A country in Northeast Africa that has an amazing and original ancient history, captured in monumental structures… A state that uses its amazing marine recreational resource in the tourism industry… Of course, we are talking about such an amazing corner of the world as Egypt.
The weather on the territory of its resorts is extremely changeable by months. For different seasons and different resorts of the Land of the Pharaohs, rest has its own characteristics.
As a matter of fact, in order to familiarize readers with this specificity, it became necessary to write this article.
Factors shaping Egypt's climate
Our presentation will begin with a concise description of the climatic complex of this state. It has a pronounced desert-tropical character. As you know, Egypt is characterized by four main climatic zones. Weather by month depends on their seasonal interaction. We list them, also indicating the geographical location:
- west of the Nile River - Libyan Desert;
- East of the same river - Arabian Desert;
- Nile Valley, where almost the entire population of Egypt lives;
- Sinai Peninsula (geographically related to the Asian continent).
The fifth climatic zone is a narrow strip of the Mediterranean coast with a characteristic subtropical warm and humid climate. However, immediately behind it, the air masses from the Mediterranean are isolated from the rest of the territory of the Land of the Pharaohs by an array of rocky mountains. Therefore, the influence of deserts affects the climate of all Egypt. The country itself is sometimes figuratively called an oasis stretched along the Nile between two deserts.
Egypt weather in brief
Egypt is unique. Weather by month, in general, clearly distinguishes two periods:
- cool (from December to March);
- hot (from June to September).
Although guides to the Land of the Pharaohs claim that the holiday season does not stop here throughout the year, gourmets still prefer to go there in the autumn off-season: in October - November. It is believed that this period is optimal for both excursions and recreation on the Red Sea coast.
However, the aforementioned statement of the guidebooks, in all honesty, should be interpreted in such a way that the opportunities for recreation in Egypt really exist all year round. On the one hand, the Red Sea is accessible tobathing is always (in the cold period it is not cooler than 20 degrees C, and in the hot it warms up to 28 degrees C).
However, there are seasonal nuances that limit the time of a certain type of holiday. It is hard to disagree with him in this formulation. After all, the average weather in Egypt for months is characterized not only by the air temperature at various resorts, but also by seasonal winds and the intensity of solar radiation.
Egypt's main climatic resorts
Let's consider the annual temperature regime of this country, determining the average air and water temperatures in the cities representing the main resorts of the Land of the Pharaohs:
- Alexandria (Mediterranean resorts);
- Luxor (historical and archaeological excursions);
- Hurghada (resorts of the western coast of the Red Sea);
- Sharm el-Sheikh (northern resorts, Sinai Peninsula);
- Cairo (excursions to the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, as well as city tours).
Thus, the weather and water in Egypt by months and in the context of the main resorts and excursion centers is presented by us below in the form of easy-to-read bar charts:
For many residents of the post-Soviet countries, Egypt has become a favorite he alth resort. An optimally selected season, resort, hotel contributes to quality rest. When making such a choice, one of his criteria is the weather in Egypt for a year by months. Navigating it is important for a tourist.
January and February
Suppose the vacation fell onJanuary. There is a category of vacationers that does not tolerate heat well. This is their time! At this time, the water of the Mediterranean Sea is not suitable for swimming: about 16 degrees C. But in the Red Sea it is warmer - an average of 21 degrees C. It is cool for the Egyptians, but not for the inhabitants of Russia. For them, the weather in Egypt in winter (there is no particular difference in the months of this time of year) resembles the velvet season in Sochi. Thus, it is reasonable for a tourist to choose a tour to a hotel in the Red Sea resorts. Which one to choose? We recommend Sharm El Sheikh. The air here in January rises to 25 degrees C during the day. The fact is that, unlike Hurghada, the northern Egyptian resort of Sheikhs Bay (as the name of the resort is translated) is reliably protected from the winds by mountains.
However, for surfers who love the wind, we can also advise you to rest in Hurghada. In addition, in January it is time for tourists to plan excursions around the country for themselves, incl. to Cairo and Luxor.
February weather in the Land of the Pharaohs is similar to January. Therefore, all our previous recommendations remain valid.
February is the coolest month in Egypt. Indeed, the average temperature of air and water is reduced by 1 - 2 degrees C.
March and April
March is changeable and fraught with characteristic features. And this is a vivid example, showing what kind of weather in Egypt happens for months, in its essence, unexpected. According to the logic of things (see charts of average monthly temperatures), it is getting warmer, but not significantly.
However, this season: from March to the third decade of April - is considered the most unfavorable for excursions to Cairo and Luxor. The reason is the seasonal hot and dry desert wind khamsin blowing for 50 days. The heat it brings sometimes exceeds 40 degrees C. The sand penetrates everywhere, even (in an incomprehensible way) into rooms isolated by modern windows and doors. Sandstorms are not uncommon, and wind gusts reach 100 m/s. Tourists who go on a long excursion in such weather will have a hard time on the road …
However, fortunately, dust storms do not reach the resorts. And in March, more tourists buying a vacation tour in four - five star hotels are already choosing not only Sharm el-Sheikh, but also Hurghada (Egypt).
