All About Egypt’s Climate Before Your Trip

It is always sensible to learn in advance about the climate of the location you are visiting to prepare yourself for your trip. In such a complex, fascinating country, it is even more essential to learn about the climate of Egypt, their culture, their food, Egyptian tourist visas and other similar topics to ensure you have an enjoyable stay.

In this article we guide you through the various climate zones, even though Egypt is pretty hot most of the time. Coastal resorts will be cooler with a sea breeze, even though the breeze is warm.

There has been some freak weather from time to time but, overall, the climate stays at a hot and dry level. It may be helpful to find out more by purchasing a good guidebook that fully encompasses all the aspects of Egypt.

What Is the Climate in Egypt?

‘Hot, dry and arid’ springs to mind for most people, accompanied by vast areas of desert land.

The climate in the country along the Mediterranean coast (particularly in the north) has less heat, but greater humidity during the summer. That said, as you head inland or further south, the heat increases dramatically.

Records are unreliable – some state that the hottest ever temperature was 47°C, while others say it has been as high as 55°C. The main thing to remember is that the heat is always there, with few clouds in the sky and only millimetres of rainfall!

At night, there is some respite and temperatures can drop to around 20°C in the summer months. The winter is far better in terms of daytime and nighttime temperatures, with an average of around 23°C (daytime) and as low as 5°C (nighttime).

The further inland you travel, the more likely you are to experience the hotter climate in Egypt, whatever time of the year. December, January and February are definitely the cooler months.

What Are Egypt’s Climate Zones?

The climate zones consist of 3 main areas:

• The North coast or Mediterranean coast is popular due to its more clement temperatures and sea breezes. The milder weather makes it a popular sightseeing destination, with historic destinations including Alexandria, as travelling around is much more comfortable. You are more likely to experience rainfall here than any other part of Egypt.
• The Interior – predominantly desert land, with little or no rainfall most of the time. Clear skies mean very high temperatures during the day, but cooler at night. This is a good area to enjoy a couple of nights under the Egyptian night sky! The further south you head, the hotter it gets. In the summer months, you can expect up to 12 hours of solid sunshine.
• Red Sea coast – a true holiday location for those wanting to enjoy sun, sea and water sports. Whilst there is a breeze here, it is a warm-to-hot one originating from the desert lands.

The only really different area in Egypt’s climate zones is the mountainous region of Sinai. Here, the altitude keeps the temperatures much cooler and it may even be frosty at night – you will need a few sweaters to stay warm!

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Egypt?

It can depend on which part of Egypt you are visiting. If you are an avid sightseer, the cooler winter months are recommended. The larger cities can be hot and dusty in the summer, while the frequent traffic increases the internal temperatures too.

Beachgoers and water sport enthusiasts can visit the Red Sea areas at any time of the year, but July and August are not for the faint-hearted. Pack plenty of high factor sun cream! If you love swimming in the sea, the water temperature can be a little too cool in the winter months.

If you want to see Cairo, the Pyramids and Luxor, the best times to visit are autumn, winter and spring for moderate conditions, but avoid December and January due to the high numbers of tourists (including packed buses, coaches and other modes of transport).

For peace and tranquillity as well as clement temperatures, it is prudent to visit the interior parts of the country, namely the desert lands, to enjoy and experience the region. Late summer through to the spring is the best time to travel there. Enjoy camping with the Bedouins under starry skies, take a camel ride or a dune buggy experience, but take plenty of warm clothes for the cold nights!

Can I Trust the Weather in Egypt Year-Round?

The weather in Egypt is fairly static – it doesn’t really vary from zone to zone from what has already been described. The occurrence of freak weather is very unusual. The main climatic difference over years to come will be due to rising sea levels, eroding the surrounding coasts.

Where Is the Driest Place in Egypt?

Undoubtedly the desert region, particularly as you go further south. Precipitation is almost non-existent, there is low humidity and even the frosty nights do not counteract the dryness of this area. Overall, the driest months occur from February to September.

Are There Monsoons in Egypt?

No, and never likely to be! Monsoons in Egypt are no more than a rapid downpour, lasting a few minutes as opposed to days or weeks on end! Most rain occurs during the night, which helps the temperatures to cool down. There may be a small smattering of rain in the day, which is often welcome.

Does It Snow in Egypt?

Another unlikely occurrence, although it has been recorded there. It can snow in the highlands, but the heaviest snowfall recorded in the capital, Cairo, was in 2013 – it left the Egyptians amazed! Putting it this way, you would not expect to go skiing in Egypt!

Wind Speed and Wind Direction in Egypt

You can experience some of the best sailing and windsurfing in Egypt in the Red Sea area, due to a gentle but effective wind speed of between 6-8m/s. Resorts such as Hurghada and Ras Sudr are highly recommended for perfect wind speed in Egypt for these water sports.

Major Egyptian Cities’ Weather Conditions

Let us look at some of the major cities’ weather conditions. Be aware again, that these are average temperatures and can increase significantly during the summer.

What Is Cairo’s Weather Like?

Cairo’s summers are extremely hot with temperatures often rising above 35°C. It is highly unlikely to rain during the summer months and days are long, humid and clear. Winters are considerably cooler. However, rainfall is still scarce during the cooler months.

What Are Cairo’s Temperatures Like?

Temperatures in Cairo depend on the season, as you would expect. The desert is extremely hot with temperatures above 35°C. Winters are mild with temperatures within the early-to-mid 20s.

What Is the Humidity Level in Cairo?

Humidity in Cairo again depends on the season and month. Humidity is remarkably high during the summer months with August being the most humid on average. The least humid month is May when the air is comfortably dry and mild-to-moderate in heat.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Cairo?

The best months to visit Cairo are between October and April. The air is comfortable and the heat is not stifling as it is in the peak summer months. This makes for relaxing exploring conditions.

What Is Alexandria’s Weather Like?

Alexandria is like Cairo in terms of its weather conditions. The summer months are warm and somewhat muggy, while winters are cool and dry.

What Are Alexandria’s Temperatures Like?

Temperatures often vary between a low of 10°C up to a maximum of 31°C.

What Is the Weather Like in Luxor?

Luxor’s weather is generally best in the summer months with June’s average temperature reaching almost 41°C. The cooler months see temperatures in the early-to-mid 20s with dry, clear and milder days in January.

What Is Egypt’s North Coast Weather Like?

The north coast sees hot, humid summer months and considerably cooler winter months. Summers reach up to 27°C, although winters are milder in the early 20s with clear skies.

What Hemisphere Is Egypt In?

Some people get confused – with such heat, they think it is in the Southern Hemisphere! In fact, though, this country is part of the Northern Hemisphere, along with some of the North African countries. As it is 3,000km north of the Equator, it is in the Northern Hemisphere.

Fun Egypt Climate Facts

Here are some fun facts about the climate:

• Umbrella sales in Alexandria are 500% higher than in Cairo.
• Snow fell in 2013, the first time in 116 years!
• The temperature inside the Pyramids never varies – it stays at a constant 20°C. This is the constant temperature of the earth!
• Egyptians keep cool by soaking their sheets, towels and blankets in cold water, and then wrapping them around themselves. A good tip.
• The Egyptians invented the first air-conditioning (but not as we know it!). They hung wet reeds out of their windows and when the air came in, it was cooled by the water.

We hope this article prepares you for the climate and weather of Egypt on your trip! To find out what vaccinations you need to visit this country, check our guide here.