Cambodia: Local weather and Climate
Cambodia is positioned in Southeast Asia within the tropical zone, simply 10-13 levels north off the equator. Like most of Southeast Asia, Cambodia is heat to sizzling 12 months spherical and the local weather is dominated by the annual monsoon cycle with its alternating moist and dry seasons. The monsoon cycle is pushed by cyclic air strain adjustments over central Asia. Because the strain drops throughout the summer season months (June by means of October), moist air is drawn landward from the ocean bringing the southwest monsoon rains to Cambodia and far of Southeast Asia. Come the winter months (November by means of Might), the air strain over central Asia rises, driving cool dry air again throughout Southeast Asia and bringing on a largely rainless dry season to Cambodia. The imply each day temperature additionally rises and falls with the winter and summer season months, however not precisely in time with the moist and dry season, successfully creating 4 annual seasons in Cambodia.
1) November-February: Cool and dry. Common mid-day temperatures within the mid 20s, someday dipping beneath 20 at night time. The monsoon rains path off by means of October and November, and have normally stopped utterly by mid November. These months – November by means of February – are usually thought of to be the very best time of 12 months to go to, with December and January providing the perfect climate of the 12 months throughout the nation – comfortably heat days, clear skies, no rain, gentle breeze, cool evenings. Preferrred seaside climate in Sihanoukville. A cushty time of 12 months to go to the temples close to Siem Reap. Temperatures start to creep up a bit by means of February and there are occasional, brief ‘mango showers’ within the afternoon.
2) March-Might: Scorching and dry. The dry season continues, the one precipitation being brief ‘mango showers’ within the afternoons that slowly improve in frequency and depth by means of these months. Throughout these months river and lake ranges are very low, usually making boat/river ferry journey far more tough, much less dependable and may vastly improve travels occasions dramatically. However, highway journey (bus, taxi, motorbike) is far simpler and extra dependable for lack of wet season flooding. The temperature slowly rises by means of February and March, peaking out in April and Might earlier than the monsoons start. February and March are nonetheless snug however by April mid-day temperatures can hover within the mid to higher 30s, particularly in inland areas like Siem Reap. It’s much less breezy right now of 12 months, the solar will be fairly intense and the air turns into hazier with the rising humidity. Although generally fairly sizzling, the dearth of rain nonetheless leaves this a great time of 12 months to go to the temples or the seaside.
3) June-August: Scorching and moist. The new season continues however is pretty shortly moderated because the monsoon rains start in Might and June, cooling, if solely a bit, the recent, humid air. Throughout many of the nation, the monsoon rains are pretty predictable, normally occurring within the afternoon or at night time. And the afternoon rains normally final not more than a few hours making them pretty straightforward to plan round, particularly in case you are visiting the temples or touring. The truth is, the Angkor temples are at their aesthetic finest throughout the moist season. The encompassing moats and reflecting swimming pools are full, the jungle is lush and moisture deliver outs the colours of the moss and lichen coated stones of the temples. Boat journey turns into simpler and extra dependable because the season progresses and the river and lake ranges rise, however some roads generally deteriorate or grow to be briefly flooded. The sample of monsoon rains tends too be completely different alongside the coast and the seaside cities, the place the rains are extra frequent and, when the season is at its peak, might final for days at a time, although, not like the remainder of the nation, the rain on the coast might cease for days at a time as effectively.
4) September-Early November: Cool and moist. The air would not actually start to chill a lot till October or November, however nonetheless, its cooler than the most popular months. In September the temperatures hover within the mid 30s and slowly drop by means of the next months. By October, the mid day temperatures are round 30. In September the wet season is simply passing its peak. The rains are nonetheless very common and intense in September, however by October the frequency is normally dropping off significantly. By the top of October the rains are near stopping utterly, in the event that they have not already. Because the rains finish by means of October, the very best time of 12 months to go to Cambodia begins.
The Wet Season
Many vacationers understandably attempt to keep away from visiting Southeast Asia throughout the ‘monsoon season, assuming that the rains will spoil the go to. There are apparent disadvantages to visiting throughout the wet season, however personally its my favourite time of 12 months in Cambodia.
Throughout the wet season the temples of Angkor are at their most lovely and most photogenic. The reflecting swimming pools and moats are full, the vegetation is deep inexperienced and the moist stone of the temples is at its most colourful. Additionally of photographic observe, the rain-washed air of the moist season is especially clear as in comparison with the hazy, smoky skies of the dry season, making these lengthy pictures of the temples and rice paddies that a lot clearer. (For those who all the time needed that shot of from the highest of Phnom Bakheng of the distant Angkor Wat within the jungle illuminated the sunshine of sundown, that is the very best time of 12 months to deliver your 400mm lens and provides it a strive.) Exterior the cities, the rice paddies are filled with water and inexperienced with new rice, the jungle is lush and the countryside is picturesque and alive with rising season exercise. The river and lake ranges are excessive making boat journey straightforward. (It is the very best time of 12 months to take the boat from Siem Reap to Battambang, seemingly some of the picturesque boat journeys in Cambodia.)
It have to be mentioned that there are fewer vacationers within the nation. The temples are much less crowded, costs are decrease and the bars and eating places are all completely satisfied to see you. And, virtually talking, it doesn’t rain all the time and even day-after-day throughout the wet season. When it does rain it normally begins round 2:00PM or 3:00PM and lasts a few hours, making it straightforward to plan round typically. Towards the start and the top of the season the rains happen with far much less frequency.
