Weather & Climate

Summary

The hottest month of the year in Siem Reap is April with intense heat during the day and very high humidity during the night. The coolest months of the year are December and January, when you might actually see people wearing coats in the evening. The climate of Siem Reap does not stop you from visiting Angkor at any time of the year.

Cambodia is not affected by tsunamis or earthquakes and although typhoons and tropical cyclones often hit the coast of Vietnam, they never reach Siem Reap.

Siem Reap can be visited at any time of year though, because even during the rainy season the temples are still open. The road from Poipet to Siem Reap used to be heavily affected by the rain, but now the road is much improved. During the rainy season, the streets of Siem Reap are sometimes flooded and the river does overflow due to the poor drainage system, but normally the water drains away during the night.

Seasons

Siem Reap's climate can be broken down into four seasons as follows:

November to February is cool and dry with the day temperatures somewhere between 20 and 30 degrees celsius. During these months in Siem Reap it can get quite cool in the evenings, but during the day it is still quite hot. December, January and February are the peak high season and this is the best time to see Angkor when the skies are normally clear with perfect sunrises and sunsets. If you are getting up for sunrise during these months you will probably need a heavier piece of clothing, especially if you are going on a tuk tuk. There is very little rain during these months, but when there is it is usually in either January or February. The humidity is quite low around 50% during the day, but in the evening it often increases to about 80%, especially in February.

Siem Reap is hot and dry in March, April and May with day temperatures between 28 and 38 degrees celsius. During these months it gets very hot with intense heat during the day and high humidity in the evenings. Humidity in Siem Reap during the day can be over 70% and in the evenings it can be 90%. Air conditioning is recommended, because fans do very little to help in these temparatures. The skies are still pretty clear during these months, so you can still see good sunrises and sunsets.

June, July and August are hot and wet with day temperatures between 28 and 38 degrees celsius. This is when the rains really start in Siem Reap and when the weather and climate is so hot and humid, you are actually glad when the rain showers come as it freshens the air a bit. The humidity during the day reaches 70% and in the evenings it reaches 90%. It is still a good time to visit the temples, however, because when the rain does come it is normally around 4pm and eases off by the next morning, when the skies are often clear until later in the day again. Sunrises and sunsets are harder to see during these months. A light rain coat is recommended at this time of year and also a strong trainer type shoe that have a grip for climbing the temples when the stone is wet.

September to October is cool and wet with day temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees celsius. These are the wettest months of the year with wet and cold weather. The humidity is lower during the day although still quite high in the evenings. A light rain coat is strongly advised, because it can rain at anytime, although it normally starts around 4pm. Strong trainer type shoes with a good grip are also recommended for climbing the temples as the stone is often wet and slippery. Sunrises are not worth getting up for and sunsets are not very good so look at the sky before your driver or guide asks you if you want to see a sunset. September and October are some of the nicest months of the year for scenery especially if you are interested in photography, as this is when the countryside is lush and green with rice fields stretching for miles and the trees with all of their leaves. Siem Reap is normally pretty quiet this time of year because visitors tend to keep away from the rainy season, but it is not so wet that you can not visit and the plus side is there are not so many tourists around so many prices are cheaper at this time of year.

Protecting yourself from the sun

The weather in Siem Reap is hot all year around, so you need to protect yourself from the sun’s rays, even on a cloudy day during the rainy season in September and October. The heat in Siem Reap during April and May is particularly intense, as the sun is very strong at this time of year. You should always protect yourself using sun protection lotion, a hat and maybe even an umbrella, especially when you are visiting Angkor temples or out on a boat trip to see one of the floating villages on Tonle Sap. Always drink plenty of water when visiting the temples or if you are out in the sun for long periods of time.