Jakarta is hot and humid every day of the year, and the only real change is in the rain: a long wet season around the turn of the year and a drier, sunnier spell in the middle of it. Its clock is Western Indonesia Time, UTC+7, with no daylight saving.
Climate overview
Jakarta sits on the low north-west coast of Java, on a flat plain crossed by rivers flowing down from the volcanic highlands to the Java Sea. Its climate is tropical monsoon (Köppen Am): hot and humid throughout the year, with a long wet season and a shorter dry season.
Temperatures barely change. Average highs vary only from 31°C to 33°C through the year, and the average low stays within a degree of 25°C in every month. Being so close to the equator, the city also has almost the same day length all year.
Annual rainfall is about 1,933 mm, falling on around 118 days. From November to April the north-west monsoon brings the wet season, with January and February the wettest months: February averages 381 mm. From June to September the south-east monsoon brings drier air from Australia, and August is the driest month at 52 mm. Cloud keeps sunshine fairly low for the tropics, at around 1,501 hours a year.
Jakarta through the seasons
Wet season (November to April)
Rain falls on many days, sometimes as heavy, prolonged downpours lasting several hours: February sees rain on around 18 days. Flooding affects parts of the city in most wet seasons, causing major traffic disruption. Temperatures are slightly lower, with highs around 31°C at the peak of the rains, and skies are often grey, with the fewest sunshine hours of the year.
Transition (May)
Rainfall drops noticeably, to about 103 mm in May. Skies become brighter and the air feels a little less oppressive, although afternoon storms are still common.
Dry season (June to September)
These are the driest and brightest months, with highs around 33°C. Short showers can still occur, but long rainy spells are rare, and August sees rain on only around 3 days. September is the sunniest month, with 177 hours of sunshine. Air quality can deteriorate in this season, as traffic, industry and the lack of rain allow pollution to build up.
Transition (October)
Rain returns gradually, with about 112 mm in October, and thunderstorms become more common towards the end of the month as the wet season sets in.
What makes Jakarta's weather distinctive
Flooding is Jakarta's biggest weather challenge. Heavy rain, overflowing rivers, high tides and land subsidence combine to flood parts of the city in most wet seasons. Some northern districts are sinking quickly because of groundwater extraction, and parts of the city now lie below sea level. The floods of early 2020, which began with record rain on New Year's Day, affected large areas of the capital. Indonesia's decision to build a new capital, Nusantara, on Borneo is partly linked to these pressures.
Air quality is the other frequent concern, particularly in the dry season, when Jakarta can rank among the most polluted major cities in the world on some days. Checking the air quality index before outdoor activity is worthwhile.
Heat is constant but rarely extreme. Because temperatures change so little, it is the humidity and the rain that shape a day. Our Weather page shows the live conditions and forecast.
Best time to visit Jakarta
June to September is the best time to visit, during the dry season, with less rain and a lower flood risk. August and September are usually the driest and sunniest months.
The wet season is still manageable for city travel, as most of what visitors do is indoors or in air-conditioned transport, but allow extra time for traffic and keep plans flexible on days of heavy rain. If you are travelling on to other parts of Indonesia, remember that rainy seasons vary across the archipelago.
What to pack
- Lightweight, breathable clothing
- An umbrella or rain jacket in the wet season
- Waterproof sandals or shoes
- Modest clothing for mosques, including the Istiqlal Mosque, and conservative areas
- Sunscreen, insect repellent and a mask for poor air-quality days
- A light layer for strongly air-conditioned malls and offices
Time in Jakarta
Jakarta uses the Asia/Jakarta time zone, Western Indonesia Time (WIB), at UTC+7 all year; Indonesia does not observe daylight saving time. The country spans three time zones: WIB for Sumatra, Java and western Kalimantan, Central Indonesia Time (WITA, UTC+8) for Bali, Sulawesi and the rest of Kalimantan, and Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT, UTC+9) for Maluku and Papua. A flight from Jakarta to Bali therefore crosses a time zone. Jakarta shares its clock with Bangkok and is currently 7 hours ahead of London.
| With | Difference | Time in Jakarta | Their time |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | −7 h | 16:00–18:00 | 09:00–11:00 |
| New York | −12 h | No overlap | – |
| Dubai | −3 h | 12:00–18:00 | 09:00–15:00 |
| Tokyo | +2 h | 09:00–16:00 | 11:00–18:00 |
| Sydney | +4 h | 09:00–14:00 | 13:00–18:00 |
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 March | 05:56 | 18:03 | 12 h 6 min |
| 21 June | 06:01 | 17:47 | 11 h 45 min |
| 22 September | 05:42 | 17:48 | 12 h 6 min |
| 21 December | 05:35 | 18:05 | 12 h 29 min |
Frequently asked questions
When is the rainy season in Jakarta?
The wet season runs from November to April, with January and February the wettest months.
What is the driest month in Jakarta?
August, with about 52 mm of rain on average.
Why does Jakarta flood so often?
Heavy rain, rivers swollen by rain in the highlands, high tides and land subsidence all combine, and parts of the city lie below sea level.
Is Jakarta hot all year?
Yes. Highs stay between 31°C and 33°C in every month, with high humidity and warm nights.
Is Bali on the same time as Jakarta?
No. Bali is on Central Indonesia Time, one hour ahead of Jakarta.