Egypt Weather by Month 2026: Temperature Tables for 5 Regions

Egypt weather by month changes more than most first-time visitors expect: Cairo nights sit near 50°F in January while Luxor afternoons top 106°F in June, and the Red Sea coast stays several degrees milder than the Nile Valley in almost every season. This guide sets out the full month by month picture for the five destinations most SEV itineraries touch (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh), with verified minimum and maximum air temperatures, sea temperatures and travel notes for every month of the year. Figures are shown in Fahrenheit first, with Celsius in parentheses, and are based on 1991 to 2020 climate normals, the standard 30 year reference period, not a forecast for any single trip. Our Cairo-based team uses this same data to plan itineraries, so you can match your travel dates to the climate you actually want.

Egypt weather by month: the full temperature table

The table below covers the five regions most SEV travelers visit: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. Each cell shows the average overnight low to the average afternoon high, in Fahrenheit first with Celsius in parentheses, based on 1991 to 2020 climate normals.

Source: 1991 to 2020 climate normals, climatestotravel.com, checked 27 September 2026. Ranges are rounded to the nearest whole degree.

How to read Egypt's weather by month

Every figure in the table above is a 30 year average, not a promise for your exact travel week. The low end of each range is the typical overnight or early morning temperature, and the high end is the typical mid-afternoon peak; on any given day, actual conditions can run warmer or cooler than the average, especially in spring, when the khamsin (a hot, dust-laden wind off the Sahara) can push afternoon temperatures well above the seasonal norm for a day or two. The khamsin is most common between March and May, peaks in April, and is rare before March. Egypt weather by month barely needs a rain column: outside a light wet season in Alexandria from December to February, most of the country sees close to no rainfall in an average year, so cloud cover is rarely a factor in when to go. What changes far more from month to month, and matters more for planning, is the swing between day and night, which is largest inland in Luxor and Aswan and smallest on the coast in Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, where the sea keeps nights milder and days a touch cooler than the desert interior at the same latitude.

Egypt's four travel seasons at a glance

Most of the month by month detail below groups into four broad seasons. Reading the pattern first makes the individual months easier to place.

For a full month-by-month recommendation matched to your travel profile, see our best time to visit Egypt guide.

Egypt temperature month by month: detailed breakdown

January: the coolest month of the year

The coolest month in Egypt, but a world away from a US winter. Cairo runs 50 to 66°F (10 to 19°C), Luxor 45 to 73°F (7 to 23°C), Hurghada 52 to 72°F (11 to 22°C). The Red Sea sits at 72°F (22°C), swimmable with a light wetsuit. Skies are reliably blue, sunshine is near its yearly peak, and rain is close to nonexistent. Ideal for archaeological sightseeing without the punishing heat. See our Egypt in January 2026 guide.

February: winter mildness extended

Very close to January, just a couple of degrees warmer. Cairo 52 to 70°F (11 to 21°C), Hurghada 54 to 75°F (12 to 24°C). This is the peak of the English-speaking winter crowd (February break), so book hotels and cruises three to four months ahead. See our Egypt in February 2026 guide.

March: spring arrives

A clear warming trend. Cairo 55 to 75°F (13 to 24°C), Luxor 55 to 86°F (13 to 30°C). The Red Sea holds at 70°F (21°C), still its coolest point of the year. This is also when the khamsin wind starts to appear, occasionally reducing visibility for a day or two. See our Egypt in March 2026 guide.

April: comfortable almost everywhere

One of the most balanced months of the year for Cairo and the coast, though Luxor is already running hot. Cairo 61 to 82°F (16 to 28°C), Hurghada 66 to 86°F (19 to 30°C), Luxor 63 to 95°F (17 to 35°C). The Red Sea warms to about 72 to 73°F (22 to 23°C), comfortable for swimming. Khamsin winds are possible. See our Egypt in April 2026 guide.

May: the heat starts to build

A clear jump inland. Luxor climbs to 72 to 102°F (22 to 39°C), Cairo to 66 to 90°F (19 to 32°C), Hurghada to 73 to 93°F (23 to 34°C). The Red Sea reaches 75°F (24°C), excellent for diving. Plan Luxor sightseeing for early morning or late afternoon. See our Egypt in May 2026 guide.

June: dry, intense heat inland

A scorching summer away from the coast. Luxor runs 77 to 106°F (25 to 41°C), Cairo 72 to 95°F (22 to 35°C). The Red Sea reaches 79°F (26°C). Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, with air-conditioned hotels and sea breezes, are the more comfortable base this month. See our Egypt in June 2026 guide.

July: the hottest month for the Nile Valley

The summer peak inland. Luxor and Aswan regularly top 106 to 108°F (41 to 42°C) by afternoon. Cairo runs 75 to 95°F (24 to 35°C). The Red Sea is at its warmest yet, 81°F (27°C), ideal for swimming, and Red Sea hotel rates tend to be at their lowest point of the year. Avoid a Nile cruise or a Western Desert trip this month. See our Egypt in July 2026 guide.

