Is It Monsoon in Phnom Penh, Cambodia? Rainfall and Weather by Month

Phnom Penh, Cambodia JANUARY
27°
★★★
Peak season
23° to 31°
Driest & Coolest
The coolest, driest month of the year, when it almost never rains.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
28°
★★★
Peak season
23° to 33°
Dry & Sunny
Still part of the best window, warming up as the year's heat begins to build.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
30°
★★★
Shoulder season
25° to 34°
Heat Builds
Dry season holds, but the heat is climbing fast toward the hottest months of the year.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
31°
★★★
Shoulder season
26° to 35°
Hottest Month
The hottest month of the year, with highs averaging 35°C and peaks reaching 40°C.
🥵 Heat protection💧 Drink water often
31°
★★★
Shoulder season
27° to 34°
Monsoon Arrives
Nearly as hot as April, as the rains set in for the season.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
30°
★★★
Shoulder season
26° to 33°
Steady Rain
Rain becomes a regular fixture, with heat and humidity both high.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
29°
★★★
Off-peak season
26° to 32°
Very Wet
Among the wettest months of the year, with rain a near-daily presence.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
29°
★★★
Shoulder season
26° to 33°
Steady Rain
Similar to July, comparatively humid and wet.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
29°
★★★
Off-peak season
25° to 32°
Very Wet
Rain on more days than any other month, as the wet season nears its peak.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
★★★
Off-peak season
25° to 32°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, with the highest flood risk along the Mekong.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
24° to 31°
Monsoon Withdraws
Rain eases sharply as the monsoon retreats and the dry season approaches.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
27°
★★★
Peak season
23° to 31°
Coolest Month
The coolest month of the year, part of the best window, though an occasional typhoon can still affect the first half.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
Drag through the year Jan
⭐️
Jan
⭐️
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
⭐️
Dec
This month
Rainfall
5 mm
1 rainy day this month
Sunshine
8.5 hrs/day
65% of daylight hours
Humidity
65%
Comfortably humid
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
10 mm
1 rainy day this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
62%
Comfortably humid
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
41 mm
3 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8.5 hrs/day
65% of daylight hours
Humidity
61%
Comfortably humid
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
76 mm
6 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
65%
Comfortably humid
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
135 mm
14 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
70%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
155 mm
15 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
71%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
170 mm
16 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4.5 hrs/day
35% of daylight hours
Humidity
73%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
160 mm
16 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
75%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
226 mm
19 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4.5 hrs/day
35% of daylight hours
Humidity
78%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
254 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
78%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
124 mm
9 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
73%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
46 mm
4 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
68%
Comfortably humid
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
★★★ peak season, ★★☆ decent shoulder months, ★☆☆ true off-peak, based on rain frequency, heat, and haze.
Seasons at a glance
🌟
Peak season: Jan, Feb, Dec
Phnom Penh's dry season and the best time for a visit. December through February is historically the coolest, driest, and sunniest stretch, though typhoons have occasionally still affected the country in the first half of December.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Aug, Nov
This tier spans March through June, plus August and November. The heat builds fast from mid-February through May, the hottest stretch of the year, before the rains settle in for the summer.
☔
Off-peak season: Jul, Sep, Oct
The heart of Phnom Penh's rainy season and its highest flood risk, especially along the Mekong. July, September, and October see the heaviest rain of the year, with October historically the wettest month.
Good to know
🏞️
Sits where three rivers meet
Phnom Penh sits at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac, and Tonle Sap rivers, a meeting point known locally as Chaktomuk.
🌊
October brings the highest flood risk
Rainfall historically peaks in October, and this late-monsoon stretch carries the greatest risk of flooding, especially along the Mekong.
🥵
April is historically the hottest month
Daytime highs average around 35°C in April, with occasional peaks reaching 40°C, before easing slightly through the long rainy months.
🌀
Typhoons are rare but can still affect Cambodia
Typhoons usually pass north into Vietnam and Laos, weakened by the time they might reach Cambodia. When they do occur here, it is generally from mid-October to mid-November, with a peak in early November, and occasionally into early December.
🏛️
Home to the Royal Palace
The Royal Palace and its Silver Pagoda sit near the riverfront, one of the most visited sites in the capital.
Top attractions
1
Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
The residence of Cambodia's king, its Silver Pagoda housing Buddhist treasures including a solid gold Buddha statue.
2
National Museum of Cambodia
A terracotta-roofed museum near the Royal Palace, home to the world's largest collection of Khmer art and sculpture.
3
Riverfront Promenade
A lively strip along the Tonle Sap and Mekong confluence, popular for evening walks, food stalls, and river views.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Phnom Penh?›
Phnom Penh's rainy season historically runs from May to mid-November, with October the wettest month and the highest flood risk, especially along the Mekong.
What is the best time of year to visit Phnom Penh?›
December through mid-February is historically the coolest, driest, and sunniest stretch, and the best time for a visit.
What is the least favorable time to visit Phnom Penh?›
July, September, and October are historically the wettest months, with October carrying the highest flood risk along the Mekong.
Which month has the most rain in Phnom Penh?›
October is historically the wettest month, averaging around 254mm of rain.
Which month is the driest in Phnom Penh?›
January is historically the driest month, when it almost never rains.
How hot does Phnom Penh get?›
April is historically the hottest month, with daytime highs averaging around 35°C and occasional peaks reaching 40°C.
What should I pack for Phnom Penh during the rainy season?›
A light raincoat or umbrella is worth packing from May through mid-November, along with lightweight, natural-fiber clothing year-round.
Does Phnom Penh flood?›
The area around Phnom Penh, especially where the Mekong runs through it, carries a historically higher flood risk in the late monsoon, particularly October.
Do typhoons affect Phnom Penh?›
Rarely, and usually weakened. Typhoons typically pass north into Vietnam and Laos, though Cambodia can occasionally be affected from mid-October to mid-November, with a peak in early November.
Is Phnom Penh the capital of Cambodia?›
Yes. Phnom Penh sits at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac, and Tonle Sap rivers and is home to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda.