Weather and climate
Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a place over a short period, while climate is the average weather of an area over a long period (usually more than 30 years). Malaysia has an equatorial climate — hot and wet throughout the year.
Key idea
Four main factors affect Malaysia's weather and climate: latitude, monsoon winds, relief (altitude), and nearness to the sea.
The main factors
- Latitude: Malaysia lies near the equator, so it receives strong sunlight and is hot all year round.
- Monsoon winds: The Northeast Monsoon (November–March) brings heavy rain to the east coast of the Peninsula, while the Southwest Monsoon (May–September) is drier.
- Relief: Temperature falls by about 6°C for every 1000 m of rise, so highland areas such as Cameron Highlands are cooler.
- Nearness to the sea: The seas surrounding Malaysia keep the air humid and bring plenty of rain all year.
Example
During the Northeast Monsoon, states such as Kelantan and Terengganu often experience heavy rain and floods.
Remember
The higher a place is, the cooler its temperature. That is why highlands are popular holiday destinations.
Features of Malaysia's climate
The combined effect of these factors keeps Malaysia's temperature even throughout the year, around 26°C to 28°C in the lowlands, with high annual rainfall of more than 2000 mm. Humidity is also always high. Human factors such as urbanisation and deforestation can change the local climate, for example making large cities warmer than the rural areas around them.