It's that time of year again. The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology has warned Cambodians to unpack their parkas as a “cold” snap bears down on the Kingdom, with temperatures as low as 16 degrees Celsius predicted beginning on Friday.

Ministry spokesman Mao Hak said a high pressure system in Siberia will create a northeast monsoon, leading to the comparatively cool temperatures in Cambodia. From December 8 through 14, temperatures will decrease to anywhere between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius in the provinces of Mondulkiri, Ratanakkiri, Stung Treng, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear and Pailin.

In Phnom Penh and in other provinces, the temperatures could drop to anywhere between 19 and 21 degrees Celsius, he added.

Hak appealed to the public to look after the elderly and children, especially in the six provinces that will see the coldest temperatures.

“When temperatures become cold, children and elders can easily catch a cold and respiratory system infections,” he said. “Children and elders should not stay outside the house for too long, and they should dress [with appropriate] clothes.”

If people make fires to warm themselves, they should be careful that the fire doesn’t spread, he said.

Sun Sareoun, commander of Border Unit 905, stationed in the Dangrek Mountains along the Cambodia-Thailand Border, said Prime Minister Hun Sen, via the Ministry of Defence, had provided officials with coats and other items in anticipation of the cold front.

“Our forces already received the coats and other stuff, which [can help them] endure the cold weather, so we don’t worry about the cold,” he said.