Phnom Penh features a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons: a hot, dry season from November to April and a wet, humid season from May to October. Temperatures remain warm year-round, with March and April being the hottest months. The city’s weather brings abundant sunshine in the dry months and lush, green scenery during the rainy season.
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.
Phnom Penh’s climate is shaped by its tropical location and monsoon influences, resulting in consistently warm temperatures and pronounced wet and dry seasons. The dry season (November–April) offers warm to hot days, low humidity, and little rainfall. Daytime highs range from 30–34°C, with nights between 21–25°C. March and April are the hottest months, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 35°C. Sunshine is abundant, averaging 8–9 hours per day, especially from December to March. The air is drier and skies are clear, creating ideal conditions for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
The wet season (May–October) is marked by frequent heavy rain, high humidity (up to 90%), and slightly cooler daytime highs of 29–32°C. Rainfall peaks in September and October, with monthly totals often over 240 mm and up to 19 rainy days. Showers are typically intense but brief, often in the afternoon or evening, leaving mornings clearer. The city becomes lush and green, and the Mekong River swells. Despite the rain, sunshine still averages 5–7 hours per day, and the air feels fresher after storms. Winds are generally light to moderate (10–25 km/h), with occasional breezier days during storms. Daylight lasts about 12–13 hours year-round, and UV levels are very high, requiring sun protection in all seasons.
| Average climate data for Phnom Penh, Cambodia | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 31 | 33 | 35 | 35 | 34 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 35 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 25 | 12 | 57 | 100 | 111 | 177 | 197 | 174 | 252 | 318 | 137 | 81 | 1,640 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 12 | 5 | 153 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 73 | 72 | 72 | 73 | 78 | 78 | 80 | 82 | 84 | 83 | 77 | 73 | 77 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| Average UV index | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
The best time to visit Phnom Penh is from December to February, when temperatures are warm (21–32°C), humidity is lower, and rainfall is minimal. These months offer the most comfortable weather for sightseeing, outdoor activities, and exploring the city’s vibrant culture, with long sunny days and pleasant evenings.
The least favourable time to visit is from September to October, when heavy monsoon rains and high humidity peak. Frequent downpours can disrupt travel, cause flooding, and limit outdoor activities. While the city is lush and green, the weather is less predictable and can make sightseeing challenging.
Phnom Penh has a tropical monsoon climate with a hot, dry season from November to April and a wet, humid season from May to October. Temperatures are warm year-round, with only minor seasonal variation.
The hottest months in Phnom Penh are March and April, when daytime highs can reach 35–38°C. Evenings remain warm, and humidity is high, especially before the monsoon rains begin.
The rainy season lasts from May to October, peaking in September and October. Heavy, brief downpours are common, and humidity is very high. Rain often falls in the afternoon or evening.
Phnom Penh never experiences snow or cold weather. The coolest months are December and January, with nighttime lows around 21°C. The city is warm year-round, even in the winter.
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun protection, and a hat for the dry season. Bring an umbrella, waterproof shoes, and quick-drying clothes for the wet season. Always carry water and use sun cream year-round.
Phnom Penh is humid year-round, especially in the rainy season when humidity can reach 90%. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can be stronger during storms or heavy rain.
The best time for river cruises and outdoor activities is during the dry season (December–April), when the weather is sunny and dry. The wet season brings high river levels but can disrupt plans with heavy rain.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is April (34.9 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is November (29.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 32.5 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is May (25.4 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (21.8 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 23.8 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is October (317.6 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (11.7 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,640.2 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is October (24.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (2.5 days). Over the whole year there are 153.5 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is September (84 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is March (71.8 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 77 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 12.1 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 11.6 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 8.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 4 h). Over the whole year there are 6.4 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October (UV index: 12). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, November and December (UV index: 10). Over the whole year the average UV index is 11.5.
