Is It Monsoon in Siem Reap, Cambodia? Rainfall and Weather by Month

Siem Reap, Cambodia JANUARY
26°
★★★
Peak season
21° 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
29°
★★★
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
Among the hottest months of the year, still comparatively dry.
🥵 Heat protection💧 Drink water often
31°
★★★
Off-peak season
26° to 35°
Monsoon Arrives
Just as hot as April, as the rains set in for the season.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
29°
★★★
Off-peak season
26° to 33°
Steady Rain
Rain becomes a regular fixture, with heat and humidity both high.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
29°
★★★
Shoulder season
25° to 32°
Steady Rain
Rain a near-daily presence, part of the wetter half of the year.
☔ Umbrella essential⚠️ Flash-flood aware
29°
★★★
Shoulder season
25° to 32°
Steady Rain
Similar to July, comparatively humid and wet.
☔ Umbrella essential⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
★★★
Off-peak season
25° to 31°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year by a wide margin.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
25° to 31°
Rain Eases
Still wet, though easing back somewhat from September's peak.
☔ Umbrella essential⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
24° to 31°
Monsoon Withdraws
Rain drops off sharply as the monsoon retreats earlier here than further south.
☔ Umbrella handy🥵 Heat protection
26°
★★★
Peak season
22° to 30°
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
2 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8.5 hrs/day
65% of daylight hours
Humidity
63%
Comfortably humid
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
5 mm
1 rainy day this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
61%
Comfortably humid
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
30 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
56 mm
8 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
62%
Comfortably humid
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
150 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
69%
Comfortably humid
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
216 mm
18 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6.5 hrs/day
50% of daylight hours
Humidity
74%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
196 mm
18 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4.5 hrs/day
35% of daylight hours
Humidity
76%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
211 mm
18 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
290 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4.5 hrs/day
35% of daylight hours
Humidity
80%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
201 mm
15 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
51 mm
6 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
5 mm
2 rainy days this month
Sunshine
8 hrs/day
62% of daylight hours
Humidity
67%
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
Siem Reap's dry season and the best time for a visit. December through February is historically the coolest, driest, and sunniest stretch, running slightly cooler than Phnom Penh at this time of year.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Mar, Apr, Jul, Aug, Oct, Nov
This tier spans March, April, and August through November. The heat builds fast from mid-February through May, and the monsoon here retreats a little sooner than in the rest of Cambodia, typically by early November.
☔
Off-peak season: May, Jun, Sep
The heart of Siem Reap's rainy season. May, June, and September see the heaviest rain of the year, with September historically the wettest month by a wide margin.
Good to know
🛕
Home to Angkor Wat
Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor Wat and the wider Angkor Archaeological Park, once the capital of the Khmer Empire and among the largest religious monuments in the world.
🌦️
The monsoon retreats a little earlier here
Lying in the north of the country, Siem Reap's monsoon typically withdraws in early November, a bit sooner than the mid-to-late-November retreat seen further south.
🌡️
Slightly cooler winters than Phnom Penh
Siem Reap's winter temperatures historically run a touch lower than the capital's, though the overall seasonal pattern is similar.
🌊
Near Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia's largest lake
Tonle Sap swells dramatically during the rainy season, a short drive from the city and a popular boat-trip destination.
🌀
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, it is generally from mid-October to mid-November, with a peak in early November.
Top attractions
1
Angkor Wat
The largest religious monument in the world, built in the 12th century as a Hindu temple later converted to Buddhist use, best visited around sunrise.
2
Angkor Thom & Bayon Temple
A walled ancient city just north of Angkor Wat, home to the Bayon, famous for its many serene stone faces.
3
Tonle Sap Lake
Southeast Asia's largest lake, home to floating villages, a short boat trip from the city, especially striking when swollen during the rainy season.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Siem Reap?›
Siem Reap's rainy season historically runs from May to early November, with September the wettest month by a wide margin.
What is the best time of year to visit Siem Reap and Angkor Wat?›
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 Siem Reap?›
May, June, and September are historically the wettest months, with September standing out by far.
Which month has the most rain in Siem Reap?›
September is historically the wettest month, averaging around 290mm of rain.
Which month is the driest in Siem Reap?›
January and February are historically tied as the driest months, when it almost never rains.
How hot does Siem Reap get?›
April and May are historically tied as the hottest months of the year.
What should I pack for visiting Angkor Wat in the rainy season?›
A light raincoat or umbrella is worth packing from May through early November, along with comfortable, modest clothing for temple visits.
Does the monsoon end earlier in Siem Reap than the rest of Cambodia?›
Yes. Lying in the north of the country, Siem Reap's monsoon typically retreats in early November, a bit sooner than the mid-to-late-November withdrawal seen further south.
Is Tonle Sap Lake near Siem Reap?›
Yes. Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia's largest lake, sits a short drive from the city and swells dramatically during the rainy season.
Do typhoons affect Siem Reap?›
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.