Seasons of the Year Seasons in Cambodia
Typical division of a year into seasons isn’t quite appropriate to Cambodian weather. Basically there are two seasons dry and rainy. This is the feature of tropical monsoon climate type. Rainy season lasts from July to September and amount of precipitation during this period is extreme. Hard impetuous showers with almost daily frequency cause floods on Tonle Sap the main lake of country.
Dry season between November and April is the best time visit Cambodia. Rains are over and temperature at winter months is quite comfortable. On the other hand this is the “high season” so prices are higher than at rainy season.
Seasons
Contents:
March-May in Cambodia
March and April in Cambodia are dry and hot months. First month of spring is good for cultural tourism and visiting natural sights. Prices and temperature are lower comparing to winter period. Rains are yet to come. Daytime temperature is about 33 °C (91 °F).
April is the hottest month of a year. Average daytime temperature reaches 36 °C (97 °F). Leap of temperature causes drop of prices. Seaside holidays or diving are preferable types of activities during vacation in Cambia at April.
Rainy Season (May to November)
Seas at May aren’t comfortable and frequency of rains increases in addition. So it’s better to dedicate visit to Cambodia at late spring to excursions to temples and other kinds of inland activities.
Climate from March to May
| March Max average t°: +34 °C (93 °F) Min average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Sundial in the day: 8.5 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 30 mm (1.2") |
| April Max average t°: +34.5 °C (94 °F) Min average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Sundial in the day: 8.5 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 88 mm (3.5") |
| May Max average t°: +34 °C (93 °F) Min average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 13 days Precipitation: 146 mm (5.8") |
(Phnom Penh)
Holidays
March 8 – International Women's Day.
April 14-16 – Khmer New Year.
April-May (variable date) – Visak Bochea (Day of Buddha’s Birth).
May 1 – Labor Day.
May 13-15 – King Norodom Sihamoni's Birthday.
Variable date in May - Royal Ploughing Ceremony.
June-August in Cambodia
Cambodian summer is rainy and windy. Oceanic monsoons are driving heavy rainclouds back and forth. Sky becomes cloudy in a blink of an eye. Than 15 minutes of extreme shower and weather is sunny again. Those sudden transitions may occur several times per day.
Temperature remains somewhere around 33 °C (91 °F) through whole summer. During July and August seaside vacations aren’t best option. Rains and hurricanes are forcing to prefer inland activities. Luckily cultural features and diversity of historical heritage provide lots of experiences. Main concern is in damp dirt roads which are still prevailing in Cambodia.
Climate from June to August
| June Max average t°: +33 °C (91 °F) Min average t°: +24.5 °C (76 °F) Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 116 mm (4.6") |
| July Max average t°: +31.5 °C (89 °F) Min average t°: +24 °C (76 °F) Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours Rainy days: 13 days Precipitation: 130 mm (5.1") |
| August Max average t°: +31.5 °C (89 °F) Min average t°: +24.5 °C (76 °F) Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 140 mm (5.5") |
(Phnom Penh)
Holidays
June 1 – International Children's Day.
June 15 – on that day in 1965, the International Court of Justice ruled that the temple of Prea Viehea belongs to Cambodia.
June 18 – Queen Mother's Birthday.
September-November in Cambodia
At September rainy season starts to slow down. Frequency and intensity of showers are decreasing. It is good time for both seaside vacation and sightseeing. But neighborhoods of Tonle Sap are insecure because of probability of flooding. At October temperature drops a bit to about 30 °C (86 °F). This is the threshold of high season. Change of winds decreases amount of precipitation but increases cloudiness.
Dry Season (November to March-April)
November marks beginning of dry season. It is a good time for any types of activities in Cambodia so tourists flow is gradually gaining momentum through November.
Climate from September to November
| September Max average t°: +31 °C (88 °F) Min average t°: +24 °C (76 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 18 days Precipitation: 212 mm (8.4") |
| October Max average t°: +30 °C (87 °F) Min average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 17 days Precipitation: 219 mm (8.6") |
| November Max average t°: +30 °C (86 °F) Min average t°: +23 °C (74 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 109 mm (4.3") |
(Phnom Penh)
Holidays
September 24 – Constitution Day.
3 days of October with variable date – Pchum Ben (paying a respect for deceased relatives in Buddhist tradition).
October 15 – Commemoration Day of King's Father.
October 21 – Paris Peace Agreement Day.
October 29 – Coronation Day of King Sihamoni.
November 9 – Independence Day.
3 days in October or November with variable dates – Water Festival.
December-February in Cambodia
Winter months are the best time to visit Cambodia. Temperature is comfortable, rainy season is behind (or ahead depending on point of view) and winds have calmed down. Thus tours to Cambodia at December are popular so there might be difficulties with booking flight or hotel. These issues should be settled beforehand.
Other two months of winter are the heist of tourists’ season. All of possible experiences of Cambodia are available with no obstacles. At least in terms of weather conditions. Naturally peak of possibilities is accompanied by peak of prices. This should taking in to account while planning visit to Cambodia at winter.
Climate from December to February
| December Max average t°: +30 °C (86 °F) Min average t°: +22 °C (71 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 38 mm (1.5") |
| January Max average t°: +31 °C (88 °F) Min average t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Sundial in the day: 8.5 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 28 mm (1.1") |
| February Max average t°: +32 °C (90 °F) Min average t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 9 mm (0.35") |
(Phnom Penh)
Holidays
December 10 – Human Rights Day.
January 1 – New Year.
January 7 – Victory Day over Genocide.
Variable date of February – Meak Bochea (commemorating of Buddha’s preaching).
