Winter in Phnom Penh isn’t what most people picture when they think of winter. If you come from a place with snow, you might be surprised. The city sits in a tropical zone, so it stays warm even during the coolest months.
Daytime highs usually hover in the upper 80s °F, and nights drop only into the low to mid-70s °F. That makes winter one of the most comfortable times to be in Cambodia’s capital.
Unlike the rainy months, winter brings drier air and fewer wet days. Skies often stay partly clear. Humidity is still around, but it feels lighter than during the wet season’s peak.
This mix of warmth, sunshine, and less rain makes daily life and travel a lot easier. You’ll notice the difference right away.
With steady weather, winter shapes how people move around the city and plan their days. Outdoor markets, riverside walks, and temple visits become a lot more manageable when you don’t have to dodge heavy rains.
If you want to experience Phnom Penh at its most pleasant, winter hits the sweet spot for comfort and activity.
Overview of Phnom Penh’s Winter Climate
Winter in Phnom Penh brings warm days and mild nights. Rainfall drops compared to the wet season.
You’ll notice steady temperatures, less cloud cover, and days that slowly get longer as winter goes on.
Seasonal Climate Characteristics
During winter, Phnom Penh’s daily highs usually run from 87°F to 93°F (31°C to 34°C). Lows stay near 73°F to 75°F (23°C to 24°C), so nights feel comfortable.
You’ll never see extreme cold here. Even the coolest days still feel warm by most standards.
Rainfall falls off sharply after the wet months. At the start of winter, you might get about 1.4 inches (36 mm) of rain in a month, but by February, it’s down to around 0.5 inches (13 mm). When rain does come, it’s brief.
Cloud cover drops too. Early in winter, skies can be overcast, but by February, nearly half the days are at least partly clear. That means more sunshine and better conditions for outdoor activities.
Humidity stays high, but it doesn’t feel as stifling as in summer. The chance of muggy days drops from about 90% in December to around 84% in February. The air feels lighter.
Winter Months in Cambodia
Winter in Cambodia runs from December through February. These months mark the dry season, when Phnom Penh gets its most consistent and comfortable weather.
December is a bit cooler, with highs around 86°F (30°C) and more clouds. January tends to be the coolest, with nighttime averages dropping to about 73°F (23°C).
By February, temperatures creep back up, and the sky clears out even more.
Daylight changes a little as winter moves along. Late December brings about 11 hours and 27 minutes of daylight. By late February, that stretches to almost 11 hours and 54 minutes.
Sunrise shifts from around 6:04 AM to 6:25 AM, and sunset gets a bit later too.
Tropical Monsoon Influence
Phnom Penh’s climate follows a tropical monsoon pattern. The year splits into wet and dry periods.
Winter falls in the dry stretch, when monsoon rains pull back and cooler air settles in.
You won’t find sharp seasonal changes like in temperate places. Instead, the main differences are in rainfall and humidity.
From May to November, the wet season brings heavy downpours. The dry season, from late November to April, sees much less rain.
Winds shift during winter. Early December brings winds mostly from the north, then they turn east in January, and by February, they swing south. These wind patterns keep rainfall low and the sky clearer.
Because of this monsoon setup, Phnom Penh’s winters stay warm, pretty dry, and reliably good for outdoor plans.
Typical Winter Temperatures in Phnom Penh
Winter in Phnom Penh feels warm compared to much of the world. You’ll get steady daytime heat and mild nights.
Temperature swings from month to month are small.
Average Daytime and Nighttime Temperatures
Daytime highs during winter usually land between 87°F and 93°F (30°C to 34°C). The temperature rarely drops below 81°F (27°C) or climbs above 96°F (36°C).
At night, things stay mild. Lows hover near 74°F (23°C), and the coolest nights might dip to about 68°F (20°C).
You won’t get chilly evenings, but the drop from daytime heat to nighttime warmth brings some relief.
This balance of hot days and warm nights gives winter a stable, predictable feel. You’ll want to dress for heat in the day but can relax outdoors at night.
