Kota Kinabalu · SpringMonth summary
Kota Kinabalu weather in May
✅ Good
🌡️ Temperature min / max
25°C – 30°C
🌧 Rainy days
70% of days
☀️ Sunshine
9.5h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Spring
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
7.4/10
📅 📅 Best month
February (8.3/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Kota Kinabalu in May?
✅ 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: May is a good time to visit Kota Kinabalu. February remains slightly better (+0.9 pts).
By trip type
Kota Kinabalu in May by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ✅ Good
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ⚠️ Possible
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : ⚠️ Possible
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Kota Kinabalu. Temperatures rise (30°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. With 70% 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.
Browse by month
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 May, Kota Kinabalu averages 30°C, 70% rainy days and 9.5h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 7.4/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
May vs February (best month)
The best month is February (score 8.3/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : -2°C
- 🌧 Rainy days : -22%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +1.0h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Kota Kinabalu in May
Is May a good time to visit Kota Kinabalu?
Yes, May is a good time (7.4/10). Great for outdoor activities and hiking.
Does it rain a lot in Kota Kinabalu in May?
Yes, 70% of days see rain in May. Plan some indoor activities as backup.
Accommodation
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