The Weather and Climate in Cambodia

Cambodia, as most South Asian nations, experiences two distinct seasons, the wet and dry seasons.

During the months of May to October, people in Cambodia call the umbrella their best friend as the Southwest Monsoon brings in 75% of Cambodia’s annual rain. Usually, the rainy season drenches the land more from July to September because the peak of the rainy season is observed from these months. The saying “When it rains, it pours,” must have been talking about Cambodia’s peak rainy season as the downpour occurs 2 days out of 3 days. Getting wet from the rain is the least problem Cambodians get during this wet season but rather the floods and diseases that come with the stocked water. Road maintenance is quite a challenge for road engineers as the incessant downpour deteriorate the sturdiness of the roads. During this season, temperatures drop to around 22°C.   

November to April would be the dry months in this side of the world as the Southwest Monsoon winds have already passed by the country and is off to pestering another country. Cambodia experiences a relative calm during the months of January to February making it the best time for tourists to visit and explore the splendor of the country. January to February has still the Northwest Monsoon blowing without the rains and so the temperature is relatively cool with an accompanying low relative humidity.

When going to Cambodia for the purpose of seeing the famous Angkor Wat, the best time go there is when there is a bit of rain, probably towards the end of October to November. Angkor Wat is just teeming with life as lush greenery surrounds the ruins and the different bird life come out to frolic in the last days of rain.