Climate Egypt
Egypt is a vast country, so its climate varies considerably from place to place and from season to season. Compared with our temperate regions, the Egyptian climate is much more unstable. With the exception of the Mediterranean coast in winter, the country enjoys a pleasantly dry climate, and rain is rare or almost unknown in Upper Egypt, for example. Storms, frequent in Alexandria in winter, are rare along the Nile valley. However, rains can paralyze the country, which is not equipped for this eventuality. Summer is hot all over the country! If you're frightened by the intense heat, avoid visiting between June and September, when temperatures can reach staggering levels. The most pleasant time to go to Egypt, whatever the destination and especially if you have the possibilitý, is from late September to May.
The four seasons
The country can be divided into four zones with markedly different climates. The north coast enjoys the classic Mediterranean climate. Summers here are hot and humid, and storms and rain punctuate the winters. The desert climate prevails, of course, over the vast expanses to the east and west of the Nile Valley and the oases that dot the deserts. The Nile Valley also benefits from a desert climate, but the presence of the river and its water-logged banks increases the humidity and coolness of the climate. The shores of the Red Sea are also desert, but the winds are often strong and severe storms sometimes strike, particularly in the Sinai mountains. The use of thick mud bricks enabled the inhabitants to protect themselves from both the intense summer heat and the particularly cold winter nights. However, since the 20th century, these building techniques have been replaced by baked bricks and cement, and new buildings quickly turn into ovens in summer, and can be very cold in winter!
Autumn in Egypt is pleasant, with temperatures between 25 and 35°C throughout the country, virtually uninterrupted sunshine and little rainfall. Although the days can be hot in the south of the country, the nights are very pleasant! After the long, hot summer, it's also a real return to life for the whole country!
Winter (mid-December to the end of February) is pleasant in Upper Egypt, where the sun never leaves and daytime temperatures are between 25°C and 30°C. However, beware of the nights, which can be chilly. Alexandria and the Mediterranean coast are drenched by regular storms that bring cool temperatures. However, rainfall is lower than on the Côte d'Azur in France. Nights in the desert can be freezing. In Cairo, it's a good idea to bring warm clothes, especially as heating systems are practically non-existent.
Spring is a rather unstable season, which doesn't last long. While temperatures can be pleasant, you're often surprised by heat spikes or torrential rain in Alexandria. It's also the season of the khamsin, a sandy wind that sweeps across the country two or three times a season. Its name means "fifty", as it is supposed to blow intermittently for 50 days. It was symbolized by Set in ancient times and was often a calamity for foreign armies, whether the French in 1798 or the Germans and Allies during the Second World War. It is often characterized by orange skies and a heavy, dust-laden atmosphere, but can sometimes turn into a full-blown sandstorm, preventing outdoor activities for several hours.
Summer in Egypt is scorching. Scorching temperatures are the norm and require precautions when visiting: start early in the morning and take a break in the middle of the day to avoid the hottest hours. In Upper Egypt, temperatures are often unbearable, reaching 50°C. So be careful when visiting the temples! The North and Alexandria are less hot, but very humid. Many Egyptians try to spend as much time as possible by the sea, on the north coast or in Sinai.
Precipitation
Although rain is still rare, in recent years it has become increasingly regular, especially in winter and early spring. Almost unknown in ancient times, the Egyptians even interpreted rain as a bad omen. In Cairo, rain is even rarer. It is rare in Upper Egypt (1 mm per year), but can have disastrous consequences. Episodes of heavy rain have caused flash floods in the surrounding mountains. Some of these have damaged tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and local residents testify to ravaged cemeteries and bodies unearthed by particularly heavy rains in the 1980s. If you're unlucky enough to get a lot of rain, you'd better be careful, as Egyptians are hardly equipped to deal with the mischief caused by rain. Cairo in particular can sometimes be completely paralyzed by intense but very short rains. In such cases, Cairo's inhabitants use their ingenuity to get to work or to the shops.
Hygrometry
Egypt enjoys a desert climate over most of its territory, characterized by a dry climate. However, humidity levels vary greatly from region to region. The Mediterranean coast is particularly humid in winter, but especially so in summer. Humidity in Cairo can sometimes be stifling, especially in summer when combined with heat and pollution. In Upper Egypt and the desert, the climate is always dry.
Water temperature
From January to April, the sea temperature is around 20°C. From May onwards, the temperature rises, reaching 26°C between July and September, and even into October.
The Mediterranean Sea is subject to greater temperature variations than the Red Sea. As the Red Sea is one of the warmest seas in the world, it is quite rare for the water to be too cold for swimming. The average winter temperature does not fall below 22°C.
