Kota Kinabalu sits on the island of Borneo, where an equatorial climate brings heavy rainfall throughout the year with no pronounced dry season, though the northeast monsoon from November through February typically brings the heaviest totals.
Sabah’s capital sits on Borneo’s northwest coast, where heavy year-round rainfall is punctuated by especially wet weeks during the northeast monsoon. Many of Borneo’s towns sit along rivers that are the primary transport routes in the region, so a sustained heavy rain event upstream can raise water levels significantly downstream, making radar an important complement to river-level monitoring here. Learn more: Flash Flood Warning Signs on Radar · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in Kota Kinabalu right now?
The map above shows recent radar observations over Kota Kinabalu, Sabah where coverage is available. Use the map legend and timestamp to interpret the imagery. A blank map over Kota Kinabalu can mean no detected precipitation, missing coverage, delayed data, or rain too light for radar to detect.
How often does the Kota Kinabalu rain radar update?
Updates depend on the radar provider and local network. Check the timestamp on the map for the latest available frame, and press play to compare recent observations. Radar imagery can lag conditions on the ground.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward Kota Kinabalu?
Press play to compare recent radar frames over Sabah and see the direction of detected rain. This can help you assess approaching showers near Kota Kinabalu, but storms can grow or change direction; check your local weather service for forecasts and warnings.
Is this Kota Kinabalu rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.
Rain in Kota Kinabalu by month
Kota Kinabalu gets about 2,716 mm (106.9 in) of rain in an average year. The wettest month is October, with 356 mm (14.0 in), and the driest is February, with 98 mm (3.9 in).
| Month | Average rain | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 24.0 °C (75 °F) |
| February | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 23.9 °C (75 °F) |
| March | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 24.5 °C (76 °F) |
| April | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 25.4 °C (78 °F) |
| May | 218 mm (8.6 in) | 25.4 °C (78 °F) |
| June | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 25.0 °C (77 °F) |
| July | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 24.6 °C (76 °F) |
| August | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 24.7 °C (76 °F) |
| September | 272 mm (10.7 in) | 24.6 °C (76 °F) |
| October | 356 mm (14.0 in) | 24.5 °C (76 °F) |
| November | 282 mm (11.1 in) | 24.6 °C (76 °F) |
| December | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 24.5 °C (76 °F) |
Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER (MERRA-2 satellite reanalysis). They describe the wider area around Kota Kinabalu and can differ slightly from local weather-station records.