Best Time to Visit Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia
Month-by-month climate guide for planning a trip to Butterworth.
Butterworth does not have a month that clearly fits our sunny profiles. Its practical travel window centres on its warmest (March, 28.5°C / 83.3°F) and driest (February, 91 mm / 3.6 in) months. The drier stretch runs through June–August and December–March; the wetter half falls in April–May and September–November. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from 27.4°C / 81.3°F in September to 28.5°C / 83.3°F in March, with rainfall from 91 mm / 3.6 in (February) to 394 mm / 15.5 in (October). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Butterworth's climate is broadly tropical. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | 28.2°C82.8°F | 91 mm3.6″ | Tropical |
| January | 27.7°C81.9°F | 113 mm4.4″ | Tropical |
| March | 28.5°C83.3°F | 153 mm6″ | Tropical |
No month at Butterworth matches our sunny profiles. The three above are the driest-and-warmest fallback.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Butterworth?
Butterworth doesn't have a month that clearly matches our sunny profiles. The practical travel window centres on February (driest, ~91 mm / 3.6 in) and March (warmest, 28.5°C / 83.3°F). Because these are point values at the city, they can differ substantially from Malaysia's national average.
When is the rainy season in Butterworth?
The rainy season at Butterworth, Penang runs through April–May and September–November, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 204 mm / 8 in. The wettest single month is October (394 mm / 15.5 in).
What is the driest month in Butterworth?
The driest month in Butterworth is February, averaging about 91 mm / 3.6 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages 28.2°C / 82.8°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Butterworth?
The least comfortable months for travel to Butterworth — based on point-value climate at the city — are September, October, November, December. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 394 mm / 15.5 in in October, and the coldest month averages 27.4°C / 81.3°F.
Is Butterworth climate different from Malaysia overall?
Yes, usually. Our Butterworth figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our Malaysia figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Butterworth specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.