AE86 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 15, 2022 4:32 am ^^^Most of whom I talked to were in their 50's or 60's and were recalling childhood or early adolescent memories, although some people I remember mentioning were saying as early at 10-15 years ago it was also that way in the provinces such as Mondulkiri or Ratanakiri.

In twelve years in Ratanakiri I've never experience that. The closest we ever got was fog in the early morning in the lower valleys, but it's a rare event in December / January only.

^^I lived in Ratanakiri before and have seen my breath on "very cold" humid mornings before. Usually wouldn't dip below 16-18 through in the "winter".

My cousin's family is from there (Ou Yeak Lom) and I'm also gathering what I've been told from them and their family. They live very close to the crater for what it's worth, if that has anything to do with it.

AE86 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 15, 2022 8:31 am ^^I lived in Ratanakiri before and have seen my breath on "very cold" humid mornings before. Usually wouldn't dip below 16-18 through in the "winter".

My cousin's family is from there (Ou Yeak Lom) and I'm also gathering what I've been told from them and their family. They live very close to the crater for what it's worth, if that has anything to do with it.

Fog over the crater lake on very cool winter mornings is more common. Maybe the air in that area is relatively moist on 'cold quiet winter mornings'. The direct area around the lake is a little bit cooler due to water evaporating from the lake's surface. But it's a relatively small area, the lake's diameter is only about 800 meters. Microclimate maybe? Maybe similar conditions in Phnom Penh in the past in the direct vicinity of the lakes?

16-18 Celsius is indeed as gold as it gets in winter, but those are the coldest nights. Can feel colder than hat though because even in the winter the temperature during the days will go up to high twenties or even low thirties so the difference is quite large.

Mondulkiri can get a little bit colder than Ratanakiri. It's on a higher plain. It's the only region in Cambodia where you'll find conifer-like trees (and can grow strawberries) AFAIK.

John Bingham wrote: ↑Tue Feb 15, 2022 9:03 am

Kammekor wrote: ↑Tue Feb 15, 2022 8:47 am It's the only region in Cambodia where you'll find conifer-like trees (and can grow strawberries) AFAIK.

There are loads of Pinus merkusii conifers around Kirirom.

Yes, that makes a lot of sense since it's over 600M if I recall well....