Monthly Temperature Variations
Winter runs from December through February. In December, daily highs average around 86–88°F (30°C), while nights stay close to 73–74°F (23°C).
January is usually the coolest month. Highs average 86–87°F (30°C), and lows drop to about 73°F (23°C), especially early in the month.
By February, things start warming up again. Highs reach 91–93°F (33–34°C), and lows stay near 74–75°F (23–24°C).
The differences aren’t huge, but you’ll notice January feels a bit cooler, and February brings the heat back.
Record Highs and Lows
Extreme temperatures in Phnom Penh don’t swing much. The highest winter highs might touch 96°F (36°C), while the lowest winter lows only fall to about 68°F (20°C).
The coldest day of the year usually lands in early January, with a daily range of about 73°F to 87°F (23°C to 31°C).
April brings the hottest day of the year, well after winter ends.
You never need cold-weather gear here. Just pack for warmth, and maybe be ready for a hot afternoon or two.
Precipitation Patterns During Winter
Winter in Phnom Penh means the dry season, running from late November through April. Rain becomes rare, humidity drops, and skies clear up compared to the wet months.
These changes really shape how you experience the city and its outdoor life.
Rainfall Amounts and Frequency
From December to February, Phnom Penh gets very little rain. Monthly totals often fall below 10–20 mm, and sometimes it won’t rain at all.
That’s a big change from the wet season, when totals can go over 300 mm per month.
Rainy days are few and far between. You might see just 2–3 days with rain each winter month. Most showers are light and don’t last long.
You probably won’t need an umbrella or raincoat during your stay.
The dry conditions make roads and walkways reliable. Flooding, which can be a headache in the wet season, isn’t an issue in winter.
Humidity Levels in Winter
Humidity drops a lot in the dry season. Average relative humidity falls to about 60–70%, compared to 80–90% during the wet months.
That makes the air feel lighter and more comfortable, especially at night.
Daytime heat still climbs into the mid-80s to low-90s °F (29–34°C), but the lower humidity cuts down on that sticky, tropical feeling.
Nights cool off to 23–25°C (73–77°F), which helps you relax and sleep better.
You’ll still feel some warmth, but with drier air, you can spend more time outside without the discomfort you get during the wet season.
Dry Season Characteristics
Winter in Phnom Penh really shows off the tropical monsoon climate. The northeast trade winds take over, bringing cooler, drier air from inland Asia.
That’s what keeps rainfall and humidity so low.
Skies clear up, and you’ll see more sunshine each day. On average, you get 7–9 hours of sun daily, much more than in the cloudy wet months.
Dry air and steady sunshine make this time popular for outdoor fun and travel. Day trips, walking tours, and cultural visits go off without a hitch from the weather.
Sunshine and Cloud Cover in the Winter Months
During winter, Phnom Penh treats you to mostly dry skies and more sunshine than in the monsoon months. Rainfall drops, clouds break up, and the daylight-to-cloud ratio makes outdoor life a lot more inviting.
Average Daily Sunshine Hours
Phnom Penh gets 7 to 8 hours of sunshine per day on average in winter. December clocks in at about 7.8 hours, while January and February stay close to 8 hours.
That’s a big jump from the rainy months, when you might see less than 5 hours of sun per day.
More sunshine hours mean better days for sightseeing and walking tours. Streets stay dry, and the reliable daylight helps you plan without worrying about sudden downpours.
If you compare winter with July’s peak monsoon, you’ll notice almost double the sunshine. No wonder so many travelers pick this season.
Cloudiness Trends
Clouds thin out a lot during winter. Skies become partly cloudy, and plenty of days are mostly clear.
That’s a big change from the wet season, when thick clouds block the sun and limit visibility.
December and January bring the clearest skies, so you get more open views of the city. By February, skies stay mostly clear but can pick up a little haze as temperatures and dryness rise.
Clearer skies also help lower humidity, so the air feels lighter. You’ll really notice the change if you’ve been here during the muggy months from May through October.
