Cambodia Phnom Penh Weather in April — Climate Guide
April in Phnom Penh is moderate
April is moderate for Phnom Penh.
April brings the year's peak heat + Khmer New Year (April 13-16) — Cambodia's biggest annual celebration. Days 36°C / 97°F + nights 26°C / 79°F + 70% humidity creates felt temperatures of 42°C / 108°F. Outdoor activities are brutal for first-timers. Khmer New Year (April 13-16) is a 5-day water festival similar to Thai Songkran and Lao Pi Mai — scented-water pouring, monk foot-washing, sand-stupa building at wats, and water-fight energy in the streets. Foreigners welcome to participate. The festival is iconic + a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience — BUT the heat hits 42°C felt temperature, many shops and restaurants close as locals return to home provinces, and hotel rates jump +30-40%. Book 2-3 months ahead if Khmer New Year is the goal. Late April (after the festival + monsoon onset begins) is the transition to wet-season shoulder. Honeymoon + photographer travelers should skip April entirely and visit November-February. Festival-focused travelers should commit to April 13-16 with appropriate gear.
Travel score
Khmer New Year water festival + year's hottest month
April Weather at a Glance
April averages 97°F / 36°C highs and 79°F / 26°C lows — the year's hottest. Felt temperature 108°F+ / 42°C+. Humidity 70%. 6 rainy days, 75mm rainfall as monsoon onset begins late month. UV 12 (extreme).
April Travel Advice
Khmer New Year (April 13-16): book hotels 2-3 months ahead. Waterproof phone case + waterproof wallet/passport pouch essential. Embrace getting soaked daily. Many shops + restaurants close during festival (local exodus to provinces). Late April (Apr 20-30): post-festival pricing drops 30% — best April window for non-festival travelers. Outdoor activities limited to 07:00-09:30 and 17:00-18:30.
Flying In from Overseas
Khmer New Year + Western Easter + Korean spring break converge. Flight pricing $600-1,200 from East Asia + Australia + Europe. Direct flights via Bangkok or Singapore.
April Pricing Trends
Khmer New Year week pricing: boutique $100-200/night, Raffles $500-800, Rosewood $450-700. Post-festival (Apr 20-30): drops 30-40%. Flights $600-1,200 from East Asia.
Phnom Penh April Weather Stats
Avg High
36°C
Avg Low
26°C
Rainy Days
6
75mm total
Sunshine
8.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
70%
humid
UV Index
12
Extreme
Wind
7 km/h
Gusts 18
Sea Temp
29°C
Mekong River boat cruise pleasant
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
April Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
45 μg/m³
PM10
75 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
42°C
Nighttime
26°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
7 km/h
Max gust 18 km/h
Activities Recommended for April
April Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Khmer New Year cultural experience (April 13-16)
- Late April monsoon onset = humidity refresh
- Phnom Penh emptier outside festival (local return to provinces)
Cons
- WARNING: Year's hottest month at 42°C felt temperature
- Khmer New Year + heat drives hotel + flight +30-40%
- Many shops + restaurants close during festival
April Events & Festivals
- WARNING: Year's hottest month — 36-40°C peak with 70% humidity
- Khmer New Year / Choul Chnam (April 13-16) — Cambodia's biggest annual festival
- Western Easter holiday week
- Monsoon onset begins late month
Phnom Penh in April — Full Picture
April brings the year's peak heat + Khmer New Year (April 13-16) — Cambodia's biggest annual celebration. Days 36°C / 97°F + nights 26°C / 79°F + 70% humidity creates felt temperatures of 42°C / 108°F. Outdoor activities are brutal for first-timers. Khmer New Year (April 13-16) is a 5-day water festival similar to Thai Songkran and Lao Pi Mai — scented-water pouring, monk foot-washing, sand-stupa building at wats, and water-fight energy in the streets. Foreigners welcome to participate. The festival is iconic + a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience — BUT the heat hits 42°C felt temperature, many shops and restaurants close as locals return to home provinces, and hotel rates jump +30-40%. Book 2-3 months ahead if Khmer New Year is the goal. Late April (after the festival + monsoon onset begins) is the transition to wet-season shoulder. Honeymoon + photographer travelers should skip April entirely and visit November-February. Festival-focused travelers should commit to April 13-16 with appropriate gear.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Year's hottest month + Khmer New Year (Choul Chnam, April 13-16). Days 36°C / 97°F + nights 26°C / 79°F + 70% humidity = felt temperature 42°C / 108°F. Light quick-dry clothes + waterproof phone case + waterproof passport pouch (Khmer New Year water-festival energy). Quick-dry clothes + light rain shell + UV 12 sunscreen.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current35°C
25°C
7.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
32.3°C
25°C
17.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
31°C
23.7°C
15/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
31.3°C
22°C
1.7/mo
Phnom Penh Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (Best) | 31° | 22° | 1d·10mm | 9h | 65% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| February (Best) | 33° | 23° | 1d·10mm | 9.5h | 60% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
| 35° | 24° | 3d·35mm | 9h | 65% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 36° | 26° | 6d·75mm | 8.5h | 70% | 12 | Busy | Peak | |
| 34° | 25° | 13d·145mm | 7.5h | 75% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 33° | 25° | 16d·200mm | 6.5h | 80% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 32° | 25° | 18d·220mm | 6h | 82% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 25° | 19d·220mm | 6h | 82% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 25° | 19d·250mm | 6h | 82% | 9 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 31° | 24° | 17d·240mm | 7h | 80% | 9 | Moderate | Low season | |
| November (Best) | 30° | 22° | 9d·100mm | 8h | 70% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| December (Best) | 30° | 21° | 3d·25mm | 9h | 65% | 9 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Phnom Penh April Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is April a good time to visit Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh in April is moderate. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Phnom Penh in April?
Phnom Penh April averages a high of 36°C and a low of 26°C.
Does it rain much in Phnom Penh in April?
Phnom Penh April averages 75mm of rainfall over about 6 rainy days.
What should I wear in Phnom Penh in April?
Year's hottest month + Khmer New Year (Choul Chnam, April 13-16). Days 36°C / 97°F + nights 26°C / 79°F + 70% humidity = felt temperature 42°C / 108°F. Light quick-dry clothes + waterproof phone case + waterproof passport pouch (Khmer New Year water-festival energy). Quick-dry clothes + light rain shell + UV 12 sunscreen.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Phnom Penh in April?
Phnom Penh April sunrise is 05:50 and sunset is 18:10, with 12h 20min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Phnom Penh in April?
Phnom Penh April air quality (AQI) averages 90, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 45μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Phnom Penh in April?
In April, Phnom Penh is great for Khmer New Year water festival (Apr 13-16), Hotel pool + spa days, Royal Palace early morning (08:00-09:30).
Is April peak season in Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh April crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Phnom Penh
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.