Destination Cambodia
When to Travel?
Fortunately, the weather in Cambodia is quite often predictable. The country basks in hot tropical sunshine all year round but the seasons can basically be divided into the following categories:
November – February
The cool dry season with no rain. Morning and evening temperatures are very pleasant but can still rise to 30 degrees Celsius during the afternoons. This is the ideal period to be touring the temples of Angkor, however, is considered to be the ‘peak season’ of travel.
Average minimum temp: 20/22 Average maximum: 30/31
March – May
Very hot and dry with humidity build up in April. The weather at this time can be particularly uncomfortable for some visitors with temperatures rising to 35 degrees Celsius and above. The moist humid air that proceeds the wet season can be particularly oppressive when walking around the Angkor temples.
To travel at this time we recommend doing what the locals do and maximize sightseeing time in the relative coolness of the early mornings and late afternoons.
Average minimum temp: 25/27 Average maximum temp: 34/35
June – October
May can still be very hot if the rains come late, however, once into June the parched earth suddenly becomes green and lush from the sudden abundance of water. The air is refreshed for short periods and it can be a good time to travel if wishing to avoid the crowds of the high season. The air remains very humid however, and days are still hot.
Flooding in Phnom Penh is often a problem after a torrential downpour; however, the storms that occur over the temples and forests at Angkor at this time can be spectacular.
For those that have visited the Angkor region at this time, special moments can be had wandering the stone temples in solitude during an afternoon tropical downpour. The rain rarely prolongs throughout the day and evenings and, in general, comes in the form of a predictable short, sharp afternoon burst.
Average min temp: 24/25 Average max temp: 32/33
Climate
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Temperature – Phnom Penh | ||||||||||||
| High (°C) | 31 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 |
| Low (°C) | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 |
| High (°F) | 89 | 91 | 94 | 95 | 94 | 91 | 90 | 90 | 89 | 89 | 86 | 86 |
| Low (°F) | 72 | 72 | 73 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 73 | 72 |
| Average Humidity – Phnom Penh | ||||||||||||
| % | 68 | 66 | 66 | 66 | 74 | 76 | 77 | 79 | 82 | 80 | 76 | 72 |
| Average Wet Days – Phnom Penh | ||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 9 | 4 | |
