Winter in Battambang brings warm, steady weather that feels comfortable compared to the heavy rains of the monsoon season. Daytime highs usually sit between the mid-80s and low-90s °F, with nights cooling down to the low 70s °F.
This season feels like one of the best times to be in Battambang. You get to enjoy the city and its surroundings without the extremes of heat or rainfall.
Cloud cover gradually fades as the season goes on, so the skies clear up more and more as winter progresses. Rain doesn’t show up often—just the occasional light shower here and there.
Daylight lasts a bit longer too, giving you more hours to wander the city or head out into the countryside.
With these steady patterns, winter brings a nice balance of warmth, sunshine, and humidity that doesn’t get out of hand. If you know what to expect, you can plan your time here with ease, whether you’re chasing cultural sites, relaxing outdoors, or just soaking in the climate at a slower pace.
Overview of Battambang’s Winter Climate
Winter in Battambang means drier air, cooler nights, and not much rain compared to the monsoon months. Daytime stays comfortable, humidity drops, and skies clear up—making this period one of the most favorable times for getting outside and traveling around.
Typical Seasonal Weather Patterns
From December through February, Battambang sees mild to warm days and cooler nights. Daytime temperatures usually range from 26–28 °C (79–82 °F), while nights can dip to around 21–23 °C (70–73 °F).
Rainfall drops off a lot in winter. January and December tend to get only 14 mm (0.6 in) of precipitation, which makes everything look and feel much drier than after the wet season.
Humidity drops too, often hovering between 55–61%, a lot less than during the monsoon. With fewer rainy days, skies are clearer, and sunshine sticks around for about 8–9 hours per day.
These stable conditions make it easier for visitors to plan their days.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Battambang’s rainy season runs from May to October, and it’s way more humid and wetter than winter. September alone can get up to 200 mm (7.9 in) of rain, while January barely hits 20 mm.
Winter temperatures feel a bit cooler than the hot season (like April), when averages reach nearly 30 °C (86 °F) and highs push past 35 °C (95 °F). In winter, highs usually stick to 30–32 °C (86–89 °F), so things feel less intense.
You’ll notice the comfort difference right away. Lower humidity and less rain make winter much better for walking, biking, and checking out local sites. It’s a big relief compared to the sticky, muggy months.
Factors Influencing Local Climate
Battambang’s winter climate comes from its tropical monsoon system and its spot in western Cambodia. Northeast monsoon winds blow in during this time, bringing dry air from inland Asia.
This leads to less cloud cover and lower rainfall.
Battambang sits at a low elevation, about 17 meters (56 feet) above sea level, so temperatures stay warm year-round. The wind shift between seasons is what brings the most noticeable changes between dry and wet periods.
Because the city’s close to the equator, you don’t get wild temperature swings. Nights might cool off a bit, but the difference between seasons is only about 3–4 °C (6–7 °F).
Overall, Battambang’s winter climate stays warm but feels a lot more comfortable than other parts of the year.
Average Winter Temperatures
Winter in Battambang stays warm compared to most places, with only small changes between day and night. Mornings feel comfortable, afternoons stay warm, and you don’t see much variation across the season.
Daytime Highs and Lows
During winter, daytime highs usually land around 86°F (30°C) in early December and climb to about 94°F (34°C) by late February. Temperatures almost never go above 98°F (37°C), so the heat stays manageable compared to peak summer.
At night, lows average about 72°F (22°C). On cooler nights, you might see it dip to 69°F (21°C), but it rarely drops below 63°F (17°C).
Evenings stay mild and comfortable, and you don’t need heavy clothes.
Day and night temperatures don’t swing wildly, so your daily plans become pretty straightforward—whether you’re sightseeing or heading out into the countryside.
Monthly Temperature Trends
Temperatures in Battambang rise steadily through winter. December starts off with the coolest days, averaging 86°F (30°C), and nights around 70°F (21°C).
