Winter in Ipoh doesn’t bring cold winds or frosty mornings. Instead, you’ll get warm days and mild nights that stick with the city’s tropical rainforest climate.
Expect average highs around 29–30°C (85°F) and lows near 21°C (70°F), so Ipoh’s winter honestly feels more like a humid summer than anything else.
Rainfall really defines the season here. December usually brings some of the heaviest showers of the year.
January and February stay wet, but the rain is a bit less intense. You’ll notice frequent rain, high humidity, and cloudier skies.
All of this shapes how you plan your days around town.
Even with the damp weather, you can still find plenty to do in Ipoh. Shorter sunshine hours and heavier rain might nudge you indoors, but the steady warmth means you can leave your jacket at home.
Ipoh’s Winter Climate Overview
During winter, Ipoh stays warm and humid. Temperatures barely budge, and rainfall picks up compared to the middle of the year.
You’ll feel the high moisture in the air. Warmth sticks around day and night, and frequent showers shape the city’s tropical vibe.
Tropical Rainforest Climate Classification
Ipoh sits in Perak, Malaysia, and falls under the tropical rainforest climate (Af) in the Köppen system.
This means the city gets high rainfall all year, with no real dry season. Even the driest month brings rain.
On average, Ipoh sees about 2,300 mm (90 in) of rain a year, and it rains on more than 200 days annually. November and December get hit the hardest, often with 230–280 mm (9–11 in) per month.
You won’t see dramatic seasonal shifts here. The main thing that changes is how hard it rains, not the temperature.
That’s why winter still feels hot and muggy, even though it’s technically the “cooler” season.
Temperature Patterns During Winter
Winter in Ipoh isn’t cold at all. You’ll see average highs between 29°C and 31°C (85°F–88°F) and lows around 21°C to 22°C (70°F–72°F).
These numbers barely change from month to month, showing just how steady the climate is here.
Daytime stays warm enough for outdoor plans, though rain showers might crash the party. Nights are mild and rarely dip below 21°C, so heavy clothing just isn’t needed.
Here’s a quick look at winter temps:
| Month | Avg High °C (°F) | Avg Low °C (°F) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 30 (86) | 22 (72) | ~282 |
| December | 29.5 (85) | 21 (70) | ~232 |
| January | 30 (86) | 21 (70) | ~145 |
So while the temperature barely moves, the rain really sets the tone for winter.
Humidity and Atmospheric Conditions
Humidity in Ipoh during winter stays high, usually between 75% and 84%. The air feels moist and heavy, especially when it’s warm.
You’ll probably notice how sticky it gets, making outdoor activities a bit uncomfortable sometimes. Cloud cover is common, so direct sunshine is limited.
Daylight hours average about 7 to 8 hours of sun in November and December.
Winds are usually light, often below 5 km/h (3 mph), so you won’t get much natural cooling. If you’re outside, shade and a breeze become your best friends.
These humid, rainy conditions keep Ipoh green all year. Just expect damp air and frequent rain during winter.
Winter Temperatures in Ipoh
Winter in Ipoh stays warm and humid. You’ll see steady daytime heat, mild nights, and not much change from month to month.
Average High and Low Temperatures
During winter, daily high temperatures in Ipoh usually range from 31°C to 33°C (88°F to 91°F).
Highs rarely dip below 29°C (84°F) or climb above 35°C (95°F).
At night, lows stay steady, averaging 22°C to 24°C (72°F to 75°F). Even the coldest days rarely go below 21°C (70°F), so you can forget about packing sweaters.
The warmest winter days often reach about 33°C (91°F), while the coolest hover around 23°C (73°F). These numbers really show how subtle the seasons are in a tropical climate.
Diurnal Temperature Variation
The difference between day and night isn’t big here. On most winter days, there’s just a 7–9°C (12–16°F) gap between highs and lows.
Afternoons feel hot, but evenings and mornings stay comfortably warm. You won’t get sharp chills at night, even in January.
Humidity stays high, so it usually feels warmer than the thermometer says. Honestly, you might not notice much relief after sunset.
Monthly Temperature Trends
Winter runs from December through February, and temperatures hardly budge.
