Given the vast territory of Indonesia, there are understandably regions that are only slightly hotter and drier than their rainy seasons, not entirely pronounced differences in dry and wet. There are also regions when rains pour non-stop for days that dry and wet can easily be deduced without measuring the amount of rainfall.

Although Indonesia weather is fairly even, higher altitudes within the same region often have vastly different climatic patterns compared to low-lying levels of different regions. This is because at higher elevations (a good percentage of Indonesia is at 10,000 feet above sea level or higher), temperatures are much lower than the low-lying regions.

Taking into account the monsoonal patterns, southern portions of the country are wetter when the south monsoon blows, and northern regions experience similar rainfall patterns when the northern monsoon blows.

In terms of temperature variance throughout the year, there are no dramatic extremes in the low-lying areas. As a result, Indonesia weather can be stifling during the hottest hours of the day. Sea breezes afford major relief to heat stress, along with monsoonal winds.

Not unlike its tropical neighbors, the wet season in Indonesia may mean that some roads are impassable because of the amount of rainfall and consequent wash outs. Where travel is done by air or water, cancellations of flights and ferry schedules can be expected.

The wet season is experienced in varying degrees all throughout the country. December to February rains often result to peril-laden travel in Nusa Tenggara, while roads in Flores can be altogether under a few feet of water. Similarly, certain parts of Papua can be impassable during this time.

In Sumatra, rains make travel in the north a challenge from the months of October to January, and January to February sees little tourist action in the south for the same reason. Bali is Indonesia’s tourist magnet for one reason: Wet and dry is not as pronounced. In other areas like Kalimantan, rainy season from December to February means accessibility to remote places that can only be approached by boat.

It is true that Bali gets an inordinate amount of tourists because of scenery and weather, but this should not dissuade you from exploring undertouristed destinations that may even prove more relaxing. The important thing is to time your travel when roads are friendly and the weather easy.

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The topographical variations gives Vietnam more than the usual dry, hot and rainy seasons that most Southeast Asian countries experience.

North Vietnam

The northern part of Vietnam is composed mainly of high mountain regions and the Red River Delta, a flat densely populated area that was once an inlet of the Gulf of Tonkin. Travelers are most likely coming via Hanoi, and are here to view the region’s majestic views, particularly in Ha Long Bay and Haiphong.

The north experiences four distinct seasons unlike most Southeast Asian countries. Temperatures here can drop down to 15°C, and to lower numbers when up in the highlands. The spring season of March to April often has cool and pleasant weather. It eases into chillier temperatures during the autumn months of October to early winter in December. The temperatures vary, but bring along thick coats and some winter gear to ward off the chill.

Summer season in the north is typically hot and wet, so bring along an umbrella and lightweight rain gear during these months.

Central Vietnam

The central region of the country is is divided into the coast and the highlands. The central coast includes the Cham Islands, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue and My Son.

The coastal area is hotter and drier than the other areas when summer rolls in from July to November. Oddly enough, it is also prone to storms and typhoons during these months. When the monsoon months happen from November to March, the area experiences more rainfall than usual.

The central highlands experience the highest amount of rainfall in the entire country. Temperatures are particularly cooler here, especially in two towns, Pleiku and Dalat. Cities that are nearing the southern coastal areas are much warmer the whole year round.

Southern Vietnam

Nha Trang (Photo by Aleksandr Zykov)

The Southern region of Vietnam is considered to be the country’s busiest area. Here you can find the country’s biggest city, Ho Chi Minh City. It also includes the Mekong Delta, which is called the “rice basket” of Vietnam. Here, visitors can take their pick of the many beaches that dot the area, particularly in Nha Trang and Mui Ne.

This region experiences the typical tropical weather that is associated with Southeast Asia. Its two seasons are mainly dry and rainy, as well as the expected hot summer season. When the monsoon season arrives in May and continues to November, bring along an umbrella as it tends to rain continuously. The dry season happens around February to April, while December up until March brings about the cooler seasons in the area.

Vietnam weather can change unexpectedly despite these regular seasons. Southeast Asia is prone to scattered rainshowers, and Vietnam is no exception. It’s better that you bring along an umbrella or a lightweight jacket to keep yourself prepared. But no matter which season you decide to come in, you will enjoy Vietnam and the wonder treasures that it presents.

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The location of the Philippines relative to the equator makes it a tropical country, an asset to any destination that is blessed with world-class beaches. The county’s weather pattern is also influenced by the prevailing winds, which makes weather forecasting a sometimes unpredictable business. From November to May, the wind blows from the northeast, and from June to October, the prevailing winds come from the southwest. The northeast monsoon is referred to as the “amihan” (ah-me-hon) while the southwest is called “habagat” (hah-bah-got).

It is during the “amihan” that most of the country experience dry season.

