The month in detail
What to expect in December
In December, Penang sees 84°F during the day with 6.7h of sunshine per day. Expect rain on 29% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. Not the best window, but acceptable if dates are constrained. January (5.9/10) is significantly better if possible.
December ranks 3 out of 12 months in Penang. Compared to November: 21 pts fewer rainy days, +0.6h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in December
UV index
7 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
very humid
24°
Sea
30°C
warm, ideal
Daylight
11.7h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 35
Compare
Is December the right month?
The best month in Penang is January (5.9/10), 0.4 pt higher than December.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Penang
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Penang
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
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
Other destinations in December
If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Penang ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
MalaysiaEquatorial 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.
Can you swim in Penang in December?
In December, the sea averages 86°F in Penang: warm, ideal. Ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling.
Do you need sun protection in Penang in December?
The average UV index reaches 7 in December in Penang (high), with about 11.7h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.