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Weather & Climate in Tawau, Malaysia
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Tawau has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 80°F (27°C). Winters average 79°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 188 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 81.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 39 feet.
Temperature
79°F Jan (26°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 80.0°F |
| 48% above US avg | |
| January Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 188 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 39 ft (12 m) |
| Area | 21.6 sq mi (55.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 17,267/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 4.2448°N, 117.8912°W |
| Timezone | Asia/Kuching |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
16 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 | 126 km | 55 km |
| May 18, 2008 | 50 km NE of Tawau, Malaysia | M5.0 | 50 km | 10 km |
| Aug 3, 2003 | 88 km S of Semporna, Malaysia | M4.9 | 114 km | 33 km |
| Jun 5, 2013 | 40 km SSE of Tarakan, Indonesia | M4.8 | 145 km | 16 km |
| May 28, 2012 | 26 km S of Lahad Datu, Malaysia | M4.6 | 77 km | 40 km |
| Jul 4, 1992 | 14 km ESE of Lahad Datu, Malaysia | M4.6 | 103 km | 10 km |
| Mar 26, 2017 | 50 km E of Lahad Datu, Malaysia | M4.6 | 125 km | 34 km |
| Aug 25, 1991 | 42 km WNW of Semporna, Malaysia | M4.5 | 59 km | 33 km |
| Apr 9, 2008 | 40 km NNE of Semporna, Malaysia | M4.5 | 113 km | 28 km |
| Feb 17, 2021 | 71 km NNW of Tarakan, Indonesia | M4.4 | 76 km | 10 km |
| Dec 6, 1996 | 33 km ESE of Lahad Datu, Malaysia | M4.4 | 107 km | 33 km |
| Jul 4, 1992 | 40 km NNE of Tawau, Malaysia | M4.3 | 41 km | 50 km |
| Sep 5, 2014 | 34 km WNW of Semporna, Malaysia | M4.3 | 67 km | 12 km |
| Aug 21, 2010 | 38 km N of Lahad Datu, Malaysia | M4.2 | 136 km | 54 km |
| Apr 14, 2020 | 36 km ESE of Lahad Datu, Malaysia | M4.2 | 110 km | 10 km |
| Mar 4, 2016 | 16 km SE of Lahad Datu, Malaysia | M4.1 | 96 km | 35 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 79°F (26°C) | 5.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 79°F (26°C) | 5.0 in | Driest |
| March | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 in | |
| April | 81°F (27°C) | 5.9 in | |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 8.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| June | 80°F (27°C) | 6.6 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 7.8 in | |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 7.3 in | |
| September | 80°F (27°C) | 6.6 in | |
| October | 80°F (27°C) | 7.7 in | |
| November | 80°F (27°C) | 7.8 in | |
| December | 80°F (26°C) | 7.7 in |
Tawau has a seasonal temperature swing of 2°F / from 79°F in January to 81°F in May. Total annual precipitation is 81.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (8.0") and February the driest (5.0").