Weather in Egypt
Expats living in Egypt should plan to leave the long-johns and winter jackets at home. The country is situated nearly entirely in the Sahara Desert, and it follows that weather in Egypt mirrors the semi-arid character of this rugged, sandy geographical phenomenon.
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With the exception of the narrow strip of coastline that borders the Mediterranean, Egypt is hot and dry, with little variation throughout the year. Although the nation claims two separate seasons, a mild winter (November to April) and a hot summer (May to October), the only differences in the two periods seems to be prevailing winds and different daytime temperatures.
The blistering heat of summer is slightly more tolerable in the 50-mile wide coastal region; the average maximum temperature in this area is 30°C (86°F), but expats living in central Egypt will otherwise have to find a way to keep cool until winter, when the temperatures fall back down to 20 to 26°C (68°F to 79°F).
Expats should note that nights can still cool down considerably despite the intensity of the day.
One unique component of weather in Egypt is the khamsin. This hot spring wind starts to sweep across northern Africa in April and peaks over a period of March to May. Sand and dust are picked up by the high velocity of the wind speed and deposited to irritate eyes and obscure visibility. These winds are largely responsible for the drastic increase in temperature seen in cities like Alexandria and Cairo. A rise of 20°C (68°F) in two hours can make conditions especially dangerous.
Precipitation in Egypt is somewhat of a rarity. Only traces of rainfall can be found in Cairo and the especially dry regions may go years without wetness. The Mediterranean coastal region does receive a "roaring" 4 to 8 inches per year, but this is hardly enough to support crops.
The weather in Egypt can be hard to adjust to and expats should take measures to stay hydrated.
With the exception of the narrow strip of coastline that borders the Mediterranean, Egypt is hot and dry, with little variation throughout the year. Although the nation claims two separate seasons, a mild winter (November to April) and a hot summer (May to October), the only differences in the two periods seems to be prevailing winds and different daytime temperatures.The blistering heat of summer is slightly more tolerable in the 50-mile wide coastal region; the average maximum temperature in this area is 30°C (86°F), but expats living in central Egypt will otherwise have to find a way to keep cool until winter, when the temperatures fall back down to 20 to 26°C (68°F to 79°F).
Expats should note that nights can still cool down considerably despite the intensity of the day.
One unique component of weather in Egypt is the khamsin. This hot spring wind starts to sweep across northern Africa in April and peaks over a period of March to May. Sand and dust are picked up by the high velocity of the wind speed and deposited to irritate eyes and obscure visibility. These winds are largely responsible for the drastic increase in temperature seen in cities like Alexandria and Cairo. A rise of 20°C (68°F) in two hours can make conditions especially dangerous.
Precipitation in Egypt is somewhat of a rarity. Only traces of rainfall can be found in Cairo and the especially dry regions may go years without wetness. The Mediterranean coastal region does receive a "roaring" 4 to 8 inches per year, but this is hardly enough to support crops.
The weather in Egypt can be hard to adjust to and expats should take measures to stay hydrated.
