Kota Kinabalu · WinterMonth summary
Kota Kinabalu weather in December
✅ Good
🌡️ Temperature min / max
24°C – 29°C
🌧 Rainy days
79% of days
☀️ Sunshine
8.4h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Winter
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
7.4/10
📅 📅 Best month
February (8.3/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Kota Kinabalu in December?
✅ Good
✅ Yes if: you're willing to accept showers in exchange for lower prices and fewer tourists.
❌ No if: you're planning 100% outdoor activities — rain is frequent.
Our take: Favourable conditions in December (7.4/10). February scores higher but the gap is small.
By trip type
Kota Kinabalu in December by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ✅ Good
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ⚠️ Possible
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : ⚠️ Possible
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in December
Even in winter, Kota Kinabalu enjoys 29°C. A real asset for escaping the European cold. With 79% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned. Not the best window, but acceptable if dates are constrained. February (8.3/10) is significantly better if possible.
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All months for Kota Kinabalu
Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rain % | Precip mm | Sun h/d | Score | Ski score 🎿 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⛅ January | 24°C | 28°C | 67% | 238.7 | 8.5h | 7.7/10 | 2.6/10 |
| 🌤️ February | 23°C | 28°C | 48% | 102.0 | 10.5h | 8.3/10 | 3.5/10 |
| 🌤️ March | 24°C | 29°C | 53% | 103.4 | 9.9h | 7.9/10 | 3.2/10 |
| ⛅ April | 25°C | 30°C | 61% | 112.7 | 10.6h | 7.6/10 | 3.2/10 |
| ⛅ May | 25°C | 30°C | 70% | 189.9 | 9.5h | 7.4/10 | 2.7/10 |
| ⛅ June | 25°C | 30°C | 65% | 192.5 | 9.5h | 7.5/10 | 2.9/10 |
| ⛅ July | 24°C | 30°C | 64% | 203.1 | 9.3h | 7.5/10 | 2.8/10 |
| ⛅ August | 25°C | 30°C | 65% | 215.8 | 9.1h | 7.5/10 | 2.8/10 |
| ⛅ September | 24°C | 29°C | 70% | 277.2 | 9.0h | 7.5/10 | 2.6/10 |
| 🌧️ October | 24°C | 29°C | 84% | 354.1 | 8.2h | 7.3/10 | 2.1/10 |
| 🌧️ November | 24°C | 29°C | 83% | 250.0 | 9.0h | 7.3/10 | 2.3/10 |
| ⛅ December | 24°C | 29°C | 79% | 272.5 | 8.4h | 7.4/10 | 2.3/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In December, Kota Kinabalu averages 29°C, 79% rainy days and 8.4h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 7.4/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
December vs February (best month)
The best month is February (score 8.3/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : -1°C
- 🌧 Rainy days : -31%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +2.1h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Kota Kinabalu in December
Is December a good time to visit Kota Kinabalu?
Yes, December is a good time (7.4/10). Great for outdoor activities and hiking.
Does it rain a lot in Kota Kinabalu in December?
Yes, 79% of days see rain in December. Plan some indoor activities as backup.
Accommodation
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