Sabah weather in January
January is a fair month to visit Sabah: highs of 27°C (80°F) and about 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain on average. Nights average 22°C (71°F) and cloud cover 85% (NASA POWER, 2001–2025 averages). It is the 4th driest month of the year and the coolest. Compared with December, it is about as warm and drier; February brings highs of 27°C (80°F) and 98 mm (3.9 in) of rain.
Figures are long-term averages for Kota Kinabalu, the largest city in Sabah. See below for other places.
Is January a good time to visit Sabah?
fair month Weather score 50/100.
January is a fair month in Sabah. The weather is usually best in Feb–Apr.
Does it rain a lot in Sabah in January?
Yes, it is one of the rainy months: about 197 mm (7.8 in) falls in an average January. It is the 4th driest month of the year.
How warm is Sabah in January?
Days average 27°C (80°F) and nights 22°C (71°F).
Sabah weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Cloud | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C (80°F) | 22°C (71°F) | 197 mm | 85% | fair |
| February | 27°C (80°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 98 mm | 77% | best |
| March | 27°C (81°F) | 22°C (71°F) | 123 mm | 74% | best |
| April | 28°C (83°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 138 mm | 72% | best |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 23°C (74°F) | 218 mm | 82% | fair |
| June | 27°C (81°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 263 mm | 84% | least pleasant |
| July | 27°C (80°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 259 mm | 86% | least pleasant |
| August | 27°C (80°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 239 mm | 84% | least pleasant |
| September | 27°C (80°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 272 mm | 85% | least pleasant |
| October | 27°C (80°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 356 mm | 86% | least pleasant |
| November | 27°C (80°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 282 mm | 84% | least pleasant |
| December | 27°C (80°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 270 mm | 86% | least pleasant |
Sources: 2001–2025 monthly averages from NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis). Page updated . How we rate months
Weather across Sabah in January
Weather can differ a lot within Sabah: coasts, hills and mountains each have their own climate.
| Place | High | Low | Rain | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kota Kinabalu | 27°C (80°F) | 22°C (71°F) | 197 mm | fair |
| Sandakan | 27°C (81°F) | 26°C (78°F) | 380 mm | least pleasant |
| Tawau | 28°C (82°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 217 mm | least pleasant |
| Lahad Datu | 27°C (81°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 305 mm | least pleasant |
| Putatan | 27°C (80°F) | 22°C (71°F) | 197 mm | fair |
| Donggongon | 27°C (80°F) | 22°C (71°F) | 197 mm | fair |
| Keningau | 26°C (79°F) | 20°C (67°F) | 201 mm | fair |
| Semporna | 28°C (82°F) | 27°C (80°F) | 237 mm | least pleasant |
| Bandar Labuan | 28°C (82°F) | 27°C (80°F) | 236 mm | least pleasant |
| Sipitang | 27°C (81°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 253 mm | least pleasant |
| Petagas | 27°C (80°F) | 22°C (71°F) | 197 mm | fair |
| Kudat | 28°C (82°F) | 26°C (78°F) | 294 mm | least pleasant |