Cairo weather is similar to that found in most parts of Egypt and is considered to be largely arid and temperate. Situated in the northeast part of the country on the Nile River, Egypt’s capital and largest city has high humidity levels especially during the summer period, a factor attributed to its proximity to the river valley and the effects the latter has on its weather patterns. Meanwhile, because of its geographical position, the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea are both considered to have immense influence on Cairo weather.

Understandably Cairo suffers from low precipitation levels, receiving a little more than one centimeter of rain each year, although the sudden showers that occasionally intercept Cairo’s otherwise dry atmosphere, can cause harsh flooding. Again, like the major part of Egypt, Cairo weather can be divided into two distinct seasons: commencing in November and running all the way through April, the mild winter season is relatively pleasant and is considered to be the best time to visit the city, while the weather during the summer season that runs between May to October is considerably warmer.

Situated as it is near the Sahara desert, Cairo is open to attacks of the ferocious, frequent and hot wind locally known as the 'khamsin' that covers the capital in a layer of sand and dust. This phenomenon is mostly evident in the months of March and April.

Despite the heat usually associated with the city, Cairo’s winters are noticeable for their chilly early mornings and evenings. Although during day time, temperatures range between 13°C to 19°C, during the night they drop bellow 8°C, often plummeting to 5°C, while in New Cairo they dip bellow zero. Thanks to its higher altitude which reaches up to 500m above sea level, New Cairo has a generally cooler weather in comparison to that in the old city. During the summer season, temperatures occasionally surpass 40°C, registering lows of around 20°C. With temperatures exceeding 35°C June and July are tend to be the hottest months.

As mentioned earlier, Cairo’s proximity to both the Mediterranean Sea and the Nile is of great importance to the shape of its weather. As there are no mountain ranges to obstruct the influence of prevailing winds, the breezes blowing in from the river cool the air considerably, offering a much needed relief from daytime’s often stifling heat.

When to Visit

Cairo's dry weather and its distinctive lack of any substantial rainfall ensure that outdoor activities cab continue uninterrupted and visits to the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx can be arranged at any given time of the year. However, visitors are advised to wear plenty of sunscreen at all times of the year to protect them from Cairo’s scorching sun.

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