Egypt, a land of ancient wonders and sun-soaked landscapes, is characterized by a predominantly arid desert climate. Its weather patterns are defined by two main seasons: a mild winter from November to April and a hot summer from May to October. Rainfall is minimal and occurs mainly in the northern coastal areas during winter months. Inland, the weather remains dry, with significant temperature differences between day and night.
This guide provides an in-depth look at monthly weather averages across key Egyptian destinations: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheikh.
Climate Summary: Egypt’s Two-Season System
- Winter (November to April):
- Mild days with cool to cold nights.
- Favorable for travel and outdoor exploration.
- Light rainfall in Alexandria and coastal regions.
- Summer (May to October):
- Intensely hot, especially in southern cities like Luxor and Aswan.
- Dry desert winds with very little humidity inland.
- Coastal cities (e.g., Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh) are slightly moderated by the Red Sea.
📊 Monthly Temperature (°C / °F)
Month | Cairo Min/Max | Alexandria Min/Max | Luxor Min/Max | Aswan Min/Max | Hurghada Air/Water | Sharm El Sheikh Air/Water |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan | 8.6 / 19.1 47 / 66 | 9.3 / 18.3 49 / 65 | 5.4 / 23 42 / 74 | 8 / 23.8 46 / 75 | 24 / 18 75 / 64 | 24 / 18 75 / 64 |
Feb | 9.3 / 21 48 / 69 | 9.7 / 19.2 49 / 67 | 6.8 / 25.4 44 / 78 | 9.4 / 26.1 49 / 79 | 25 / 18 77 / 64 | 25 / 18 77 / 64 |
Mar | 11.2 / 23.7 52 / 75 | 11.3 / 21 52 / 70 | 10.7 / 29 51 / 84 | 12.6 / 30.4 54 / 86 | 26 / 20 79 / 68 | 26 / 20 79 / 68 |
Apr | 13.9 / 28.2 56 / 83 | 14.5 / 23.6 58 / 75 | 15.7 / 35 60 / 95 | 17.5 / 36 63 / 97 | 31 / 25 88 / 77 | 31 / 25 88 / 77 |
May | 17.4 / 32.4 63 / 90 | 16.7 / 26.5 62 / 80 | 20.7 / 39.3 69 / 103 | 21.1 / 38.5 71 / 101 | 35 / 26 95 / 79 | 35 / 26 95 / 79 |
Jun | 19.9 / 34.5 68 / 95 | 20.4 / 28.2 69 / 83 | 22.6 / 41 72 / 107 | 24.2 / 42.1 76 / 108 | 37 / 28 99 / 82 | 37 / 28 99 / 82 |
Jul | 21.5 / 35.4 71 / 96 | 22.7 / 29.6 73 / 86 | 23.6 / 40.8 74 / 106 | 24.5 / 42 76 / 108 | 40 / 28 107 / 82 | 40 / 28 107 / 82 |
Aug | 21.6 / 34.8 71 / 95 | 22.9 / 30.4 73 / 87 | 23.5 / 41 74 / 107 | 24.7 / 41.3 76 / 107 | 42 / 29 108 / 84 | 42 / 29 108 / 84 |
Sept | 19.9 / 23.3 68 / 89 | 21.3 / 29.4 71 / 85 | 21.5 / 38.5 71 / 101 | 22.2 / 39.6 72 / 103 | 38 / 27 100 / 81 | 38 / 27 100 / 81 |
Oct | 17.8 / 29.8 64 / 86 | 17.9 / 27.7 64 / 82 | 17.8 / 35.1 64 / 95 | 19.3 / 36.6 66 / 99 | 32 / 25 90 / 77 | 32 / 25 90 / 77 |
Nov | 12.1 / 24.1 54 / 75 | 14.8 / 24.4 59 / 76 | 12.3 / 29.6 54 / 85 | 14.5 / 30.2 58 / 86 | 26 / 23 79 / 73 | 26 / 23 79 / 73 |
Dec | 10.4 / 20.7 51 / 69 | 11.2 / 20.4 52 / 69 | 7.7 / 24.8 45 / 76 | 9.9 / 20.5 50 / 69 | 26 / 19 79 / 66 | 26 / 19 79 / 66 |
🌆 Regional Weather Highlights
Cairo
- Inland and arid, Cairo experiences sharp contrasts between hot days and cooler nights.
- Best time to visit: October to April, when temperatures are comfortable for sightseeing.
Alexandria
- Coastal Mediterranean climate, making it cooler and more humid than Cairo.
- Rainfall occurs primarily from November to February.
Luxor & Aswan
- Located in Upper Egypt, both cities are extremely hot from May to September.
- July and August regularly exceed 40°C (104°F).
- Ideal for winter travel (November to March).
Hurghada & Sharm El Sheikh
- Popular Red Sea resorts.
- Coastal breeze moderates intense inland heat.
- Water temperatures remain swim-friendly year-round, peaking in August (29°C / 84°F).
🏖️ Travel Tips by Season
Season | Best For | Travel Notes |
---|---|---|
Winter (Nov-Apr) | Cultural tours, Nile cruises, desert treks | Pack layers for chilly nights |
Summer (May-Oct) | Diving, beach holidays, resort stays | Sunscreen and hydration are essential |
Spring (Mar-May) | Blooming deserts, fewer tourists | Some heatwaves in Upper Egypt |
Autumn (Sept-Nov) | Comfortable temperatures | Warm seas, pleasant evenings |