Dry season can further be classified into two: cool and hot. From December to February, the ‘amihan’ brings with it hints of winter from the northern hemisphere. It can get really chilly from late December until early February, when temperatures dip to an annual average of 25.5°C.

Summer in the Philippines officially start at the beginning of March when it becomes noticeably less chilly in the morning. The hottest and driest months often coincide with the Holy Week celebrations which are held in March or early April. Temperatures can get as high as 35°C during summer months, so using sunblock is definitely advisable, but it is best to seek shelter from 10AM until 3PM when planning activities outdoors. In Boracay, the beach capital of the country, swimming at 4PM at the height of summer can sometimes leave unpleasant burns.

The exception to this rule is Baguio, located at an elevation of 1,300 to 1,600 meters above sea level. Average annual temperature in the summer capital of the Philippines is 18°C, making it an ideal getaway spot when the rest of the country is steaming hot.

The hot dry season in the Philippines lasts until May, but in recent years, it is sometimes hot enough until late June that back-to-school children snatch one last summer escapade until ‘habagat’ scares them out of the water.

By the time school opens in mid-June, the Philippines weather turns on its head.  Cloudless blue skies seem ages away, as day after day, rain pours like there is no shortage of water. Sometimes, it rains the entire week!

But it’s not only getting soggy that travelers should prepare for. Because the Philippines sits astride the typhoon alley, it gets an average of 20 typhoons a year. During really bad months, typhoons (tropical cyclones) come and go like guests at a party. Just when one typhoon is preparing to leave, another one is brewing in the vicinity.

Not incidentally, the months of June through October are low seasons in the tourist trade. This doesn’t mean however that you cannot go on your tropical dream vacation during these months. While it is possible to rain non-stop for an entire week, some areas may only experience brief overcast skies and get plenty of sunshine the next day.

Boracay is hot and dry most of the year, and amazingly, is seldom scraped by the tail of tropical cyclone monsters. In fact, Boracay just changes sides with the changing season. When ‘habagat’ blows, the 4-kilometer stretch of White Beach may not look postcard-worthy (because the winds bring all the sea trash to the shore), but the “amihan” facing side is all calm and inviting!

In Manila, tourists vacationing during the wet season need to be extra cautious as the capital city can get submerged knee-deep (and sometimes deeper) after unremitting rain. Not all of Manila however is prone to flood, but major arteries are often affected to semi-paralyze transport and access to basic needs.

In sum, anytime is a good time to visit the Philippines. Being flexible with your itinerary especially during the wet months can go a long way to prepare you for the worst. But even when typhoons are raging in Manila or elsewhere, you are always bound to find one spot in the country where the weather is friendly.

Photos by Cherry, Roberto Verzo, Mediatejack and Roberto Verzo

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Humidity is high in most places in Malaysia, and can be experienced through most of the year. Wearing clothes made of lightweight materials will help you enjoy the tropical climate even more, and will enable you to go around the places you want to visit without wilting along with the humidity. The beaches can be enjoyed all-year round because the west and the east parts of the country experience the rainy season at different times of the year.

West Malaysia Weather

The west coast islands of Pangkor, Langkawi, and Penang experience tropical weather all-year round; the days and nights are typically hot, humid, and peppered with rain-showers. The months of September and October usually experience the heaviest rains, making this period not so ideal for diving activities due to the poor visibility.

East Malaysia Weather

The east coast destinations of Tioman Island, Kuantan, Terengganu, Perhentian Islands, Kota Bharu, and Redang have almost the same weather throughout the year. However, on the west coast the breeze which comes from the South China Sea works in tempering the humidity. The monsoon or rainy season is experienced by the east coast portion of the country during the months of November to February. The heavy rains experienced by this part of Malaysia during the said months can cause the beach resorts to close down and cease their operations for this period, re-opening in March when the weather starts to improve once more. Apart from the monsoon season, the east coast of Malaysia enjoys a drier climate compared to the rest of the country.

Weather in the Lowlands and Highlands

The lowlands, where Kuala Lumpur and Melacca are located, enjoy year-round tropical weather that is hot and humid, with rain-showers experienced almost on a daily basis. The rainy season comes between the months of April and October, but this season tends to bring welcome relief from the stifling heat and humidity that this part of the country experiences during the other months.

The highlands (includes Cameron Highlands), which is situated about 1,500 meters above sea level, enjoys a distinctly varied climate from the rest of the country. Temperature during the daytime is a comfortable 22°C, and further drops to about 15°C as night falls. Those who wish to escape the overwhelming heat of the other parts of Malaysia go up to the highlands to enjoy the cooler temperature during the daytime, and the chilly nights. Rains are at their heaviest during September until the early part of December.