August: heat continues, crowds return

Very close to July, with figures essentially unchanged across all five regions. It is also a heavier travel month: the Red Sea coast gets busier and rates climb back up in the second half of August. Water sits at 82°F (28°C), excellent for diving and snorkeling, and walking tours of Cairo or Luxor are best kept to before 11am or after 4pm. See our Egypt in August 2026 guide.

September: the turning point

A transition month. Cairo eases to 73 to 93°F (23 to 34°C), Luxor is still hot at 73 to 102°F (23 to 39°C), Hurghada sits at 79 to 95°F (26 to 35°C). The Red Sea peaks around 81 to 82°F (27 to 28°C). Tourist numbers start to drop and rates turn more favorable, a good window for travelers chasing lower prices over cooler weather. See our Egypt in September 2026 guide.

October: our favorite month

Probably the single best month to visit Egypt. Cairo runs 68 to 86°F (20 to 30°C), Luxor 68 to 97°F (20 to 36°C), Hurghada 72 to 90°F (22 to 32°C). Skies stay clear, crowds are thinner than November or December, and rates are reasonable. A strong choice for families with school-age children traveling outside peak holidays. See our Egypt in October 2026 guide.

November: high season returns

Still very pleasant across the board. Cairo 59 to 77°F (15 to 25°C), Luxor 55 to 84°F (13 to 29°C), Hurghada 64 to 82°F (18 to 28°C). Hotel rates climb back up from the middle of the month as winter high season begins, so this is a good pick for travelers who want pleasant weather while avoiding the December and January crowds. See our Egypt in November 2026 guide.

December: cool weather returns

Cairo 52 to 70°F (11 to 21°C), Luxor 48 to 75°F (9 to 24°C), Hurghada 55 to 75°F (13 to 24°C). This is peak season for Christmas and New Year travel, so book four to five months ahead if those dates matter to you. The Red Sea still holds at 73 to 75°F (23 to 24°C), guaranteed sun and a sharp contrast with a cold US winter. See our Egypt in December 2026 guide.

What is the lowest temperature in Egypt

Of the five destinations most travelers visit, Luxor has the coldest winter nights, dropping to about 45°F (7°C) in January, with Cairo and Aswan close behind at 50°F (10°C). But the true answer sits outside that list: Saint Catherine, high in the South Sinai mountains near the monastery and the trailhead for Mount Sinai, is Egypt's coldest inhabited place. Its January nights average around 35°F (1.7°C), December around 39°F (3.7°C), and the town's coldest night on record sits at about 21°F (minus 6°C), recorded in February. Light snow falls there most winters, typically between December and February. See our Saint Catherine and Mount Sinai guide if a high-altitude night in the desert is part of your plan.

The Western Desert also drops sharply after dark in winter, even though its daytime highs stay mild. Around Bahariya and the White Desert, nighttime lows in December and January typically fall to roughly 41 to 50°F (5 to 10°C), while daytime highs stay a comfortable 59 to 77°F (15 to 25°C). This is exactly why SEV always packs a warm layer into a winter desert camp, even when the daytime forecast looks mild. Our Egyptian desert guide covers what to pack for a night under canvas.

Sea temperature in Egypt by month

The Red Sea barely changes across the seasons compared with the air above it, which is exactly why Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh work as a year-round destination. The table below shows the average Red Sea temperature for each month.

The Mediterranean coast at Alexandria runs noticeably cooler, from about 63°F (17°C) in February to 81°F (27°C) in August, and is really only comfortable for swimming from May to October. For the full regional picture, see our Egypt weather guide by region or our detailed Hurghada weather guide.

Which month to choose for your travel profile

Temperature comparison by destination: when to visit what

Cairo and the Pyramids: October to April

Avoid June through August if you can, when full sun on the open Giza plateau turns grueling (95 to 99°F). If summer is your only window, plan sightseeing for early morning or late afternoon. Winters are ideal for the Grand Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili and the Citadel.

Luxor and Aswan, the Nile Valley: November to March

The hottest region in Egypt. Luxor swings from 45 to 73°F (7 to 23°C) in winter to 79 to 108°F (26 to 42°C) in July, and Aswan runs slightly hotter still. For cruises and temple visits, favor November through March, and treat May through September as a period to avoid entirely for extended outdoor touring.

Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, the Red Sea coast: year-round

The most temperate climate in Egypt, thanks to the sea. Mild winters at 52 to 75°F (11 to 24°C), hot but bearable summers at 82 to 100°F (28 to 38°C) tempered by a steady northerly wind, and a swimmable sea in every month of the year. For the full detail, see our Hurghada weather guide 2026.

The Western Desert: November to March

The sharpest day to night swing in the country. Winter days reach a mild 59 to 77°F (15 to 25°C), while nights fall to roughly 41 to 50°F (5 to 10°C). Summer days of 95 to 108°F (35 to 42°C) are hard to enjoy on foot. November through March, with a warm layer for the evening, is the window to book. See our Egyptian desert guide.

