The weather in Egypt is typically desertic. It means that days are warm or hot, and nights tend to be cool. Throughout the Red Sea Riviera humidity is almost non-existent, and constant breezes make the warm to hot temperatures more than bearable if not simply very pleasant during any period of the year. There are only two seasons: a mild winter from November to April and a hot summer from May to October. The only differences between the seasons are variations in daytime temperatures and changes in prevailing winds. Along the Red Sea, temperatures range between an average minimum of 14° C in winter and an average maximum of 35° C in summer. Precipitation is almost non-existent: only in autumn and spring the odd rainfall that lasts no longer than fifteen minutes helps sustaining the rare desert flora and fauna. Some areas can experience years without rain, and suddenly receive downpours that result in flash floods. Sinai receives somewhat more rainfall than the other desert areas, and the region is dotted by numerous wells and oases, resulting in a somewhat more humid climate than the rest of the Red Sea coast. The area of Marsa Alam, due to the vicinity to the Tropic of Cancer, has a slightly more humid weather than the rest of the Red Sea governorate coast. It results in a beautiful coastal area with a number of mangrove and palm tree groves. A typical feature of Egypt’s weather is the “khamseen”, a hot sandy spring wind that blows across the country and to the Red Sea between March, April and May. This is what in Europe is called “scirocco”. The “khamseen” can occasionally become a real sandstorm, although it blows intermittently. Sun bathing is possible throughout the year, with the interminable blue skies, and very little cloudy days. Weather forecasts for the Red Sea Riviera invariably include clear skies, prevailing northern breezes, and sun, sun, sun! |