Egypt Weather

Largely a desert, Egypt witnesses extreme variations in climate, from arid heat waves to snow. This country mainly has two seasons, a mild winter (November to April) and a hot summer (May to October). The major difference between the two seasons is variation in daytime temperature and changes in prevailing winds.

The summer season starts in the month of May and continues till October. During this season, the temperature varies to a great extent, from 7° Celsius at night to 52° Celsius during the day. The average temperature ranges around 30° Celsius in summer. The months of June, July and August are generally the hottest.

Winters in Egypt are usually mild and often overcast, with the temperatures ranging between an average minimum of 14° Celsius and maximum of 20° Celsius. From November to April, the temperature can be as low as 0° Celsius at night and as high as 18° Celsius during the day. Winter is at its extreme in the months between December and January.

Since the annual precipitation is less than 80 mm in most areas of Egypt, rainfall is negligible. The only region experiencing little rainfall during winter is the coastal areas, where precipitation reaches 200 mm. One can also expect intense sandstorms in April that are caused by the hot and dusty khamsin wind blowing from the Sahara.

The northern coast of this country has a Mediterranean climate during winter (December through March) and remains cool, windy and humid. Occasional rainfall is also common in this part of the country, primarily in Alexandria which receives most rain. Mt. Sinai can sometimes be covered with snow, during this period.

Called as the 'Land of the Sun', Egypt remains hot for most of the year. It is best to travel to Egypt during relatively cooler months, from October through May. With clear blue skies and sea, the peak season is not too hot.