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Penang, Malaysia · Equatorial tropical

Penang: best months to visit

January (5.9/10) · September (4.7/10).

📅 Data updated: October 2026 🛰️ ERA5 · 10 years 📍 5.42°N · 100.33°E
⚡ Quick answer
January
Depends on your goals
5.9/10
☀️ Jan
Top score (5.9/10)
🌤️ Feb
Alt. (5.7/10)
Sep
Plus rude (4.7/10)
🌴 Tropical☀️ High UV🌧️ Monsoon season
Photo par Yaopey Yong via Unsplash
Decide

When to visit Penang?

The decision rests on several criteria. Climate score, tourist crowds and feasible activities.

Verdict: In Penang, January and February clearly stand out. September concentrates the least favorable conditions.
Top & avoid
🏆 January · 5.9 February · 5.7 December · 5.5 March · 5.4 ⚠️ September · 4.7
5.9
Jan
5.7
Feb
5.4
Mar
5.0
Apr
5.0
May
5.3
Jun
5.2
Jul
5.0
Aug
4.7
Sep
4.8
Oct
4.9
Nov
5.5
Dec
Best period · ≥ 7 Decent period · 4 – 7 Tough conditions · < 4

What you grasp in 5 seconds

Penang offers 0 comfortable months, without any month really to avoid. The gap stays moderate: 5.9 in January vs 4.7 in September.

What to check next

Your tolerance for crowds and budget. The best months concentrate tourist saturation and higher prices. Shoulder seasons offer a good compromise.

Next action

Scroll down to the detailed table to compare month by month, then open the page of the month that interests you.

How we calculate the score

The score combines 4 weighted criteria using 10 years of real climate data (ERA5).

Source : ERA5 · Open-Meteo · 10 years (2016–2025) · Full methodology →

Understand

Compare all 12 months

Month-by-month details: temperature, rain, sunshine, score and verdict.

✅ 0 comfortable months ()
MonthT° minT° maxRain %mm/daySunScoreVerdict
🌥️ January →75°F86°F16%5.0mm8.0h5.9/10Decent period
🌥️ February →77°F88°F21%4.4mm8.3h5.7/10Decent period
🌥️ March →77°F88°F29%6.3mm7.6h5.4/10Decent period
🌥️ April →77°F86°F47%11.1mm7.5h5.0/10Decent period
🌥️ May →79°F86°F45%13.2mm6.6h5.0/10Decent period
🌥️ June →79°F86°F37%7.4mm6.7h5.3/10Decent period
🌥️ July →79°F86°F39%5.8mm6.6h5.2/10Decent period
🌥️ August →77°F86°F45%9.6mm6.1h5.0/10Decent period
🌥️ September →77°F86°F60%11.0mm5.4h4.7/10Decent period
🌥️ October →77°F84°F61%13.8mm5.5h4.8/10Decent period
🌥️ November →77°F84°F50%13.5mm6.1h4.9/10Decent period
🌥️ December →75°F84°F29%7.0mm6.7h5.5/10Decent period
📊 Quick read
Optimal window
No month > 7
Good transition
—
Tough period
none
🌡️ Detailed conditions (January)
🌡️ Feel
Humid heat
☀️ UV
7.9 · Moderate-Strong
💧 Humidity feel
74°F · Oppressive
☔ Rain
16% · 5.0 mm/day
🌅 Sunshine
8.0h/day
10-year trend

Annual temperatures — Penang

Min/max temperature curves observed over the past 10 years (ERA5). Shows climate stability and trend.

T° maxT° meanT° min72°75°79°82°86°90°201620172018201920202021202220232024202588°F — decade peak (2025)+0.72°F / decade
Tailor

For your trip

A few angles depending on what kind of trip you are planning.

🌞 Dry season🏖️ Beaches🌊 Surf
Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

🎟️ Activities & tours · Penang

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

See all →
Affiliate link · GetYourGuide
Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.

Country · Malaysia

🗣️LanguageMalay
💶CurrencyMalaysian Ringgit (RM)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeEquatorial tropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthFebruary · 88°F
❄️Coolest monthOctober · 84°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘOctober · 61%

🏝️ Tropical stay

🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘNone (equator)
Explore

Related destinations & guides

If this destination doesn't fit your dates, here are alternatives and guides.

Location

Where is Penang ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Equatorial tropical climate with a 5.9 → 4.7 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
5.42°N · 100.33°E
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Penang?
January is the best month with 86°F highs, 75°F lows, 8.0h of sunshine and 16.0% rainy days.
How many hours of sunshine does Penang get in January?
Penang averages 8.0 sunshine hours per day in January. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 5.8/10.
What is the rainiest month in Penang?
September is the most unfavourable month with September has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Penang in January?
In January, overnight lows reach 75°F, while afternoon highs average 86°F.
Is Penang good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Penang scores 5.6/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains January with a score of 5.8/10.
When should you avoid Penang?
September is the most difficult month to visit Penang, with September has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.