Manila features a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons: a hot, dry season from December to May and a wet, humid season from June to November. Temperatures are warm year-round, averaging 27–34°C by day. Rain is heaviest from July to September, while the dry months offer abundant sunshine and ideal conditions for city exploration.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Manila’s tropical climate is shaped by its proximity to the sea and its location near the equator. The city experiences consistently warm temperatures, with daytime highs ranging from 30°C in January and February to 34°C in April and May. Nights are balmy, rarely dipping below 22°C. Humidity is high year-round, often between 70% and 85%, making the air feel warmer and stickier – especially during the wet season.
The dry season, from December to May, is characterised by clear skies, plenty of sunshine (6–9 hours daily), and minimal rainfall. March and April are the sunniest and hottest months. The wet season begins in June and lasts through November, bringing frequent heavy downpours, especially from July to September. Rain often falls in short, intense bursts, followed by sunny intervals, but flooding can occur in low-lying areas. Typhoons are possible from June to October, with the highest risk in August and September. Despite the rain, temperatures remain warm, and sea breezes help moderate the heat. Manila receives about 2,000 mm of rain annually, with August being the wettest month. Sunshine is still common between showers, and sea temperatures stay warm (27–30°C) all year, ideal for swimming.
| Average climate data for Manila, Philippines | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 28 | 30 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 33 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 22 | 11 | 16 | 35 | 74 | 104 | 165 | 125 | 127 | 74 | 33 | 45 | 830 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 13 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 10 | 12 | 185 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 78 | 75 | 73 | 70 | 72 | 77 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 80 | 78 | 78 | 77 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 27 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 38 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 39 | 49 | 52 | 45 | 36 | 32 | 35 | 36 |
| Average UV index | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
The best time to visit Manila is from January to April, during the dry season. These months offer warm, sunny weather (27–32°C), minimal rainfall, and lower humidity, making them perfect for exploring the city, attending festivals, and enjoying outdoor activities. March and April are the sunniest, though also the hottest, so pack accordingly and stay hydrated.
The least favourable time to visit Manila is from July to September, the peak of the wet season. Heavy rain, high humidity, and the risk of typhoons and flooding can disrupt travel plans and outdoor activities. While prices are lower and crowds thinner, the weather can make sightseeing less enjoyable and some areas may be inaccessible during storms.
Manila has two main seasons: a dry season from December to May and a wet season from June to November. The dry season is hot and sunny, while the wet season is humid with frequent heavy rain and occasional typhoons.
Daytime temperatures in Manila typically range from 30°C in January to 34°C in April and May. Nights are warm, rarely dropping below 22°C. The hottest months are March to May, when heat and humidity peak.
The rainy season in Manila runs from June to November, with the heaviest rain and highest risk of typhoons from July to September. Rain often falls in short, intense bursts, but sunshine is still common between showers.
Yes, Manila is occasionally affected by typhoons, especially from June to October. These storms can bring heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding, so travellers should monitor weather forecasts during this period.
Pack lightweight, breathable clothes, sun protection, and a hat for the dry season. For the wet season, bring a raincoat or umbrella and waterproof shoes. Staying hydrated and planning for sudden weather changes is important year-round.
Yes, sea temperatures stay warm (27–30°C) year-round, making swimming possible in any month. The best beach weather is from December to May, when rain is rare and sunshine is abundant.
Manila is humid year-round, with relative humidity ranging from 70% in the dry season to over 85% in the wet season. The combination of heat and humidity can make the air feel hotter, especially from March to September.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is May (33.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (28.2 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 30.8 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is May (26.4 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (22.9 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 24.7 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is May (29.9 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (27 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 28.5 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (165.3 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (11.2 mm). Over the whole year there are 830.5 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (23.4 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (7 days). Over the whole year there are 185.3 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is September (82 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (69.6 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 76.9 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (11.5 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is May (7.5 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 9.5 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is August (51.7 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is April (26 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 36.4 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 13 h). The months with the shortest days, so the least daylight, are January and December (Average daylight: 11 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is April (Average sunshine: 11 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 6 h). Over the whole year there are 8.3 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (UV index: 7). The month with the lowest average UV index is January (UV index: 6). Over the whole year the average UV index is 6.9.
