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"Rain is grace; rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life."
(John Updike (b. 1932), U.S. author, critic. Self-Consciousness: Memoirs, ch. 1 (1989).)
Taiping is famous for its rains and the local people fondly called this wet and rainy town - "Rain Town", "Raintown "or "Town of Rain".
"The highest rainfall recorded occurs in the Larut Hills (Maxwell Hill) where the average at "The Cottage" (1376 m ) is 5893 mm. Taiping itself, at the foot of the hills has the highest rainfall of all the low-level stations with an average of 4216 mm". (Malaysian Meteorological Service, Summary of Observations 1983, page vii, published 1985)
However, Sandakan in Sabah recorded 5687 mm of rain in 2006 and is now the current town with the highest rainfall in a year.
Taiping is located on the lowlands between the sea on the west and the hill ranges of Bukit Larut or Maxwell Hill (about 1,250 metres or 4,101 feet above sea level) as a backdrop on the east. The distance (straight line) between Kuala Sepetang to the hill-top at Bukit Larut is about 18km.
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| Kuala Sepetang - Bukit Larut 18km |
The weather in Malaysia is characterised by two monsoon regimes, namely, the Southwest Monsoon from late May to September, and the Northeast Monsoon from November to March.
The Northeast Monsoon brings heavy rainfall, particularly to the east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia and western Sarawak. During this period, Taiping receives the most rains especially during October-November and March-April (see rainfall chart below).
The Southwest Monsoon is comparatively drier throughout peninsular Malaysia. During this season, most states experience monthly rainfall minimum (typically 100 - 150 mm). This is attributed to relatively stable atmospheric conditions in the equatorial region accentuated by the rain shadow effect of the Sumatran mountain range. This relatively "dry season" is also reflected in Taiping as the June to August are the driest months (see rainfall chart below) in this "rain town".
During the inter-monsoon periods, winds are light and variable. Morning skies are often clear and this favours thunderstorm development in the afternoon. In the west coast states of Peninsular Malaysia, thunderstorms contribute to a mean monthly rainfall maximum in each of the two transition periods.
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| Rising Clouds over Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hills) in the afternnon |
When masses of air pushed by wind are forced up the side of the elevated land of Bukit Larut, the ascending air cools, condenses and falls as rain over Taiping. This is called relief rainfall.
Taiping Monthly Average Data
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| Altitude: about 19m asl (Scource: MET Dept. Malaysia) |
The average maximum temperature is around 33o C and the minimum around 24oC.
Taiping (TPG) monthly climate averages, providing yearly high and low temperature and rainfall data. Weather data for Taiping including average rainfall, temperature etc. HERE
Seven days weather outlook for Taiping by Malaysian Meteorological Department:
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| MOSTI MET Website |
Weather forecasts for Taiping for 10 days
Weather for Malaysia
Check out temperature, cloud, weather, wind and rain for the whole of Malaysia. |
| Malaysia Weather Map Link |
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Want To Bet?
Betting on Taiping Weather - a way to win or lose a fortune...
Taiping is the only town in Malaysia where this unique and interesting way of betting is played out almost daily. Read more about rain-betting from Taiping To The World
Another blog has this interesting note to add to this game.. Ah Pek Biker
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Listen To The Falling Rain
The Cascades
Learn more about the Monsoon in Malaysia
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Learn more about Clouds in Malaysia
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