Egypt

Climate in Egypt

With the small exception of its strip of Mediterranean coastline, the whole of Egypt has an arid desert climate. The weather is constantly hot and dry and there are only two seasons. Summer brings blistering heat between May and October. Winter is mild and warm, and stretches from November to April. As is typical of desert climates, it tends to get cold at night in Egypt, whatever the season, so visitors should be sure to bring something warmer for the evenings. Egypt has a low annual rainfall and the majority of rain falls in the coastal region. It hardly ever rains during the summer months. A phenomenon of Egypt's climate is the hot wind that blows across the country, known internationally as the sirocco and to Egyptians as the khamsin. These desert sandstorms usually arrive in April but occasionally occur in March and May. They can continue for days and cause temperatures to rise dramatically, as well as cause damage to crops and buildings.

The best time to travel to Egypt is during the mid-winter, between December and February, when temperatures range comfortably from 68°F to 79°F (20°C to 26°C). If travellers are keen to visit in summer, the best city to spend time in is Alexandria, as it has cooler summer temperatures then the rest of the country.