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Weather & Climate in Sandakan, Malaysia
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sandakan has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 81°F (27°C). Winters average 80°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 154 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 100.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 33 feet.
Temperature
80°F Jan (26°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 80.9°F |
| 50% above US avg | |
| January Average | 80°F (26°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 154 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 33 ft (10 m) |
| Area | 875.0 sq mi (2,266.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 502/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 5.8402°N, 118.1179°W |
| Timezone | Asia/Kuching |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.7.
| Nov 2, 1994 | 35 km ENE of Lahad Datu, Malaysia | M5.7 | 101 km | 55 km |
| Nov 27, 1994 | 92 km NNW of Sanga-Sanga, Philippines | M5.5 | 134 km | 27 km |
| May 26, 1991 | 19 km ESE of Ranau, Malaysia | M5.4 | 144 km | 18 km |
| May 23, 2005 | 54 km NW of Taman Rajawali, Malaysia | M5.3 | 65 km | 19 km |
| May 18, 2008 | 50 km NE of Tawau, Malaysia | M5.0 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Jul 26, 2015 | 41 km NNE of Ranau, Malaysia | M4.6 | 148 km | 15 km |
| May 26, 1991 | 58 km ENE of Ranau, Malaysia | M4.6 | 109 km | 33 km |
| Mar 26, 2017 | 50 km E of Lahad Datu, Malaysia | M4.6 | 125 km | 34 km |
| Jul 4, 1992 | 14 km ESE of Lahad Datu, Malaysia | M4.6 | 103 km | 10 km |
| May 28, 2012 | 26 km S of Lahad Datu, Malaysia | M4.6 | 119 km | 40 km |
| Apr 9, 2008 | 40 km NNE of Semporna, Malaysia | M4.5 | 130 km | 28 km |
| Aug 25, 1991 | 42 km WNW of Semporna, Malaysia | M4.5 | 135 km | 33 km |
| Aug 3, 2019 | 68 km ENE of Ranau, Malaysia | M4.5 | 115 km | 667 km |
| Dec 6, 1996 | 33 km ESE of Lahad Datu, Malaysia | M4.4 | 118 km | 33 km |
| Sep 5, 2014 | 34 km WNW of Semporna, Malaysia | M4.3 | 136 km | 12 km |
| Jul 4, 1992 | 40 km NNE of Tawau, Malaysia | M4.3 | 140 km | 50 km |
| Jan 5, 2018 | 36 km W of Taman Rajawali, Malaysia | M4.3 | 46 km | 10 km |
| Aug 21, 2010 | 38 km N of Lahad Datu, Malaysia | M4.2 | 59 km | 54 km |
| Apr 14, 2020 | 36 km ESE of Lahad Datu, Malaysia | M4.2 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Mar 4, 2016 | 16 km SE of Lahad Datu, Malaysia | M4.1 | 108 km | 35 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2017 | Tembin | Category 1 | 75 mph | 218 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 80°F (26°C) | 12.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 80°F (27°C) | 8.8 in | |
| March | 81°F (27°C) | 5.8 in | |
| April | 82°F (28°C) | 4.4 in | Driest |
| May | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 in | Warmest |
| June | 82°F (28°C) | 7.2 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 7.8 in | |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 8.7 in | |
| September | 81°F (27°C) | 8.2 in | |
| October | 81°F (27°C) | 8.9 in | |
| November | 80°F (27°C) | 9.9 in | |
| December | 80°F (27°C) | 13.3 in | Wettest |
Sandakan has a seasonal temperature swing of 3°F / from 80°F in January to 82°F in May. Total annual precipitation is 100.8 inches, with December being the wettest month (13.3") and April the driest (4.4").