Climate Insights for Lahad Datu

The climate in Lahad Datu is cold. The average annual temperature is -56°C and approximately 19mm of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 10mm of rainfall. Lahad Datu sits near the equator, so seasonal temperature differences are minimal throughout the year. Light snow can occur between January and April.

Lahad Datu has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 53°C from the coldest to warmest months. December is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at -19°C with a mean of -25°C. April brings the harshest conditions, with lows dropping to -72°C and an average temperature of -67°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 5°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between November and December, with a 15°C shift in average temperatures.

Lahad Datu is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 19mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 2mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 10mm of rainfall. February and March also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is May, with just 0mm. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic. Light snowfall can occur between January and April, totalling around 19cm annually. January is the snowiest month with approximately 10cm.

Lahad Datu is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 8km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is October, averaging 13km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in December, with average winds dropping to 3km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind speeds vary significantly across the year, with a 10km/h difference between the calmest and windiest months. This level of variation is worth factoring into travel plans. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 5km/h in winter, 8km/h in spring, 10km/h in summer, 10km/h in autumn.

It is currently summer in Lahad Datu, which began on June 21, 2026. Lahad Datu sits near the equator, so the traditional four-season cycle is less pronounced — temperatures remain relatively stable year-round. The warmest period peaks in December at around -19°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in April near -72°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 16 days from now.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Lahad Datu based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.