The weather in Malaysia may not be that varied, but knowing which times of the year have the rainy or the sunny season – for different parts of the country – will help you in planning a more productive itinerary. Getting useful information about Malaysia’s weather can ensure that you only experience the best of what Mother Nature has to offer, as you go about exploring the country’s scenic spots and the corresponding adventures.

Photo by Jo@net

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Lying just a little above the equator, Singapore, like its Southeast Asian neighbors, is best described as tropical. In Singapore’s case, however, tropical means hot and humid a good part of the year. Rain is not a seasonal occurrence, but an (almost) everyday fact.

Temperature

Temperature seldom varies dramatically. Anytime of the year, it can be between 23°Celsius to 34°Celsius. Very rarely will the temperature rise to 36°Celsius (as it did in 1998) or drop lower than 19.4°Celsius (as it did in 1934).

Humidity

Pressure is also relatively uniform throughout the year. The same can be said of humidity, due to Singapore’s maritime exposure. The average relative humidity in Singapore is 84.2%, which means that at certain times, humidity can be as high as 100%. Coupled with high temperature, Singapore weather can get stifling.

Rainfall

Because of its high levels of humidity, Singapore gets plenty of rain regardless of the monsoons. Between December and January, moderate to heavy rains can be experienced in the afternoons or early evenings, while from February to March, there is relatively little or even no rain.

From April to May, afternoon or early evening showers can be expected. The months of June to September, when the southwest monsoon blows, is characterized by predawn to midday thunderstorm and showers. Rains can get heavy during this time, and rainfalls are expected to last for two hours on the average. The rest of the day can be overcast with a scattering of light showers until early evening.

The wettest month is November, and frequent rains, although less heavier, can be expected until January. On record, February is the driest month.

What to Wear

Given these Singapore weather patterns, you would be well-advised to wear airy and lightweight clothing like cotton so you don’t get all soggy when going out. It would also help to bring umbrellas and raincoats should rain fall unexpectedly, as they do, while you are outdoors. Remember, it can be sunshiny in the morning and overcast after lunch. The reverse is also true: While it may rain before midday, it doesn’t mean it will rain all day, as Singapore rains only last for a couple of hours.

Don’t let Singapore rains dampen your outdoor plans. While it’s best to strut along Orchard Road without the burden of umbrella, should you get caught in rain, there are plenty of indoor attractions to get busy with. Singapore shopping malls, museums and art galleries are a good start.

With that being said, there is no best time to visit Singapore. It is best to plan your trip around the festival calendar rather than the steady but unpredictable weather.

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In general, Northern and Central Thailand get less heavier rain than those in the south. The western peninsula of Southern Thailand (where Phuket lies) is the wettest of all during monsoon season. The hottest month across all regions is April.

Latest updates about Thailand weather can be found at Thai Meteorological Department, where daily, weekly and monthly forecasts are available. The list below provides an overview of general climatic patterns in the regions you intend to visit.

• Northeastern Thailand. Winter is seldom heard of in tropical regions, but in Northeastern Thailand, temperatures can drop below zero from November to February, especially at night and early morning. From March until May, temperatures can get as high as 40°C. Heavy rains come in at the start of June until October, and the soggiest month is September.
• Northern Thailand. The mountainous terrain of the area is mostly responsible for this region’s winter in the months of October until February. It can get steamy from March until April, and rainy from May until September. However, compared to the rest of the country, northern provinces generally experience lower temperatures by as much as 5°C throughout the year compared to other parts of Thailand, one of the main reasons why Thais escape to Chiang Mai especially during the cold season. Rains and storms are heavily influenced by the southwest monsoon, but it seldom rains the entire day even during the rainy months. Downpour in Northern Thailand is in short bursts of up to one hour twice a day, leaving travelers plenty more time to enjoy the outdoors.
• Central Thailand. Despite seasonal variations, the weather of Bangkok and Central Thailand can easily be described as hot and humid, even during rainy months. Temperature and humidity are most intense during the months of February through June, while July until October can be very wet, sometimes raining for days on end. The pleasant months are from November to January when it is mostly cool and dry.
• Southern Thailand (East Coast). Koh Samui and other provinces facing the Gulf of Thailand can be hot, dry and humid from January to August. Heavy rains come during the months of September to December.
• Southern Thailand (West Peninsula). The southwest monsoon brings heavy rains and intense storms to Phuket and the rest of the provinces facing the Andaman Sea, particularly from the months of April until October. The rest of the year is hot, dry and humid. Of all the regions in Thailand, the southwest is the wettest, getting an average annual rainfall of more than 1,000 mm than the rest.

In sum, the best months to visit Thailand are from November to February when it is generally cool and dry. While June through October can be soggy, dressing up for the weather and enjoying whatever the rains bring – think river rafting – can spell the difference between boring indoors and fun outdoors.

Now that you understand Thailand weather better, you can plan wisely. If your time of year is not by choice, you can still make the best of it!

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