The weather forecast for Egypt is generally stable during the coming days, but the possibility of heavy rains that may cause flash floods in some regions, especially central Sinai, the Gulf of Aqaba and parts of the Red Sea Governorate, has been warned by a weather forecaster.
The country will see weather conditions varying from thunderstorms, strong winds, dust and morning fog, to relatively high daytime temperatures and cooler nights, said Dr. Manar Ghanem, forecaster at the Forecasting and Early Warning Center of Egypt’s General Authority for Meteorology.
Ghanem told the TV programme Good Morning Egypt that the Red Sea depression, or the seasonal Sudanese depression, was affecting the weather pattern, which helps the formation of rain clouds that sometimes lead to thunderstorms. An upper level low is also impacting parts of western Egypt.
Flash Flood Risk in Sinai and Red Sea Areas
The best prospects for precipitation are in Sinai, the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea Governorate where heavy rain may be sufficient to trigger flash flooding, especially in central Sinai and mountainous regions.
Other areas that may experience heavy rainfall are Halayeb, Shalateen, Marsa Alam and parts of the southern Eastern Desert.
The mountainous landscape in these areas can cause water to run off faster during heavy rains, which can lead to flash floods, Ghanem said. She advised the people to keep an eye on official weather forecasts and take safety measures as directed by the competent authorities.
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There is also a possibility of light rain along the Mediterranean coast, in the northern Delta and in parts of Lower Egypt. Moderate rainfall is possible in the Matrouh desert with thunderstorms in some areas.
Light rain is also possible in parts of southern Lower Egypt and the Canal cities, with showers possibly reaching some parts of Greater Cairo. But most parts of the capital will not be affected by rainfall.
Cairo’s temperature hits 30°C while Southern Egypt records 36°C
Ghanem said temperatures are still relatively high for this time of year, about 1-2 degrees Celsius above seasonal averages.
The temperature in Greater Cairo is forecast to be around 30°C during the day, with Luxor and Aswan seeing a high of 35°C to 36°C, which will be noticeably hot in southern Egypt.
However, nights and early mornings will be much cooler. Greater Cairo is expected to experience minimum temperatures of 19°C to 20°C, with some new urban communities and northern regions expected to be around 16°C to 17°C.
Ghanem said the significant gap between day and night temperatures should be a warning for people to dress properly, especially children who go to school early in the morning.
When is the right time for Egyptians to wear winter clothes?
Ghanem said that although the nights are cooler, people should not change completely to heavy winter clothes.
She advised wearing a light jacket in the early mornings and at night when it’s cooler, and lighter clothes during the warmer parts of the day.
The temperature is expected to drop towards the end of the week, with daytime highs in Greater Cairo expected to be around 26°C to 27°C, while minimum temperatures may reach 16°C to 17°C in some areas.
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The outlook indicates that cooler weather will start to be more apparent, but the current weather pattern is more typical of autumn than winter.
Sand and dust may be stirred up by strong winds
During the next two days, windy conditions are forecast, especially in the exposed parts of western Egypt, Matrouh desert and northwestern coast.
The winds may cause sand and dust to be raised, which may affect visibility in the affected areas, Ghanem said. Wind activity will persist on Wednesday and Thursday with some coastal areas still seeing the possibility of rain.
People living in exposed and dusty areas should keep an eye on local forecasts, especially when driving, as wind shifts and visibility may be impacted, which could impact road safety.
Morning Fog Can Be Hazardous to Drivers
Another weather hazard that is anticipated during the current period is water fog, especially on agricultural roads, highways and routes close to water bodies.
Fog forms in the early morning and can last into the morning, Ghanem said. Some areas may have lower than normal horizontal visibility, which may make driving conditions hazardous.
Drivers have been urged to slow down, keep a distance from other vehicles, turn on fog lights if needed and obey traffic safety guidelines.
Ghanem also emphasized the need to follow the daily weather forecasts, especially for residents of areas prone to heavy rain, flash floods, strong winds and thick morning fog.
The outlook suggests a mixed autumnal weather pattern in Egypt, with relatively warm afternoons and cooler nights, with localised rain and visibility hazards being the primary concern in the next few days.
