Weather and climate in Medan (Indonesia)

The climate of Medan is equatorial, hot, humid and rainy all year round, although the rains are more frequent and abundant from August to December, with a maximum in October, and less frequent from February to April, and in June and July.
The city is located in the north of the island of Sumatra, on the east coast, overlooking the Strait of Malacca, at 3 degrees north latitude.
Even though the temperatures are stable, there is a slightly warmer period from April to August, during which the temperature can reach 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). At night, the temperature almost never drops below 20 °C (68 °F).
During the wettest period, from August to December, particularly heavy rains can sometimes occur, which can give rise to flash floods.
Since we are close to the Equator, the length of day and night is very similar throughout the year. The day lasts 12 hours 20 minutes on June 21, and 11 hours 55 minutes on December 21. The sun reaches the zenith at noon around September 13 and March 30.
Being close to the equator, Medan is typically not directly affected by tropical cyclones. From April to December, a cyclone can occasionally form in the Strait of Malacca north of Sumatra, which then heads towards the Andaman Sea. In late December 2001, tropical storm Vamei followed an anomalous trajectory, in fact it formed at a very low latitude and directly affected the island of Sumatra.

Medan - Climate data

The average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 27.0 °C (80.6 °F), that of the warmest month (May) is of 28.5 °C (83.3 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 2030 millimeters (79.9 inches) per year: it is therefore abundant. It ranges from 90 mm (3.5 in) in the driest month (February) to 260 mm (10.2 in) in the wettest one (October). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 29 °C (84 °F) in January, February, November, December to 30 °C (86 °F) in April, May, June, July. Here are the average sea temperatures.
There are on average around 1590 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Medan - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.1 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 23.2 °C (73.7 °F) and a maximum of 31 °C (87.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 140 mm (5.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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February is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.5 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.2 °C (73.8 °F) and a maximum of 31.8 °C (89.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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March is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.1 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 23.6 °C (74.6 °F) and a maximum of 32.6 °C (90.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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April is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.4 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24 °C (75.1 °F) and a maximum of 32.8 °C (91.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (95.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (86 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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May, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.2 °C (75.5 °F) and a maximum of 32.9 °C (91.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (73 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 175 mm (6.9 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (86 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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June is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.3 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 23.8 °C (74.8 °F) and a maximum of 32.9 °C (91.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (72 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (95.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (86 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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July is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.1 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 23.5 °C (74.3 °F) and a maximum of 32.6 °C (90.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (72 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (85.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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August is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.9 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.5 °C (74.2 °F) and a maximum of 32.4 °C (90.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 180 mm (7.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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September is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.6 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.3 °C (74 °F) and a maximum of 31.8 °C (89.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 210 mm (8.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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October is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.4 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 23.5 °C (74.3 °F) and a maximum of 31.3 °C (88.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 260 mm (10.2 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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November is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.3 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 23.6 °C (74.4 °F) and a maximum of 31 °C (87.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 245 mm (9.6 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (3 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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December, the least warm month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.0 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 23.4 °C (74 °F) and a maximum of 30.7 °C (87.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 230 mm (9.1 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 27% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.