According to a weather forecast by the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology on December 16, the provinces close to Dangrek Mountain range and the northeastern plateau of Cambodia will see a temperature drop to 17 degree Celsius or lower from December 20-22.

The forecast followed observation of high pressure from China which is moving downward. Besides, Northeastern Monsoon winds are gathering speed blowing towards Cambodia.

The ministry said these two factors would cause the temperature in Cambodia to drop to 17C or lower, especially in the Dangrek Mountain range and northeastern areas.

During this time, some provinces in the southern central plains and the coastal areas will see medium-to-heavy rain.

“When the weather is cold, citizens and troops who are living and stationing in the Dangrek Mountain range and northeastern plateau, please pay more attention to take good care of your health,” the ministry said.

Ratanakkiri provincial water resources department director Chan Bunthoeun told The Post that the temperature in northeastern provinces had dropped to 17C for only two days.

On the morning of December 15, the temperature in the provinces had risen to 22C.

“The 17C temperature for residents in Ratanakkiri province is normal. It is not cold or freezing because in December last year, the temperature in our province dropped to 13C,” he said.

Preah Vihear provincial water resources department director Chab Koy said the same is true of the province.

“I think that probably there is no cold season for this year, because the 17-18C temperatures don’t make our residents in the province close to the Dangrek Mountain range feel cold,” he said, adding the province had a temperature of 23C with no rainfall.