The plans of most people planning a trip to Egypt depend on the weather at the resorts of this African country. Days devoted to relaxation or a business event should not be too sunny or rainy. Especially undesirable combination of heat with high humidity. It is very good to go to Egypt in the winter. The weather in January is usually mild. Usually the air is heated to +20 ° C, only nights can be cool.
New Year and Christmas peak of visits to Egypt
The resort towns of Egypt are very popular in the winter months. Russian tourists and residents of those Eastern European countries come here in December – February, where cold is raging at that time, and cold, slushy weather reigns. Daytime air temperature in the north of the African continent in December – February rarely drops below +20 ° C, cooler at night (+10 ° C). Weather in winter in Egypt is suitable for beach and other types of recreation.
The main preferences of tourists:
- Holidays in the resorts of the Red Sea and the Sinai Peninsula;
- sightseeing of world famous sights in the desert regions south and west of Cairo;
- Nile Blue Ribbon Cruises
- visiting the cities of Aswan, Luxor.
Climatic contrasts of Egypt. Mediterranean coast
You should not focus on the average temperature in the whole country for those who first decided to visit Egypt. The weather in January on the Mediterranean coast is significantly different from that prevailing in the inland desert regions. The strip of land in the north, where the cities of Alexandria and Port Said are located, is located in the subtropical climate zone. Summer days are sunny, but not so hot, winters are relatively warm and humid. This climate is often called the "eternal spring."
Egyptian resorts allow swimming during almost all calendar months, only for young children and elderly tourists the winter sea sometimes does not seem warm enough. Water heats up to +21 (temperature in January). In Egypt, off the coast of Alexandria and other Mediterranean resorts, the swimming season begins in the spring and lasts until October. The average January temperature on the north coast is +18 ° C.
Weather in the winter in the Red Sea
The main resort area of Egypt is located on the shores of the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, in the southeast of the Sinai Peninsula. These areas, as well as the entire southern and central parts of the country, are located in the tropical climate zone. It is characterized by high summer temperatures, warm weather in winter. Egypt in January provides good prospects for interesting dives to the bottom of the Red Sea. Fans of diving and snorkeling have long chosen the local coral reefs for their underwater excursions. In winter, water is cleaner and more transparent, all the riches of the underwater world are in full view.
Some January days may be cool, but there are few, and there is no such winter as in temperate latitudes in Egypt. Heavy rains and snow are a rare occurrence, and the total amount of moisture is only 100–250 mm per year. In the tropics, it is difficult to distinguish four seasons, so they often talk about two seasons: hot and dry, cool and relatively humid. The first starts in April and lasts until November. Then the flow of air masses changes, the long-awaited cool comes, more precipitation falls. January is the rainiest month of the year, especially on the north coast of the country (2-3 rains during the month).
Weather in Egypt. December, January is a great time to travel on vacation.
In anticipation of the Catholic Christmas and New Year, the demand for tours to Egypt is growing. After the New Year holidays, its decline is observed until April. The low season begins at the end of November, but lasts less than one month. In winter, in addition to relaxing on the coast, excursions to the sights of the cradle of the civilization of the pharaohs are popular. The flow of tourists who are heading to the cities of Cairo and Luxor, to the pyramids on the Giza plateau, is increasing.
Experienced tourists in January take the opportunity to visit attractions in the Sahara and Upper Egypt, where in the summer it is quite hot. January is warm in Aswan in the south - almost +24 ° C. Desert air is heated in winter to +25 ° C. Climatic contrasts are especially felt when during the day you can walk in the same T-shirt, and at night you can enjoy a warm blanket, because the window is only + 10 ° C.
Egypt: January weather, desert winds
One of the unpleasant features of winter in Egypt is sandstorms. They come from the interior of the Sahara, where in January at night the temperature is around 0 ° C. The sandstorm season begins in late autumn and lasts all winter. For guests arriving in Egypt, the weather in January may seem uncomfortable for relaxing due to the coolness that the wind brings (+17 ° C). But as soon as the sun comes out, it again becomes warm (up to +28 ° C).
The season of winds manifests its negative impact in Hurghada and is less felt in the resorts of the Sinai Peninsula, because Dahab and Sharm el-Sheikh are protected by a water strip of the Suez Canal and mountain peaks.
Features of tourist seasons in Egypt
Prices for hotel accommodation, for excursion services are sensitive to indicators such as an increase or decrease in tourist flow to the country. In Egypt, the weather and climate have a direct impact on the preferences of foreign and local guests. Almost throughout the country, the period from December to February, inclusive, is the high season, from June to August, it is low. These fluctuations are less reflected in visits to the eastern part and Cairo. The Alexandrian coast and the Red Sea resorts were chosen not only by guests from the northern countries of Europe. Locals and Arabs living in the Persian Gulf basin prefer to spend their summer holidays here.
Weather in winter in Egypt sometimes presents unpleasant surprises. Cairo has cold evenings, and it can be cloudy during the day. On the Mediterranean coast, rains can charge. The beaches of the Sinai Peninsula in January do not seem as welcoming as in the velvet season. The best way is to spend the New Year holidays in Egypt, and then come again in the fall.