Rain, humidity and khamsin winds in Egypt

Egypt is one of the driest countries on the planet outside its Mediterranean fringe. In January, for example, Cairo sees an average of only 3.8mm of rain across 3 days, while Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh see essentially none at all across the whole month. Low humidity, well under the wet heat of Southeast Asia at similar temperatures, is a large part of why a 95°F afternoon in Luxor feels more manageable than a much cooler, humid day elsewhere. Alexandria is the exception: its Mediterranean climate brings the country's only real wet season, concentrated between December and February. The other factor worth planning around is the khamsin, a hot, dry, sand-laden wind that blows up from the Sahara mainly between March and May and occasionally in autumn; it can push afternoon temperatures well above the seasonal average for a day or two and reduce visibility, so a flexible day or two of buffer in a spring itinerary is sensible, particularly around outdoor sites like the Giza plateau or Karnak.

Frequently asked questions about Egypt's temperature

What is Egypt's weather like month by month?

Egypt runs a cool season from December to February (Cairo days in the 60s to 70s°F), a warming season from March to May, an intense hot season from June to August (Luxor and Aswan regularly above 106°F), and a cooling season from September to November. The Red Sea coast stays milder than the Nile Valley in every season. See the full table above for exact figures by region and month.

What is the hottest month in Egypt?

July and August, in Luxor and Aswan, where afternoons reach 106 to 108°F (41 to 42°C). Cairo climbs to 95°F (35°C), Hurghada to about 99 to 100°F (37 to 38°C). Nights stay warm across the country, around 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C). It is the season to avoid for extended archaeological sightseeing.

What is the lowest temperature in Egypt?

Saint Catherine, high in the South Sinai mountains, is Egypt's coldest inhabited place, with January nights averaging around 35°F (1.7°C) and a record low near 21°F (minus 6°C). Of the five main tourist destinations, Luxor has the coldest winter nights at about 45°F (7°C) in January, and the Western Desert drops to roughly 41 to 50°F (5 to 10°C) on winter nights even though its days stay mild.

Can you swim in Egypt in winter?

Yes, in the Red Sea at Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh or Marsa Alam, where the water holds at 70 to 72°F (21 to 22°C) in January and February. It is cool for anyone who feels the cold, but pleasant for most American travelers. The Mediterranean at Alexandria drops to about 63°F (17°C) and is barely swimmable in winter. The Nile itself is never used for swimming.

Does Egypt get dangerous heat waves?

Low humidity keeps the dry inland heat more bearable than a much cooler, humid climate would feel, but Luxor in July, at 106 to 108°F (41 to 42°C), is still serious heat. Avoid sightseeing between 11am and 5pm without water and a hat, and older travelers in particular should plan indoor breaks during the hottest hours.

Are there rainy seasons in Egypt?

No, unlike South or Southeast Asia. Most of the country sees close to no rain: Cairo averages about 3.8mm across 3 days in a typical January, and Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh see essentially none. Alexandria is the exception, with a genuine, if mild, wet season from December to February.

What is the sea temperature in Egypt?

The Red Sea ranges from about 70°F (21°C) in February and March to 82°F (28°C) in August, and is swimmable year-round. The Mediterranean at Alexandria runs from about 63°F (17°C) in February to 81°F (27°C) in August, and is really only comfortable from May to October.

Do you need warm clothes in Egypt?

Yes, for winter evenings, the desert and a Nile cruise deck at night. Cairo and Luxor nights can drop to 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C) in January, and the Western Desert falls to roughly 41 to 50°F (5 to 10°C). A sweater, scarf and light jacket earn their place from November to March. In summer, T-shirts and shorts are enough everywhere.

Is Egypt's climate changing with global warming?

Yes, gradually. A published study of Egypt's temperature trends found maximum temperatures were about 1.3°C (roughly 2.3°F) higher in 2010 than in 1960, a pattern that has continued since. The Red Sea has also warmed, by roughly 1.2°F (0.7°C) over the past two decades according to published sea-surface-temperature studies. For 2026, expect conditions within the historical ranges shown in this guide.

What is the best month for Egypt weather?

October and November are the closest to an all-around sweet spot: comfortable temperatures across every region, thinner crowds than December or January, and a swimmable Red Sea. March and April are close behind, with a small risk of khamsin winds. See our best time to visit Egypt guide for a full breakdown by travel style.

How much does the temperature vary between Cairo and Aswan?

About 7 to 11°F (4 to 6°C), with Aswan consistently warmer in every month of the year. In January, for example, Cairo's high averages 66°F (19°C) against Aswan's 73°F (23°C); in June the gap narrows slightly but Aswan still runs hotter. The further south you travel along the Nile, the warmer and drier the climate becomes.

Plan your Egypt trip with the ideal temperature

Our English-speaking team knows the climate of each region in detail and advises on the best time for your travel profile. Our packages always include:

• Month-by-month advice: which itinerary suits your travel season
• Suitable hotels: air conditioning, heated winter pools, private beach access
• Domestic flights: avoiding long road transfers in the height of summer
• English-speaking guide: a climate briefing before each visit
• 24/7 WhatsApp support in case of unexpected weather (khamsin, storm)

To go further, browse our Egypt weather guide by region, our Egypt travel budget 2026, our Egypt tourism map, or our custom Egypt tours offer.