A country of northeast Africa that has a wonderful and distinctive ancient history imprinted in monumental buildings … A state that uses its amazing marine recreational resources in the tourism industry … We are, of course, talking about such an amazing corner of the world as Egypt.
Monthly weather in the territory of its resorts is extremely variable. For different seasons and different resorts of the Country of the Pharaohs, vacation has its own characteristics.
Actually, to familiarize readers with this specificity, it became necessary to write this article.
Climate Factors in Egypt
We begin our presentation with a concise description of the climate complex of this state. It has a pronounced desert-tropical character. As you know, the four main climatic zones are characterized by Egypt. Monthly weather depends on their seasonal interactions. We list them, also indicating the geographical location:
- west of the Nile River - Libyan desert;
- east of the same river is the Arabian desert;
- Nile Valley, where almost the entire population of Egypt resides;
- 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 after it, the air masses from the Mediterranean are isolated from the rest of the Pharaoh’s Land by an array of rocky mountains. Therefore, the influence of deserts affects the climate of all of Egypt. The country itself is sometimes figuratively called an oasis, stretched along the channel of the Nile between two deserts.
Briefly about the weather in Egypt
Egypt is unique. Monthly weather, in general, clearly distinguishes two periods:
- cool (from December to March);
- hot (from June to September).
Although the 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 fall off-season: in October - November. It is believed that this period is optimal both for excursions and for relaxing on the Red Sea coast.
However, the aforementioned statement of the guides, hand on heart, should be interpreted in such a way that the possibilities of rest in Egypt really exist year-round. On the one hand, the Red Sea is always available for swimming (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 for a certain type of vacation. In such a formulation, it is difficult to disagree with him. After all, the average weather in Egypt for months is characterized not only by air temperature at various resorts, but also by seasonal winds, the intensity of solar radiation.
The main climatic resorts of Egypt
Consider the annual temperature regime of this country, determining the average air and water temperatures in cities representing the main resorts of the Pharaohs Country:
- Alexandria (resorts of the Mediterranean coast);
- Luxor (historical and archaeological excursions);
- Hurghada (resorts on the west 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 excursions).
Thus, the weather and water in Egypt by months and in the context of the main resorts and excursion centers are presented by us below in the form of convenient bar graphs for perception:
For many residents of post-Soviet countries, Egypt has become a favorite health resort. A well-chosen season, resort, hotel contributes to quality rest. In making this choice, one of his criteria is the weather in Egypt for a year for months. Orientation in it is important for a tourist.
January and February
Let's say vacation fell in January. There is a category of vacationers that does not tolerate heat. 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. For the Egyptians it is cool, but not for the inhabitants of Russia. For them, the weather in Egypt in winter (there is not much difference between 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 resorts of the Red Sea. Which one to choose? Recommended Sharm El Sheikh. The air here in January rises to 25 degrees C. In the afternoon, the fact is that, unlike Hurghada, the northern Egyptian resort Sheikh Bay (the name of the resort is translated) is reliably protected by the mountains from the winds.
However, for surfers, for whom the wind is good, you can recommend a vacation in Hurghada. In addition, in January, tourists just right to plan for themselves excursions around the country, including 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 considered 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 the weather in Egypt for months happens, in essence, unexpected. According to the logic of things (see diagrams of average monthly temperatures) it gets 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 a seasonal hot and dry, blowing 50 days, deserted hamsin wind. The heat brought by him sometimes exceeds 40 degrees C. Sand penetrates everywhere, even (in an incomprehensible way) into rooms isolated by modern windows and doors. Sandstorms are frequent, and gusts of wind reach 100 m / s. It will be difficult for tourists traveling on a long excursion in such weather …
However, fortunately, dust storms do not reach the resorts. And in March, more tourists buying a holiday tour in four - five-star hotels, already choose not only Sharm El Sheikh, but also Hurghada (Egypt).
Hurghada (the weather is monthly, the water temperature in the diagrams presented by us demonstrate this) has already been warmed up by the spring sun and is also starting to attract tourists. This resort is traditionally preferred by tourists from the former CIS countries more than others.
April, thanks to the intensified Egyptian sun, which warms the air up to 30 degrees C during the day, attracts tourists - lovers of swimming - to the resorts of the Mediterranean Sea. Here the Egyptians themselves prefer to relax. Prices are lower than in the resorts of the Red Sea. However, there is a specificity. Religion Egyptians are convinced Muslims, so it is recommended that ladies resting in Mediterranean resorts use a closed swimsuit.
At the same time, for tourists who arrived in Egypt in March-April, we recall that it is better not to plan excursions far from the resorts until the third decade of April due to the harsh, dusty, hamsin desert wind.
In April there is a significant bonus: a fruit crop ripens (apples, orange, dates, guava, watermelons, melons). Accordingly, the nutrition of tourists is significantly enriched with vitamins.
May
In May, Egypt’s Mediterranean coast is in high season. Fans of quasi-European recreation and food tend to Alexandria and Al-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 purely hotel rest, but also by connoisseurs of excursions.
June - September
The time from June to September is characterized by a high level of solar radiation. A tropical climate of a desert type after all!
Summer clothes with a short sleeve for a long rest are not relevant: you should cover your body to protect yourself from sunburn. Vacationers for the same reason should not plan long excursions. Indeed, when the temperature of the air warmed up to 50 degrees C, they are more than tiring. But diving, as well as snorkeling (swimming with a snorkel, a mask and fins) becomes the number one vacation.
Professionals of this sport choose hotels near the most interesting and vibrant reefs as their vacation destination. This criterion is most important for them, it is even more respectful than the perfection of resort infrastructure. Many of these divers are attracted by the developing young resort of Marsa Alam.
Undoubtedly, the tourism infrastructure of the Country of the Pharaohs is developed and has its own bright brand. In the summer season, tourists are invited to absolutely all resorts representing Egypt …
"Hurghada, weather for months" (we emphasize this) - this is what is most relevant for tourists at this time! After all, only here (in Sharm el-Sheikh this is not), tourists receive an additional natural bonus: a cool wind from the sea, partially compensating for the summer heat.
As you know, we highly recommend Hurghada to summer lovers. We also recommend “water relaxation style” to summer tourists. If there is no way to join diving (thanks to several lessons and inexpensive equipment rental), then snorkeling is for you. You will not be disappointed! The Red Sea is unique in its rich coral underwater world. What bright and outlandish fish you will not find here! The secret of such an abundance is simple: industrial fishing has never been cultivated (and will not be cultivated!) In Egypt. Therefore, the natural complex of the Red Sea, as a unique environment untouched by human influence, is of constant interest to tourists.
The best season to relax
October and November (we already mentioned this) are ideal for relaxing in Egypt: tourists are not disturbed by the characteristic natural restraints (winds and excess solar radiation). You can freely plan a beach holiday and excursions. Finally, you can plan long trips, for example, to Luxor. It is here that the density of the location 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 up what they saw as their personal impression of ancient Egypt. The weather for months, finally (in October and November) does not limit the Europeans who are unaccustomed to the desert breathing in their movements.
“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 Sharm El Sheikh, sheltered from the winds by the mountains of the Sinai Peninsula. For comparison, if the night temperature at this time is on average 17 degrees C, then in Hurghada it is only 12 degrees C.