Day Length Variations
Day length in Phnom Penh doesn’t change much because it’s close to the equator. In winter, you get about 11.5 hours of daylight in December and around 11.7 hours in February.
The difference between months is usually less than 30 minutes.
You won’t need to adjust your schedule for shorter or longer days. Unlike places farther north, Phnom Penh’s winter nights aren’t much longer than its days.
Steady daylight and clearer skies mean you can count on good conditions for both morning and evening plans. It’s easy to make the most of your time outdoors.
Wind and Atmospheric Conditions
During winter in Phnom Penh, you’ll notice light to moderate winds and steady air pressure.
These gentle conditions keep things calm and rarely mess with your outdoor plans. They can, however, make the air feel a bit more or less humid, depending on the day.
Typical Wind Speeds
In Phnom Penh, winds stay pretty gentle during winter. Most days bring average speeds of about 3 m/s (around 11 km/h or 7 mph), so you’ll probably just notice a mild breeze, not a rush of wind.
December, January, and February tend to follow this pattern. Sometimes you’ll feel a light push of air on your skin, and you’ll see trees or flags moving a bit.
On the rare stronger days, winds can reach 6 m/s, but that doesn’t happen often. You can usually plan outdoor activities without worrying about gusty conditions.
The breeze actually feels nice, since it cuts through some of the heavy humidity that sticks around even in the cooler months.
So, you get a bit of relief from the heat, but the wind won’t mess with your walk, bike ride, or sightseeing plans.
Air Pressure Patterns
Air pressure in Phnom Penh mostly stays steady during winter. Since the area sits in a tropical monsoon climate, you won’t see the dramatic swings that happen in temperate places.
Typical sea-level pressure readings hang out around 1010 to 1015 hPa. Daily weather systems might nudge these numbers up or down a little, but you probably won’t feel much difference.
When pressure stays stable, weather gets more predictable. Rainfall drops off in winter, and that steady pressure keeps skies mostly clear or just partly cloudy.
If you travel here, you might appreciate the lack of sudden weather changes. People who are sensitive to pressure shifts often find Phnom Penh’s winter atmosphere easier to handle than places with constant storms or cold snaps.
How Winter Weather Affects Life in Phnom Penh
During winter, milder temperatures and lower rainfall make life in Phnom Penh feel a lot more comfortable. With less humidity and fewer rainy days, getting around the city feels easier, and you can dive into cultural activities that the rainy season tends to put on hold.
Travel and Outdoor Activities
Traveling around Phnom Penh gets simpler in winter since roads stay dry and flooding rarely happens. Rainfall drops below 2 inches per month, and the odds of a wet day shrink to about 8%.
It’s a lot easier to grab a tuk-tuk, hop on a motorbike, or ride a bike without stressing about heavy rain. Outdoor sightseeing feels nicer too.
Daytime highs usually land between 87°F and 93°F. Nights cool off to the low 70s, which makes evenings more comfortable.
With fewer clouds, you get clearer skies—perfect if you want to check out the Royal Palace or Wat Phnom.
The Mekong riverfront becomes a better spot to hang out. Jogging, walking, or having dinner outside feels more enjoyable when humidity dips a little compared to the wet season.
Sure, it’s still warm and a bit muggy, but with less rain and more predictable weather, your outdoor plans are way less likely to get ruined.
Seasonal Events and Festivals
Winter lines up with some of Cambodia’s biggest cultural events. Independence Day in November and Victory Day in early January usually bring parades and public gatherings to Phnom Penh. People flock to these events, and the dry weather really helps.
The Chinese New Year comes around in late January or February, filling the streets with lion dances, fireworks, and family celebrations. Since the skies stay clearer and rain barely shows up, you can actually enjoy these events without worrying about sudden downpours.
Markets and street fairs pick up, especially near the riverside and in central districts. Vendors and performers set up shop during the long, dry days. You’ll find food stalls, crafts, and live music, all in much more comfortable weather.
The cooler evenings? They make wandering these gatherings a lot nicer, without that intense April heat hanging over you.