By January, daytime highs bump up to 89°F (32°C), while nights hang near 69–72°F (21–22°C).
February is the warmest winter month, with highs reaching 92–94°F (33–34°C). Nights still feel mild, averaging 72–74°F (22–23°C).
You’ll notice this gradual warming if you stay a few weeks. By late February, afternoons feel warmer and maybe a bit more humid.
Temperature Extremes and Records
Battambang’s coldest day usually lands around January 1, with daytime highs near 87°F (31°C) and nights dipping to about 69°F (21°C).
Even then, it’s still warm by global winter standards.
The hottest stretch of the year happens in April, when highs average 96°F (36°C). Winter feels noticeably cooler and more comfortable for outdoor stuff.
Temperature extremes rarely happen in winter. You probably won’t see it fall below 63°F (17°C) or rise above 98°F (37°C).
This predictability helps travelers pack light and gives locals confidence for farming and daily routines.
Winter Precipitation in Battambang
Winter brings Battambang its driest spell of the year. Rain barely shows up, humidity falls, and skies clear out, which is a big change from the heavy monsoon months.
Rainfall Amounts and Frequency
From December through February, rain stays very scarce. January and December both average just 14 mm (0.6 in), while February edges up a bit to 17 mm (0.7 in).
Rain only shows up on 2–3 days per month in this stretch. That’s a huge difference from the wet season, when you might see 15–18 rainy days every month.
You can expect long dry spells, and even when showers arrive, they’re brief and light. It’s rare for rain to mess up your plans or travels.
Monthly Precipitation Patterns
Winter months follow a clear pattern—almost no rain. January is the driest, with barely any measurable precipitation. February stays dry but gets a tiny bit more rain than January. December looks a lot like January, with totals staying super low.
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|
| December | 14 mm | 2 |
| January | 14 mm | 2 |
| February | 17 mm | 2 |
This pattern shows the clear shift away from monsoon season. By late February, humidity starts to creep up, hinting that warmer and wetter months are on the way.
Impact of Precipitation on Daily Life
The dry winter climate makes outdoor plans more reliable. Roads stay free of flooding, and rural paths are much easier to travel than during the rainy season.
Farmers often use this time for harvesting and prepping fields, since rain won’t get in the way. For travelers, low rainfall means you can schedule day trips without worrying about sudden storms.
You’ll still feel some warmth and humidity, but without heavy rain, daily routines, markets, and tourism all run smoothly. Many consider this the easiest season to get around Battambang.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine Hours
During winter, Battambang’s skies flip between partly cloudy and clear. Sunshine holds steady, though you’ll notice some ups and downs in daily cloudiness and the number of bright daylight hours.
These changes affect how hot afternoons feel and how much natural light you get each day.
Average Cloudiness
Cloud cover in Battambang’s winter usually sits at a moderate level. On average, skies stay overcast or mostly cloudy about 50–57% of the time, so you’ll see a mix of clouds and sunshine most days.
This cloudiness takes the edge off the sun, compared to the hot season, but rarely blocks it out completely. You still get long daylight hours, with enough clear breaks for outdoor adventures.
Unlike the rainy season, when thick clouds take over, winter skies feel lighter and less threatening. It’s a much better time for sightseeing, walking tours, and river trips without the hassle of heavy storms.
Number of Sunny Days
Even with some cloud cover, winter in Battambang brings plenty of sunny days. You can expect 8 to 10 hours of sunshine per day, depending on the month.
January and February are extra bright, with many afternoons opening up to clear skies. Mornings might start off cloudy, but things usually clear up by midday, giving you great light and visibility.
Rain barely interrupts the sunshine, so winter becomes a reliable time for outdoor travel, photography, and exploring the countryside.
Seasonal Changes in Sunlight
Battambang doesn’t see huge swings in sunlight like temperate regions, but there are still some small seasonal shifts. In winter, average daily sunshine sits around 8 to 9.5 hours, a bit less than the summer months when daylight can top 10 hours.
