Weather in Egypt
The Egyptian summer is hot and dry in most of the country, and humid
in the Delta and along the Mediterranean Coast. In recent years the
humidity has spread to Cairo, and the city swelters in August! Winter
is mild with some rain, but usually it is bright, sunny days with cold
nights.
During the summertime, sun protection is the most important single
consideration for an Egypt trip, especially for the fair-skinned.
Wearing a sunhat is essential. Cheap, and pure cotton, sunhats are
made locally and available everywhere. Travel clothing should be light
and comfortable, 100% cotton clothing is the best and robust shoes are
a must! The climate of Egypt is characterized by a hot season from May
to October and a cool season from October to May. Extreme temperatures
during both seasons are moderated by the prevailing northern winds.
-In the coastal region average annual temperatures range from a
maximum of 37° C (99° F) to a minimum of 14° C (57° F). Wide
variations of temperature occur in the deserts, ranging from a maximum
of 46° C (114° F), during daylight hours, to a minimum of 6° C (42° F)
after sunset. During the winter season desert temperatures often drop
to 0° C (32° F).
The most humid area is along the Mediterranean coast, where the
average annual rainfall is about 200mm. Precipitation decreases
rapidly to the south; Cairo receives on average only about 29mm of
rain each year, and in many desert locations it may rain only once in
several years!
There are 5 days called Khamsin between March and April, when
sandstorms can occur sporadically, blowing in different places
according to the wind direction.
Winter (between October and May) weather is colder than most people
anticipate, and cold winds blow over the desert at sunrise and sunset.
Even when it is warm outside, it can be surprisingly cold inside the
massive stone Temples. In winter, showers can fall everywhere, so
bring a few items of light but warm clothing, so that you can cope
with the cold early mornings and the occasional, and unseasonable,
cold snap.
Bring one or two dressy outfits along for evenings out, especially for
parties, and special occasions or just to get out of your tour
clothes! If you are staying in a hotel or on a cruise boat, please be
warned that luxury hotels and all the Nile Cruises have efficient, but
surprisingly pricey laundry services. If you object to paying 12LE for
laundry, you can wash out your T-shirts; just bring some detergent
with you, as well as a few yards of clothing line.
Also bring a swimsuit, as most good hotels and cruise ships have nice,
warm, swimming pools.
If you are heading out into the desert, you will get dry quickly, so
make sure that you have a good stock of water with you. Egyptian
mineral water is available everywhere at less than 3LE per bottle.
Remember to cover your head at all time
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Weather tips
Bring one or two
dressy outfits along for evenings out, especially for parties, and
special occasions or just to get out of your tour clothes! If you
are staying in a hotel or on a cruise boat, please be warned that
luxury hotels and all the Nile Cruises have efficient, but
surprisingly pricey laundry services. If you object to paying 12LE
for laundry, you can wash out your T-shirts; just bring some
detergent with you, as well as a few yards of clothing line.
Also bring a
swimsuit, as most good hotels and cruise ships have nice,
warm, swimming pools.
If you
are heading out into the desert, you will get dry quickly, so make
sure that you have a good stock of water with you.
Egyptian mineral water is available everywhere at less than 3LE
per bottle. Remember to cover your head at all time.
Weather Chart
The following table for you as a
guide so that you know what to expect and what to bring:
|
|
Month |
|
Cairo
Min/Max |
Alexandria
Min/Max |
Luxor
Min/Max |
Aswan
Min/Max |
Hurgha
Air/Water
Average |
Sharm El-Sheik
Air/Water
Average |
Jan |
C
F |
8.6/19.1
47/66 |
9.3/18.3
49/65 |
5.4/23
42/74 |
8/23.8
46/75 |
24/18
75/64 |
24/21
75/70 |
Feb |
C
F |
9.3/21
48/69 |
9.7/19.2
49/67 |
6.8/25.4
44/78 |
9.4/26.1
49/79 |
25/18
77/64 |
25/20
77/68 |
March |
C
F |
11.2/23.7
52/75 |
11.3/21
52/70 |
10.7/29
51/84 |
12.6/30.4
54/86 |
26/20
79/68 |
25/21
77/70 |
April |
C
F |
13.9/28.2
56/83 |
14.5/23.6
58/75 |
15.7/35
60/95 |
17.5/36
63/97 |
31/25
88/77 |
31/22
87/71 |
May |
C
F |
17.4/32.4
63/90 |
16.7/26.5
62/80 |
20.7/39.3
69/103 |
21.1/38.5
71/101 |
35/26
95/79 |
28/24
82/75 |
June |
C
F |
19.9/34.5
68/95 |
20.4/28.2
69/83 |
22.6/41
72/107 |
24.2/42.1
76/108 |
37/28
99/82 |
32/25
89/77 |
July |
C
F |
21.5/35.4
71/96 |
22.7/29.6
73/86 |
23.6/40.8
74/106 |
24.5/42
76/108 |
40/28
107/82 |
37/26
98/78 |
Aug |
C
F |
21.6/34.8
71/95 |
22.9/30.4
73/87 |
23.5/41
74/107 |
24.7/41.3
76/107 |
42/29
108/84 |
38/28
100/82 |
Sept |
C
F |
19.9/23.3
68/89 |
21.3/29.4
71/85 |
21.5/38.5
71/101 |
22.2/39.6
72/103 |
38/27
100/81 |
34/29
93/84 |
Oct |
C
F |
17.8/29.8
64/86 |
17.9/27.7
64/82 |
17.8/35.1
64/95 |
19.3/36.6
66/99 |
32/25
90/77 |
30/27
86/80 |
Nov |
C
F |
12.1/24.1
54/75 |
14.8/24.4
59/76 |
12.3/29.6
54/85 |
14.5/30.2
58/86 |
26/23
79/73 |
27/25
80/75 |
Dec |
C
F |
10.4/20.7
51/69 |
11.2/20.4
52/69 |
7.7/24.8
45/76 |
9.9/20.5
50/69 |
26/19
79/66 |
23/23
73/73 |
|