- December: Highs around 31–32°C (88–90°F), lows near 23°C (73°F)
- January: Slightly cooler, with highs near 31°C (88°F) and lows about 22–23°C (72–73°F)
- February: Warmer again, with highs around 32–33°C (90–91°F) and lows close to 24°C (75°F)
The coldest stretch usually lands in early January. By late February, you’ll see the highest readings of the season.
Still, the changes are tiny, so you can count on steady warmth.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Ipoh has a tropical rainforest climate, so you can expect frequent rain all year. Even the drier months bring showers, and rainfall levels stay higher than in lots of other places.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Rainfall is measured in millimeters, and Ipoh gets about 2,300–2,500 mm per year. Some months get double the rain of others.
November is the wettest month, usually with about 330 mm of rain.
July is the driest, but still manages around 110 mm.
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| January | ~200–250 |
| July | ~110 |
| November | ~330 |
Even in July, the so-called dry season, Ipoh gets a lot of rain compared to most places.
Wet and Drier Periods
Rainfall in Ipoh peaks during the late-year monsoon season, especially in October and November. You’ll get heavier showers and more storms then.
The mid-year months, like June and July, are a bit drier but still not dry by global standards. Rain keeps coming, just in smaller amounts.
If you’re planning outdoor adventures, this rhythm matters. The wet months can limit hiking or sightseeing, while the slightly drier months give you more flexibility—even if you still need to watch out for sudden downpours.
Chance of Rainy Days
Rain in Ipoh comes often, not just in big totals. On average, there are 20–25 rainy days per month during the wetter periods.
Even in July, you’ll still get about 14 rainy days.
Showers are spread out, not just packed into a few storms. You’re more likely to get short, heavy bursts of rain than long dry stretches.
Honestly, carrying an umbrella or a light rain jacket year-round just makes sense. The odds of rain on any given day are high.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine Hours
In Ipoh, winter skies start out pretty cloudy and slowly get a bit clearer as the season goes on.
Overcast days are common, but you’ll see more breaks of sun later in the season.
Cloudiness Variation in Winter
Cloud cover in Ipoh drops steadily during winter. At the start, skies are overcast or mostly cloudy about 88% of the time.
By late February, that falls to around 75%.
You’ll still get more cloudy days than clear ones, but the odds of partly sunny weather improve as winter winds down.
The clearest days usually show up in mid to late February, with clear or partly cloudy skies about one-quarter of the time.
For comparison, October is the cloudiest month, with over 90% cloud cover. Winter feels like an improvement, but gray days still outnumber sunny ones.
Sunshine Duration and Daylight Hours
Ipoh gets a modest amount of sunshine in winter, with 5 to 6 hours per day. January brings about 5.8 hours of sun daily.
By February, it’s closer to 6–7 hours as the clouds start to thin.
Daylight length barely changes. You’ll get just under 12 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 7:10 AM–7:30 AM and sunset near 7:00 PM–7:30 PM.
So, you have enough light for outdoor plans, but clouds and quick rain showers can still cut into those sunny periods.
If you’re hoping for more sun, the later weeks of winter usually give you the best chance of longer sunny spells.
Seasonal Weather Extremes and Notable Events
Winter in Ipoh stays warm and humid, but a few weather quirks stand out. You might spot foggy mornings, light winds, and sometimes even heavy downpours or localized flooding.
These all factor into how you plan your days and get around town.
Frequency of Foggy and Windy Days
Fog pops up most often before sunrise. High humidity and overnight lows near 21°C (70°F) create thick morning mist, especially near rivers or in low valleys.
Visibility can drop to less than 500 meters, which might slow down early travel or outdoor plans.
Winds usually stay light. Average speeds rarely go over 4 km/h (2–3 mph) in most parts of Ipoh.
Strong gusts are rare, so you won’t deal with disruptive winds. The still air just adds to the humid feeling.
Fog usually clears up quickly once the sun comes up, leaving behind bright, warm days. If you’re driving early, give yourself a little extra time.
For most folks, the calm winds make for easy walking and hassle-free sightseeing.
Unusual Weather Phenomena
Winter in Ipoh doesn’t bring cold snaps, but you can get heavy bursts of rain. December often sees over 230 mm (9 in) of precipitation, so flash flooding is possible in spots with poor drainage.
Streets can flood after intense downpours, though water usually drains away within hours.
Thunderstorms roll in, often in the afternoons. They bring quick, heavy rain, loud thunder, and sometimes lightning.
