Egypt’s climate is a reflection of its geography, dominating the northeastern corner of Africa and the Middle East, with the vast majority of its landmass being desert. The country is shaped by the Nile River, which provides a narrow ribbon of arable land through the arid landscape. Its climate patterns are overwhelmingly influenced by its location in a subtropical belt.
Defining Egypt’s Arid Climate
Egypt’s climate is classified as a hot desert climate, specifically the Köppen classification BWh, which characterizes most of the country. This classification is a consequence of the nation’s position under the subtropical high-pressure belt, which suppresses cloud formation and rainfall. The Sahara Desert blankets a significant portion of Egypt, resulting in a hyper-arid environment where moisture is exceedingly scarce.
Rainfall is a rare occurrence across the central and southern regions; locations south of Cairo often receive less than a few millimeters annually. The low relative humidity is a defining characteristic of the interior, creating a very dry atmosphere. This lack of cloud cover contributes to an exceptionally high number of annual sunshine hours, which can exceed 4,000 hours in the interior parts of the country.
Seasonal Patterns and Temperature Extremes
The annual climate cycle in Egypt is divided into two primary seasons: a long, scorching summer and a mild winter. The summer season, which generally runs from May to October, is characterized by intense heat across the entire country. Daytime high temperatures in the interior desert areas, such as Luxor and Aswan, routinely exceed 41°C (106°F) during the peak months.
The winter season, spanning from November to April, brings significantly milder conditions. Daytime highs typically hover around 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). A major feature of the desert climate is the large diurnal temperature range, which is the significant difference between daytime highs and nighttime lows.
In the desert interior, the ground radiates heat quickly after sunset due to the dry air and lack of cloud cover, causing temperatures to plummet dramatically. This can result in a thermal difference of 20°C to 30°C (36°F to 54°F) in a single day, where scorching afternoons give way to cold nights, sometimes approaching freezing in the winter months.
The Influence of Geography on Regional Climates
While the hot desert climate dominates, proximity to major bodies of water introduces regional variations that modify the general temperature and humidity patterns. The Mediterranean Coastal climate, exemplified by cities like Alexandria, experiences a moderating effect from the sea. This results in slightly higher humidity and milder temperatures compared to the interior, with winter highs around 18°C to 20°C (64°F to 68°F).
The northern coast is the only region that receives noticeable rainfall, concentrated in the winter months. Conversely, the Interior Desert climate, such as in Upper Egypt, is characterized by extreme dryness and the most dramatic temperature fluctuations. The lack of maritime influence allows summer daytime temperatures to soar to their highest peaks and winter nighttime temperatures to drop to their lowest.
A specific weather event is the Khamsin, a hot, dry, and sand-laden wind that typically blows between March and June. This wind originates from the interior, often preceding a low-pressure system, and can cause temperatures to rise rapidly, sometimes by as much as 10°C to 15°C in a short period. The Khamsin carries significant amounts of dust, reducing visibility and creating oppressive conditions.