Egypt Weather and Climate

Egypt weather is generally hot and dry, with hardly any rain or clouds. November through to January are definitely the most comfortable months for Egypt travel. Days are commonly warm or hot, and nights are cool.

Egypt has only two seasons: a mild winter from November to April and a hot summer from May to October. The only differences between the seasons are variations in daytime temperatures and changes in prevailing winds.

In Cairo, temperatures can rise as high as 95°F in summer and drop to as low as 45°F in winter. Farther south, the country becomes hotter.

Alexandria, in the north, enjoys much milder weather than the rest of the country. Here, the highest temperature throughout the year will not usually be more than the mid 80s, and the cool breezes of the Mediterranean make even the hottest days pleasant.

Winters in Aswan are pleasantly warm, but summer temperatures can reach 107°F.

Tip from INFOHUB: Egypt's traditional season runs from late November to late February , when the Nile Valley is balmy, although Cairo can be overcast and chilly. However, at these times, particularly during the peak months of December and January, the major Nile resorts of Luxor and Aswan get unpleasantly crowded. This winter season is also the busiest period for the Sinai resorts, while Hurghada is active year round. From May to September the south and desert are ferociously hot and sightseeing is best limited to early morning or evening - though August still sees droves of backpackers From October into early November is perhaps the best time of all, with easily manageable climate and crowds.

An Egypt weather phenomenon called the khamsin brings very high temperatures out of the Sahara Desert to the coast between March and June. The dust winds form in small but vigorous low-pressure areas in the Isthmus of Suez and sweep across the northern coast of Africa. Unobstructed by geographical features, the winds reach high velocities and carry great quantities of sand and dust from the deserts. These sandstorms, often accompanied by winds of up to 140 kilometers per hour, can cause temperatures to rise as much as 68° F in two hours. The winds blow intermittently and may continue for days, cause illness in people and animals, harm crops, and occasionally damage houses and infrastructure.

Tip from INFOHUB: Both decent lip balms and sunscreens are hard to find in most areas of the world, so bring enough to last you for the whole journey. Take into account that sunscreens work by penetrating the skin to create a barrier, while insect repellents work by evaporation, so you should apply the sunscreen first. Do not use old sunscreens, because sunscreens more than 2-3 years old have lost their effectiveness.

The best way to deal with Egypt weather conditions is to dress with lightweight cotton or linen garments during summers. Wool fabrics are ideal for winter and cool evenings. Do bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a sturdy hat. Drink plenty of water, too.

How was the weather in Ancient Egypt?