Weather in Cairo and Hurghada by Season, When It Is Best to Move

Cairo and Hurghada climate in brief

Both Cairo and Hurghada lie in the desert: there is almost no rain, the sun shines nearly every day, and the difference between summer and winter is large. Cairo gets only about 25 mm of rain a year, Hurghada less than 10 mm.

Cairo sits in the Nile Valley, far from the sea, and in summer it can be muggy, especially in August. Hurghada is on the Red Sea coast, the air there is drier and a northerly wind blows almost all year, so the heat is easier to bear.

Summer, from May to September

In Cairo in July and August the average daytime temperature is about 35 degrees, with about 24 at night. During heatwaves it gets hotter: in July 2026 the Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) reported 40 degrees in Greater Cairo, which felt like 42 with the humidity.

In Hurghada summer days average about 37 degrees, nights about 28, and the sea warms up to 27 or 28 degrees. The dry air and sea breeze are easier to bear than Cairo's stuffiness, but the sun is very strong.

• Run errands in the morning or evening, and stay in the shade or indoors during the hottest hours.
• Drink water throughout the day and wear a hat.
• Sunscreen and sunglasses are needed every day, not only at the beach.
• Do not leave your phone, medicines or water bottles in a car in the sun.

Winter, from December to February

In winter Cairo is about 19 or 20 degrees by day and about 10 at night, sometimes colder. The main problem is not outdoors but at home: there is no central heating, floors are often stone and windows are draughty, so in the evening it can be colder inside than outside during the day.

Winter is when it occasionally rains in Cairo. There is not much rain, but after a heavy downpour streets can flood and traffic gets even worse.

In Hurghada winter days are about 22 or 23 degrees, nights about 12, and the sea is about 21 or 22 degrees. You can walk around in a T-shirt during the day, but evenings are cool with the wind.

• A warm blanket, a throw, warm socks and house slippers.
• A heater or an air conditioner with a heating mode.
• A light jacket or hoodie for the evenings.

Spring, the khamsin and dust storms

From March to May Egypt gets the khamsin, a hot, dry wind from the desert. The name means «fifty» in Arabic: it is said to blow on and off for about fifty spring days. It usually lasts a few hours and brings sand and dust, the temperature can jump by ten degrees or more within a couple of hours, and visibility drops.

• Close the windows and the balcony door, and block gaps with a damp towel.
• Outdoors, cover your nose and mouth with a mask or scarf and wear glasses, especially if you have asthma or allergies.
• Follow EMA warnings in the news and do not plan desert trips or boat outings on such days.
• After a storm, wipe the outdoor AC unit and clean the filters.

The best time to move

The most comfortable months in Cairo are October and November, as well as March and April: 24 to 30 degrees by day and fresh at night, although spring can bring the khamsin. This is the easiest time to look for housing, walk around neighbourhoods and settle in.

For Al-Azhar students the timing is usually set by their studies, but if you have a choice, try not to arrive in July or August: flat hunting and queuing for documents are especially hard in the heat.

One more seasonal detail. Since 2023 Egypt has been changing its clocks again: one hour forward on the last Friday of April and one hour back on the last Thursday of October. In 2026 the clocks go back on the night before 30 October.

Air conditioning you cannot do without

In summer an apartment without air conditioning is hard to live in, especially on the upper floors. When renting, switch on each unit and make sure it cools, and ask whether it has a heating mode for winter.

Air conditioners noticeably raise the electricity bill. Set them to about 25 degrees, close the curtains during the day and clean the filters every few weeks. At night a fan is often enough.

What to bring

Almost everything can be bought locally, but some things are handier to bring with you or buy in the first days:

• Light cotton and linen clothes that cover the shoulders and knees.
• A hat, sunglasses and high SPF sunscreen.
• Warm things for winter: a sweater, a light jacket, warm socks and slippers.
• A reusable water bottle.
• A mask or scarf for the spring dust.
• Your usual medicines if you have allergies or asthma.

How Tullab helps you settle in

Look for a used air conditioner, fan or heater in air conditioners and fans, where you can also sell appliances before you leave. Choosing where to live? Read our guides to Cairo districts and life in Hurghada.

Want to sell appliances or warm clothes? Post a free listing, it takes a couple of minutes.