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The weather in Egypt is hot for much of the year, so most expats can leave the heavy winter gear at home. A warm jacket will still earn its place in the suitcase, though; winter evenings can turn surprisingly cold, and Egyptian buildings are rarely heated.
Egypt lies almost entirely within the Sahara belt, and most of the country is hot and dry year-round. The Mediterranean coast has the mildest conditions, more humidity, and the only regular rainfall in the country, and the Red Sea coast catches cooling sea breezes. Cairo and the Nile Delta fall somewhere in between, and Upper Egypt (Luxor and Aswan) is considered among the hottest inhabited places on Earth.
The blistering heat of summer (June to August) is slightly more tolerable in the coastal region, but the average maximum temperature in this area is still 86°F (30°C). Expats living inland will experience much hotter summer temperatures. In the warmest areas, such as Aswan and Luxor, 104°F (40°C) is standard. In winter, daytime temperatures fall back down to a more bearable 64°F (18°C) to 79°F (26°C), and this time of the year also brings rainfall to the coast.
One unique component of the weather in Egypt is the khamsin. This hot spring wind blows across northern Africa in episodes between March and May, and its Arabic name refers to the roughly 50-day season in which these events tend to cluster. High winds pick up sand and dust, which tend to irritate eyes and obscure visibility. Storms can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. These winds are largely responsible for the drastic temperature increases in some cities during this time of year. During the most intense episodes, the khamsin can push temperatures beyond 113°F (45°C), and health authorities treat these conditions as hazardous.
Expats should note that, typical of a desert climate, nighttime temperatures in Egypt can drop considerably despite the intensity of the heat during the day. This is especially true of mountainous areas, and expats should be sure to have some light but warm layers on hand. Egyptian buildings are designed to shed heat rather than retain it, so indoor spaces can feel colder than the thermometer suggests during the winter months.