When to go · Kota Bharu
Kota Bharu in January
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (northeast monsoon rain); Ramadan daytime closures.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C) / 23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 14
- Crowds
- Medium
- Malaysia overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Malaysia overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (northeast monsoon rain); Ramadan daytime closures.
Is another month better than January?
January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
Weather in January
- Kota BharuHighs around 29 °C (84 °F), lows around 23 °C (73 °F), rain on about 14 daysHighs around 84 °F (29 °C), lows around 73 °F (23 °C), rain on about 14 days
- East coast, Malaysia · Perhentian, Redang, Tioman, Kota Bharu, Kuala Terengganustorm or typhoon risk
Northeast monsoon Nov–Feb closes most island resorts and boats; Mar–Oct is the beach season.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Chinese New Year big impact
Jan–Feb (lunar — check) · Malaysia
Two public days, many Chinese businesses shut for a week; Penang and KL busy.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Malaysia overall
- Medium
- Prices · Malaysia overall
- Medium
Malaysia overall: West coast fine; east-coast islands closed; Thaipusam and Chinese New Year may fall here (check).
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Kota Bharu, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Avoid
Feb: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 29 °C (84 °F)84 °F (29 °C)
Feb: 30 °C (86 °F)86 °F (30 °C)
Night low
Jan: 23 °C (73 °F)73 °F (23 °C)
Feb: 23 °C (73 °F)73 °F (23 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 14
Feb: 9 (better)
Crowds
Jan: Medium
Feb: High
Prices
Jan: Medium
Feb: High
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
Feb: 1
January: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (northeast monsoon rain); Ramadan daytime closures.
February: Inside Kota Bharu's best window: Feb–Sep.
Kota Bharu: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries