Egypt Weather 2026 - Climate Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada by Region

Weather in Egypt 2026 varies significantly depending on the region you visit. Cairo experiences a temperate desert climate, Hurghada benefits from the mildness of the Red Sea, Luxor suffers from intense heat in summer, and the Western Desert can drop to near freezing at night. Understanding these regional differences is essential to planning your trip and choosing the right time. Our SEV team presents to you here the complete weather forecast for Egypt by region and season - min/max temperatures, sea, sunshine, precipitation - and our recommendations for each traveler profile.

Climate of Egypt - overview

Egypt is a country with a predominantly hot desert climate (BWh in the Köppen classification) with only one exception - the Mediterranean coast (Alexandria) which has a semi-arid climate with Mediterranean influences. Three factors define Egypt weather throughout the territory:

• Latitude - 22 to 31° north, Florida/Mexico equivalent. Almost vertical sun in summer, maximum sunshine.
• Continentality - 90% of the territory is desert, significant day/night differences (10-15°C).
• Temperate seas - Mediterranean to the north (moderate Alexandria), Red Sea to the east (Hurghada/mild Sharm).

The year is divided into two main seasons - the cool season (October to April) and the warm season (May to September). The real European "seasons" (spring, autumn) are short transitions of 4 to 6 weeks.

Weather Cairo - climate of the capital

Cairo experiences a desert climate tempered by the Nile Delta. Mild winters 9-19°C, torrid summers 22-35°C, annual sunshine of 3,500 hours, almost zero precipitation (24 mm/year). This is the climatic basis for planning visits to the Pyramids, Great Egyptian Museum, and the archaeological sites of Saqqara/Memphis.

Month	Min	Max	Sun	Rain
January	9°C	19°C	7am	5mm
February	10°C	21°C	8am	4mm
March	12°C	24°C	9am	3mm
April	15°C	29°C	10am	1mm
May	18°C	33°C	11am	1mm
June	22°C	35°C	12 p.m.	0mm
July	23°C	36°C	12 p.m.	0mm
August	23°C	36°C	11am	0mm
September	21°C	33°C	10am	0mm
October	17°C	29°C	10am	1mm
November	14°C	25°C	9am	3mm
December	10°C	20°C	7am	5mm

To visit Cairo comfortably, choose October-April (temperatures 17-25°C during the day). Avoid June-August when the 36°C in full sun on the Giza plateau becomes demanding - plan visits early in the morning (8 a.m.-11 a.m.) or late afternoon (4 p.m.-7 p.m.).

Weather Luxor - climate of the Nile Valley

Luxor (679 km south of Cairo) has a pure desert climate without maritime influence. Very mild winters but cool at night (6-22°C), scorching summers (22-41°C). This is the ideal weather for Nile cruises in winter, but avoid in high summer for visiting the temples.

Season	Min	Max	Recommendation
Winter (Dec-Feb)	6°C	23°C	Optimal for archaeological visits + Nile cruise
Spring (March-May)	11°C	32°C	March excellent, May already hot
Summer (June-August)	22°C	41°C	Exhausting visits, not recommended
Fall (Sep-Nov)	14°C	35°C	Perfect October-November, September still hot

SEV tip - in high season (November-March), nights on the cruise ship can be cool (9-12°C). Bring a sweater for evenings on the upper deck.

Weather Hurghada and Red Sea

Hurghada benefits from the most stable climate in Egypt thanks to the Red Sea which moderates the differences. Temperatures winter 13-22°C, summer 25-37°C, sea between 22°C (winter) and 28°C (summer), 360 days of sunshine per year. For a detailed month-by-month analysis, see our Hurghada weather guide 2026 dedicated.

Notable Features:

• Precipitation - 5 mm cumulative per year, or 1 day of rain every 5 years
• Bathable sea all year round - 22°C in January remains pleasant, 28°C in July-August for family swimming
• Prevailing wind - from the north 14-20 km/h, perfect for water sports (kitesurfing in El Gouna)
• Khamsin - sandstorm from the Sahara, possible 1-3 days in April-May

Weather Sharm el-Sheikh and Sinai

Sharm el-Sheikh, on the Sinai Peninsula, experiences a climate similar to Hurghada with a few nuances:

• Slightly warmer (1-2°C warmer in winter)
• Slightly different winds (offshore versus onshore from Hurghada)
• Ras Mohamed reef among the best in the world, diving visibility 30-40m
• Mount Sinai - continental climate, 0-5°C in winter for night hiking
• Sainte-Catherine (1,600 m altitude) - occasional snow December-February

Weather Alexandria and the Mediterranean

Alexandria features Egypt's most European climate - semi-arid Mediterranean. Cool and humid winters 9-18°C with rain (190 mm/year cumulative), hot but humid summers 22-29°C. It is the only major city in Egypt where it rains significantly.

Special features to know:

• Winter rains - December-February may experience 5-10 rainy days/month
• sweet summer - 29°C max, contrast with 36-41°C in Cairo or Luxor
• Constant wind - pleasant Mediterranean breeze but can be strong in winter
• Humidity - 70-75% versus 50% in Cairo, felt more humid

To visit Alexandria on a day trip from Cairo (220 km, 2h30), choose April-June and September-October. See our stopovers and shore excursions guide.

Weather Western Desert and Oases

The western desert (Bahariya, White Desert, Siwa) has a continental climate with extreme day/night differences:

• Winter (Dec-Feb) - day 18-22°C pleasant, night 0-5°C very cold
• Spring (March-May) - day 25-32°C, night 8-15°C, ideal for bivouac
• Summer (June-August) - scorching 35-42°C day, pleasant 20-25°C night. What to avoid or do by plane to Siwa
• Fall (Sep-Nov) - day 22-30°C, night 8-18°C, perfect

For a desert safari with bivouac, choose November-March (bearable temperatures, clear skies for stargazing). Check out our complete guide to the Egyptian desert.

When to go to Egypt according to the weather

Period	Optimal regions	Regions to avoid
December - February	Cairo, Luxor, Nile cruise, Hurghada (winter sun)	Western desert cold nights, sea for those who are cold
March - April	All regions except North Sinai	Khamsin possible (1-3 days)
May - June	Red Sea, Sinai, Alexandria	Luxor already hot (35°C+)
July - August	Red Sea (hotel air conditioning), Alexandria	Luxor heatwave, Western Desert
September	Red Sea, Sinai	Cairo, Luxor (still 33°C+)
October - November	All regions, perfect period	None

For a detailed month-by-month analysis with precise temperatures for each city, see our Egypt temperature guide by month.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about the weather in Egypt

What is the best season to visit Egypt?

October to April for the whole country. November, March and April offer the best compromise - temperatures 22-28°C during the day, guaranteed sunshine, little rain. Avoid June-August for Cairo/Louxor (35°C+) unless you stay in the Red Sea.

Does it rain in Egypt?

Very little except in Alexandria. Cairo receives 24 mm/year (vs. 640 mm in Paris), Hurghada 5 mm/year, Luxor 1 mm/year. Alexandria is the exception with 190 mm/year concentrated in winter. The country is overall the driest in the inhabited world.

Do you need a fleece in Egypt in winter?

Yes for the evenings and for the desert. Cairo/Luxor drops to 9-10°C at night. Western Desert can reach 0°C. On the Nile cruise, bring a sweater for the upper deck in the evening. Milder Red Sea (13-14°C at night) but a light jacket is still useful.

Is there a risk of thunderstorms or storms?

Almost non-existent. The only notable phenomena are the khamsin (sand wind from the Sahara, April-May, 1-3 days per year) and the rare thunderstorms in Alexandria in winter. No cyclones, no monsoons, no tornadoes. Climate among the most stable in the world.

Can you see snow in Egypt?

Very rarely. Sainte-Catherine (Sinai, 1,600 m altitude) receives a few snowfalls per year in winter. Mount Sinai (2,285 m) sometimes experiences snow in January-February. The rest of the country never sees snow - even Alexandria in the dead of winter.

How hot is the Red Sea?

Between 22°C (January-February) and 28°C (July-August). Still swimmable. For diving, a 3mm shorty wetsuit in winter (December-March), swimsuit is sufficient in summer. The Mediterranean Sea in Alexandria is cooler (16°C winter, 26°C summer).

Is Egypt hotter than Morocco?

Egypt has hotter summers (Cairo 36°C vs Marrakech 33°C) but milder winters (Hurghada 22°C vs Marrakech 19°C). Above all, Egypt has much more sun (3,800 hours/year in Hurghada vs. 3,000 hours in Marrakech) and much less rain.

Is there a time difference in Egypt?

Egypt is 2 hours ahead of the UK for most of the year, and 1 hour ahead from late March to late April, when the UK is already on BST and Egypt has not yet started its summer time (brought back in 2023). When it is 12 p.m. in London in January, it is 2 p.m. in Cairo. No real jet lag for travellers from the UK.

Prepare your trip to Egypt with the ideal weather

Our English-speaking team organizes trips to Egypt according to the best climatic conditions of your period. Each package includes season-specific recommendations:

• Winter - Cairo circuit + Nile cruise (mild climate for visits)
• Spring - complete circuit including Red Sea or desert (perfect temperatures everywhere)
• Summer - Red Sea or Sinai seaside stay (sea 28°C, air-conditioned hotels)
• Autumn - complete circuit at advantageous prices (low crowds)

For more details on the weather Hurghada, the temperature Egypt month by month, or the best time to go to Egypt, consult our dedicated guides.

To go further, see our Egypt travel budget 2026, our Egypt tourism map 2026, or our tailor-made Egypt tours offer.