Phnom Penh Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh Municipality, Cambodia. These averages rely on historical data collected over 30 years, from 1990 to 2020. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.
Phnom Penh has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 1415 mm (56 in) of rainfall per year. It does, however, have a distinct dry and rainy season during certain months. Have a look at our detailed charts below to see how precipitation varies throughout the year.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))
Phnom Penh can be quite wet during September, receiving approximately 252 mm (9.9 in) of precipitation over 19 rainy days.
In contrast February, experiences much drier conditions, with 12 mm (0.5 in) of rainfall, spread across 2 rainy days.
September, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 33°C (91°F). The city receives 129 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month February you can expect a temperature of 35°C (95°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Phnom Penh Temperature page.
Explore Phnom Penh's Historical Precipitation: 1989-2026
Browse day-by-day precipitation records for Phnom Penh spanning 38 years. Select any month and year to see actual rainfall and snowfall recorded on each day.
Annual Rainfall in Cambodia: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across Cambodia. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
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moderate
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Phnom Penh vs World: Rainfall Compared
Phnom Penh's average annual precipitation is 1415 mm (56 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
The city of Rome, Italy, has an average annual precipitation of 832 mm (33 in), spread fairly evenly throughout the year.
Osaka, Japan, experiences 1507 mm (59 in) of rainfall annually, spread across the year with wetter summers.
Adelaide, Australia, enjoys 511 mm (20 in) of annual precipitation, with dry summers and wet winters.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, receives 1955 mm (77 in) of annual rainfall, with a pronounced wet season from May to November, typical of its tropical monsoon climate.
Precipitation amounts are measured using specific gauges installed at weather stations, collecting both rain and snow and any other type of precipitation. Rainfall is measured directly in millimeters, while that from snow and ice is obtained by melting it. Automated systems often incorporate heaters to make this easier.
Information from these stations is transmitted via Wi-Fi, satellite, GPS, or telephone connections to central monitoring networks. This information is immediately updated and integrated into weather models and forecasts.
Tropical Rainforests: In tropical regions, rainfall is generally abundant year-round. Areas near the equator, like the Amazon rainforest, can receive up to 3000 mm (118 in) of rain annually.
Desert Regions: Deserts such as the Sahara and Arabian deserts typically see less than 250 mm (9.8 in) of rainfall annually. Rainfall tends to be infrequent, but when it does occur, it is often intense.
Temperate Zones: In temperate regions, precipitation tends to be more evenly distributed, though areas closer to the ocean may see more rain in the winter months, and areas further inland experience drier summers.
Polar Regions: Precipitation in polar regions, like Antarctica, is extremely low, often falling as snow. Average annual precipitation in Antarctica is less than 200 mm (7.9 in), with some areas receiving as little as 50 mm (2 in) annually.
- Mawsynram in India is noted as being the wettest place on earth, with over 11 meters (36 feet) of rain falling every year.
- In contrast, Antofagasta in Chile is among the driest places on the planet, getting less than 0.1mm (0.004 inches) per year, with some years recording virtually no rainfall.
- Nearly 1,650 thunderstorm cells are estimated over the planet at any given time.
For more detailed information about Phnom Penh's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Phnom Penh Climate page.
