy days, compared to January's 195 mm (7.7 in) across 18 days. For a more detailed look at September weather patterns, you can check out Kota Kinabalu weather in September.
In comparing the weather between January and October, we find that both months share similar average temperatures, with January showing a minimum of 24°C (75°F) and October slightly warmer at 25°C (77°F). However, October experiences significantly more rainfall, totaling 308 mm (12.1 in) over 27 days, compared to January's 195 mm (7.7 in) over just 18 days. Additionally, humidity levels are high in both months, with January at 90% and October slightly lower at 86%. For more detailed insights, check out Kota Kinabalu weather in October.
In January, the weather features a slightly warmer range with minimum temperatures at 24°C (75°F) and maximums reaching 31°C (87°F), paired with an average humidity of 90%. However, January also sees significant rainfall, accumulating 195 mm (7.7 in) over about 18 days. In contrast, November experiences a minimum temperature of 25°C (77°F) and a maximum of 30°C (87°F), with slightly lower average humidity at 87%. November is wetter, with a total precipitation of 264 mm (10.4 in) occurring over 27 days. For more detailed insights, check out Kota Kinabalu weather in November.
In comparing the weather between January and December, both months exhibit warm temperatures, with minimums around 24°C (75°F) and average highs close to 31°C (87°F) in January, slightly warmer than the December highs of 30°C (86°F). However, January experiences slightly less precipitation, with 195 mm (7.7 in) over 18 days, compared to December's higher total of 272 mm (10.7 in) spread across 28 days. The humidity remains high in both months, with January at 90% and December slightly lower at 89%. For more details on December's weather, visit Kota Kinabalu weather in December.
As January rolls into Kota Kinabalu, the city experiences a warm and humid tropical climate, setting itself apart from the drier months that follow. With temperatures averaging around 27°C (81°F), daily highs can soar to 31°C (87°F), creating a balmy atmosphere perfect for exploration. However, this month is notably characterized by a significant amount of rainfall, with precipitation occurring on nearly two-thirds of the days, making it one of the wetter times of the year. The high humidity of 90% can intensify the tropical heat, so visitors should prepare for both warmth and the occasional downpour. For a deeper understanding of the climate dynamics throughout the year, be sure to check out Kota Kinabalu Climate.