January usually brings the lowest daily sunshine, just over 8 hours. By February, days stretch a bit longer, and afternoons feel brighter.
If you’re here for a few weeks, you’ll notice these subtle changes. Early mornings stay cooler, and evenings start a bit earlier than in the hot season.
Daylight Duration and Sun Position
In Battambang during winter, the days don’t change much in length from December to February. The sun rises and sets at predictable times, and twilight doesn’t last long, so you get a clear split between day and night.
Length of Days in Winter
Winter days in Battambang are just a bit shorter than other times of year, but the change is small since the city sits near the equator.
In December, you get about 11.4 hours of daylight. By February, days stretch to around 11.9 hours.
So, the difference from the shortest to the longest winter day is less than an hour. This makes it easy to plan your activities without worrying about sudden changes in daylight.
| Month | Average Day Length |
|---|---|
| December | 11.4 hours |
| January | 11.4–11.6 hours |
| February | 11.6–11.9 hours |
Sunrise and Sunset Times
In Battambang, sunrise during winter usually shows up between 6:20 AM and 6:40 AM. Sunset falls somewhere between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM, depending on the month.
These times barely shift as winter goes on. In December, you’ll catch the sun dipping down earlier, closer to 5:30 PM. By February, sunset creeps later, getting near 6:00 PM.
You can count on a pretty steady daily rhythm, which comes in handy if you’re planning outdoor sightseeing, visiting markets, or traveling in the evening.
Key points:
- Sunrise: ~6:20–6:40 AM
- Sunset: ~5:30–6:00 PM
- Later sunsets arrive by February
Twilight and Solar Elevation
Twilight in Battambang feels short compared to places farther north. Civil twilight sticks around for about 20 to 30 minutes, so daylight disappears fast after sunset.
During winter’s midday, the sun climbs high, often above 60° in the sky. You’ll still get strong sunlight, even when the air feels cooler.
That high sun angle means shadows shrink around noon. In the morning and evening, though, shadows stretch out long.
The quick change from twilight to night makes evenings feel brief. If you’re planning anything after dark, expect it to get fully dark not long after sunset.
Weather Variability and Notable Events
Winter in Battambang usually brings warm days and cooler nights, but the weather can still surprise you. Most winters stay dry and steady, but every now and then, you’ll see unusual rainfall or even a short storm that breaks the pattern.
Unusual Weather Occurrences
Most years, Battambang’s winter feels predictable, with daytime highs hovering between 86–94°F and barely any rain. But sometimes, you get exceptions.
Short bursts of rain in December or January can pop up, especially when regional weather systems push extra moisture inland.
Early mornings might bring unexpected fog. When cool night air mixes with leftover humidity, visibility drops for a few hours. Travelers don’t always expect this, since clear skies are the norm.
Stronger winds show up occasionally too, especially when pressure changes across Cambodia during seasonal shifts. These gusts don’t usually cause damage, but they can kick up dust in rural spots and make outdoor plans a bit tricky.
Rarely, nights get cooler than usual, dipping below 65°F. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re out late or staying overnight.
Historical Winter Weather Events
If you look back at past winters, Battambang has seen several seasons with higher-than-average rainfall. Some years, thanks to regional monsoon shifts, actually brought measurable rain in December, even though that month is usually dry.
These events don’t happen often, but they really show just how unpredictable tropical climates can be.
Historical data points to winters with long stretches of cloudy weather. Instead of the usual clear skies, clouds sometimes stuck around for more than half the season.
People noticed fewer sunshine hours, and the days felt cooler than usual.
Another thing that stands out is the occasional temperature spike. Records mention daytime highs creeping up to almost 95°F in some winters, especially in February.
It’s not exactly extreme, but those hot days can hit hard when you’re used to cooler mornings.
All of this just goes to show that while Battambang winters usually follow a pattern, the weather can still surprise you with its ups and downs.