By Andy Noorlander
Ipoh, one of northwest Malaysia's most important travel hubs, sees hot and humid weather year-round much like the rest of the region. But if you're planning to explore the nearby Buddhist cave temples, find relaxation on Palau Pangkor or roam the Cameron Highlands, it helps to know the slight seasonal changes in Ipoh's climate and weather.
Temperatures
In line with the rest of northwest peninsular Malaysia, sees warm temperatures year-round. They rarely fall below 70 degree F even after dark, and commonly reaches above 85 degrees F during the day. Average daily temperatures don't even span 3 degrees F: from a low of 78.3 degrees F in December to a high of 81 degrees F in May.
Rainfall
Ipoh's rainiest months, considered its "monsoon," are October through December (averaging 11.4 inches of rainfall per month) as well as April (10.5 inches). The driest months are June to August (averaging 5.9 inches) as well as February (5.7 inches). See the full chart at the World Climate link below.
When to Go
Ipoh and its surrounds can be visited year-round. Despite minor fluctuations, temperatures, precipitation and humidity levels are relatively constant throughout the full length of the calendar.
Haze
Like much of the Malaysian peninsula and Indonesia, the area surrounding Ipoh has been affected by smog-like haze believed to stem from forest fires on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. At certain times the haze in this region can become alarmingly visible, and in 1997 and 2005 the region's Air Pollution Index (API) reached dangerous levels. It is wise to check for haze conditions when planning a trip to Ipoh.
Meteorological Data
For the most copious of travelers and intrepid of photographers, specific meteorological information for Ipoh regarding exact sunset, sunrise, moonrise and moonset times can be found at the Malaysian Meteorological Department's website, linked below.
Resources
About the Author:
Andy has attended schools all over the world but is now on the leg last of her Bachelors Degree at Brigham Young University through Independent Study while living in China. She has studied Spanish, Finnish, and Mandarin and is majoring in English literature. She has been a writer fro Demand Studios for over a year.
