Penang Weather in May 2026: what to expect (4.5/10)

The month in detail

What to expect in May

May falls in the wet season in Penang. Showers are often brief but intense. With 90.0% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned.

May ranks 8 out of 12 months in Penang. Compared to April: −0.9h of sun per day.

This month's conditions

What it's like in May

UV index

8 · high

sunscreen and hat advised

Feels like

oppressive heat

25°

Sea

32°C

warm, ideal

Daylight

12.2h of daylight

Air quality

fair

AQI 45

Compare

Is May the right month?

The best month in Penang is February (5.1/10), 0.6 pt higher than May.

See February →See all 12 months →

Context

Our verdict

Penang (Pulau Pinang), island in north-western Malaysia in the Andaman Sea: 1.8 million inhabitants for the province (island + Seberang Perai mainland strip), Malaysia's culinary capital by many rankings ("food paradise of Asia" according to Lonely Planet and CNN Travel).

Read Gilles' full review →

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

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 ⓘNovember · 97%

🏝️ Tropical stay

🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep

🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar

🌀Cyclones ⓘNone (equator)

Explore

Other destinations in May

If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate

Nearby

LangkawiMalaysia123 km

Koh LantaThailand275 km

Kuala LumpurMalaysia295 km

Koh Phi PhiThailand310 km

Other top picks

SocotraYemen5.4

SantiagoChile7.5

Hawaii / MauiUnited States7.8

MaseruLesotho7.8

MauiUnited States7.8

← April June →

🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map

Location

Where is Penang ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World

🔍 Geographic context

Malaysia

Equatorial tropical climate with a 5.1 → 4.4 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?

February is the best month with 88°F highs, 77°F lows, 8.3h of sunshine and 55.0% rainy days.

How many hours of sunshine does Penang get in February?

Penang averages 8.3 sunshine hours per day in February. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 4.8/10.

What is the rainiest month in Penang?

May is the most unfavourable month with May 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 February?

In February, overnight lows reach 77°F, while afternoon highs average 88°F.

Is Penang good in winter?

In winter (December-February), Penang scores 4.7/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains February with a score of 4.8/10.

When should you avoid Penang?

May is the most difficult month to visit Penang, with May 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 May?

In May, the sea averages 90°F in Penang: warm, ideal. Ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling.

Do you need sun protection in Penang in May?

The average UV index reaches 8 in May in Penang (high), with about 12.2h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.