Egypt Climate

Egypt's climate makes it a top tourist destination, with warm or hot days and cooler nights. There are just two seasons: summer, which lasts from May to October, and winter, which is pretty mild.

On the coast, daytime temperatures in summer can often exceed 30°C and rarely drop below 14°C in winter. In inland desert areas, temperatures can fall to 7°C at night, but can rise to a sweltering 43°C during the daytime. The winter equivalents are freezing point at night and 18°C during the day.

Moving south towards the Sudan border, temperatures increase to match those of the deserts to the east and west. Further north, Alexandria has cooler temperatures and has become a popular resort. Cold spells during the winter are a feature of the Delta and the Nile Valley, with frosts and snow possible.

Does it rain in Egypt?

Fewer than 80 millimetres of rain fall on the country each year, mainly on the coast. Alexandria is the dampest region, with around only 200 mms each year. As you go south, rainfall drops dramatically: Cairo suffers just 1cm of rain a year, although it does have high humidity in summer, and areas further south receive next to no rainfall.

One unique element of the local climate is a hot spring wind called the sirocco, which begins in low-pressure areas and sweeps over Africa's northern coast. The winds carry sand and dust and can cause huge temperature fluctuations.