Rare Hailstorm Stuns Cambodians Amid Tropical Heat

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A rare hailstorm swept across parts of Cambodia over the weekend, astonishing residents and sparking lively debate about the kingdom’s changing weather patterns.

On 26 April, social media lit up with images and videos as people marvelled at the sight of hailstones bouncing off rooftops and gathering in cupped hands. The spectacle was particularly striking in Siem Reap, where hail fell near the ancient Angkor Wat temple, surprising both locals and tourists alike.

Hailstorms are highly unusual in Cambodia’s tropical climate, but meteorologists explained that such phenomena can occasionally occur during the seasonal shift between the dry and wet periods. Fortunately, officials confirmed no major damage or injuries were reported during the storm.

Still, the event has reignited concerns about the region’s increasingly erratic weather. Experts warn that Cambodia, like much of South-East Asia, is facing a growing pattern of extreme conditions — from sudden storms to prolonged droughts.

While Saturday’s hail was light and harmless, memories of more severe incidents linger. In 2013, a hailstorm caused widespread devastation across several provinces, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and the destruction of hundreds of homes.

Cambodia is not alone in witnessing these surprises. Last year, northern Thailand endured a fierce hailstorm, and Singapore suffered property damage from hailstones the size of coins. Malaysia’s Selangor province faced similar chaos in 2022.

Meteorologists point to the same basic process behind these dramatic events: powerful updrafts in thunderstorms lift supercooled water droplets high into the atmosphere, where they freeze into layers of ice before falling to earth as hail once they grow too heavy.

The weekend's unusual weather mirrors broader regional instability. In neighbouring Thailand, authorities recently issued warnings over severe summer storms, blaming a combination of high-pressure systems and shifting wind patterns.

Though Saturday’s hailstorm in Cambodia was short-lived, it served as a striking reminder that the kingdom’s climate is not immune to the sweeping changes affecting the globe — and that more surprises may yet be in store.

-2025-04-29