Hurghada (the weather by months, the water temperature in the diagrams presented by us demonstrate this) is already warmed up by the spring sun and is also beginning to attract tourists. This resort is traditionally preferred by tourists from the former CIS countries.
April, thanks to the activated Egyptian sun, which during the day warms the air up to 30 degrees C, attracts tourists - lovers of swimming - to the resorts of the Mediterranean Sea. The Egyptians themselves prefer to rest here. Prices here are lower than in the resorts of the Red Sea. However, there are also specifics. Egyptians by religion are staunch Muslims, so ladies vacationing in Mediterranean resorts are advised to use a closed swimsuit.
At the same time, we remind tourists who arrived in March - April to Egypt that it is better not to even plan excursions remote from the resorts untilthe third decade of April due to the harsh dusty desert wind khamsin.
In April there is a significant bonus: the harvest of fruits (apples, orange, dates, guava, watermelons, melons) ripens. Accordingly, the nutrition of tourists is significantly enriched with vitamins.
May
In May, the Mediterranean coast of Egypt is the peak of the season. Fans of quasi-European rest and food tend to Alexandria and El Arish because of the good traditional colonial service, as well as significantly lower prices than in European resorts.
The heat in May has not yet reached its highest levels on the Red Sea coast. Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada (meaning the western and northern resorts of Egypt in general) are chosen not only by lovers of a purely hotel holiday, but also by connoisseurs of excursions.
June - September
The time from June to September is characterized by a high level of solar radiation. Tropical desert-type climate after all!
Short-sleeved summer clothes are not relevant for long holidays: you should cover your body to protect yourself from sunburn. Vacationers for the same reason should not plan long excursions. Indeed, at an air temperature that has warmed up to 50 degrees C, they are more than tiring. But the number one recreation is diving, as well as snorkeling (swimming with a tube, mask and fins).
Professionals of this sport choose hotels near the most interesting and vibrant reefs as a place of rest. This criterion is the most important for them, it evenmore preferable than the perfection of the resort infrastructure. Many of these divers are drawn to the growing young resort of Marsa Alam.
Undoubtedly, the tourist infrastructure of the Land of the Pharaohs is developed and has its own bright brand. In the summer season, tourists are invited to absolutely all the resorts representing Egypt…
"Hurghada, the weather by months" (we emphasize this) - that's what is most relevant at this time for tourists! After all, only here (in Sharm el-Sheikh this is not the case) tourists receive an additional natural bonus: a cool breeze from the sea, partially compensating for the summer heat.
As you understand, we strongly recommend Hurghada to summer holiday lovers. We also recommend the “water style of relaxation” for summer tourists. If there is no way to join diving (thanks to a few lessons and inexpensive equipment rental), then snorkeling is for you. You won't be disappointed! The Red Sea is unique for its richest coral underwater world. What bright and outlandish fish you will not meet here! The secret of such an abundance is simple: industrial fishing has never been cultivated in Egypt (and will never be cultivated!) Therefore, the natural complex of the Red Sea, as a unique environment untouched by human influence, is of constant interest to tourists.
Best holiday season
October and November (we already mentioned this earlier) are ideal for holidays in Egypt: tourists are not hindered by characteristic natural barriers (winds and excess solar radiation). You can freely plan both beach holidays and excursions. Finally you canplan long trips, for example to Luxor. It is here that the density of ancient relics is the highest in the Land of the Pharaohs. Vacationers have a rare opportunity - without being distracted by the heat or wind, to make their own personal impression of ancient Egypt from what they see. The weather by months, finally (in October and November) does not limit the movements of Europeans, unaccustomed to the breath of the desert.
“Russian Season”
In the second half of November and especially in December (which the Egyptians call the "Russian season") cool winds blow in Egypt. However, the average water temperature of the Red Sea - 21 degrees C - is quite suitable for swimming. And the meeting in Egypt of the New Year is invariably exotic and memorable.
The warmest resort at this time is considered to be protected from the winds by the mountains of the Sinai Peninsula Sharm el-Sheikh. For comparison, if the night temperature at this time here averages 17 degrees C, then in Hurghada it is only 12 degrees C.
Instead of a conclusion
Undoubtedly, holidays in the Land of the Pharaohs, despite the advertised year-round, have pronounced weather cycles, because the desert country is Egypt.
The weather here varies by month in different resorts of this country. It is advisable for tourists to adjust their vacation plans, given the scorching sun and seasonal desert winds (sometimes hot, carrying sand, sometimes cold).
Therefore, when planning their vacation, experienced tourists do not just vary their choice of hotels, guided byreviews. They (and this is reasonable!) First of all choose the best resort for the season for their vacation. In addition, such vacationers plan their expenses in advance, because in some months it is not at all reasonable to spend money on expensive and long-distance excursions.
We hope that our article will help you better organize your holiday.