It’s smart to avoid outdoor activities during these storms, especially if you’re hiking or hanging out in open parks.
On rare occasions, long stretches of rain can cause minor landslides on nearby hills. These are pretty localized, but if you’re planning to visit limestone caves or the countryside, it’s worth keeping an eye on the weather.
Checking the forecast helps you dodge disruptions and enjoy what Ipoh has to offer.
Geographical and Environmental Influences
Ipoh’s winter weather patterns really show how the city sits in the Kinta Valley, shaped by both its own landscape and Malaysia’s larger tropical systems. Elevation, those distinctive limestone hills, and bigger regional weather drivers all shape what you feel during this season.
Topography and Elevation Effects
Ipoh sits at around 44 meters (145 feet) above sea level. That’s not very high, so you won’t notice much cooling. Unlike in places like Cameron Highlands, you just don’t get that crisp drop in temperature here.
Warmth sticks around, with daily averages hovering near 26–28°C (79–82°F), even when it’s supposed to be cooler.
The city sits in the Kinta Valley, surrounded by limestone hills and all those karst formations. These hills trap humidity, making the air heavier and stickier during rain. The valley also blocks wind, so you hardly ever get those strong breezes you might hope for.
If you look at satellite surveys like the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), you’ll see how flat the valley floor is compared to the surrounding ridges. This helps keep cloud cover consistent and brings on those frequent afternoon showers.
For travelers, you’ll want to expect short, heavy bursts of rain, not long dry spells.
Regional Climate Drivers
Ipoh’s climate falls under the tropical rainforest (Af) category. That means high humidity and rain, all year. The so-called winter months aren’t cold, but the Northeast Monsoon does its thing by bringing moist air from the South China Sea.
Rainfall ramps up during this time, often hitting 200–280 mm per month. Many days see showers.
Temperatures barely budge, but all that rain can make the skies cloudy and cut down sunshine to about 7–8 hours per day.
Malaysia sits close to the equator, so you don’t get big swings in temperature between seasons. Instead, it’s the rain patterns that change things up. Since Ipoh is inland and not near the coast, you’ll notice the monsoon mostly through the rain, not through any cooling breezes.
Globally, tropical land cover increases evapotranspiration, and that feeds into local cloud formation. Ipoh’s forests and thick vegetation only make this stronger, so the humidity and wetness really stick around during winter.
Travel Considerations for Winter Visitors
Winter in Ipoh brings slightly cooler temperatures and just a bit less rain than the wettest months. You’ll find the days warm but pretty manageable, so planning sightseeing, food tours, or short trips around Perak gets a little easier.
Best Times for Outdoor Activities
From December to February, you’ll usually see highs between 29°C and 31°C (84–88°F). Nights drop to about 23–24°C (73–75°F), which feels a lot more comfortable than in the hotter months.
Humidity still sticks around, but with fewer heavy downpours than later in the monsoon, you get better conditions for being outside.
Mornings feel nicest for walking tours, cave temple visits, or wandering Ipoh’s old town. By midday, the heat can really get to you, so it’s smart to plan for shaded or indoor stops—think museums or cafés.
If hiking’s your thing, trails at Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple or Kledang Hill are usually safer and drier than in the wetter months. Bring water and wear light clothing, but keep a small umbrella handy since showers can still pop up.
Outdoor dining is big during winter evenings. The temperatures are just right for enjoying hawker stalls and night markets without sweating it out.
Airport Access and Transportation
Ipoh has Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (IPH), which sits about 6 km from the city center. You’ll mostly find domestic flights and a handful of regional routes here.
If you need more international options, you’ll probably end up at Penang International Airport (PEN). That’s roughly a two-hour drive from Ipoh, so keep that in mind.
Most folks use taxis or ride-hailing apps to get from Sultan Azlan Shah Airport into town. The ride usually takes less than 20 minutes. But if you hit peak hours, expect to wait a bit longer since city traffic can really crawl.
If you’re coming in through Penang International Airport, you can grab a rental car, book a private transfer, or hop on an express bus to Ipoh. The drive down the North-South Expressway is pretty straightforward. You’ll find plenty of rest stops along the way if you need a break.
There’s also a rail connection between Penang and Ipoh, though you’ll have to get from the airport to the Butterworth train station first. It’s not the fastest way, but honestly, the ride through Malaysia’s countryside is comfortable and kind of relaxing.