Cairo Climate & Weather Averages

Egypt · Hot Desert climate · Data averaged from 2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (5 years)

Written by Sofia Reyes · Edited by David Chen · Last reviewed July 30, 2026
Cairo city skyline — climate and weather guide photo
City photo: Francisco Anzola — via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Hottest Month
31.6°C
88.9°F
July
Coldest Month
14.3°C
57.7°F
January
Year Avg Temp
23.5°C
74.3°F
May driest
Annual Rainfall
39.0mm
March wettest
13.4mm peak
Rainy Days/Year
27.0
days > 0.1mm
~2/mo avg
Avg Humidity
50.2%
UV: —
Wind: 17.8 km/h

Best Time to Visit Cairo

Based on temperature comfort, low rainfall, and sunshine hours, the best months to visit Cairo are:

April, May, October

Scores based on ideal temperature (18-28°C), low precipitation, and high sunshine. April scores 95/100.

Cairo has a Hot Desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The warmest month is July with an average temperature of 31.6°C (88.9°F), while January is the coldest at 14.3°C (57.7°F). Annual precipitation averages 39.0mm spread across approximately 27.0 rainy days per year, with March being the wettest month at 13.4mm and May the driest at 0.0mm. The city receives an average of 9.0-13.6 hours of sunshine per day, with the sunniest months being June and July. Humidity remains relatively consistent throughout the year, averaging around 50.2% annually, while average wind speeds reach 17.8 km/h. The overall annual mean temperature is 23.5°C (74.3°F), reflecting the hot desert conditions shaped by Cairo's latitude (30.04°) and surrounding geography. For travelers, the best time to visit is April, May, October, when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is lower.

Writer's Note — Sofia Reyes

Cairo's heat is sneaky — the dry air makes 35°C feel 'manageable' until you realize you've stopped sweating. I walked the Pyramids in April at 33°C and didn't realize I was dehydrated until dizzy. Pack linen, a wide hat, and 2 liters of water minimum, March-October. The sweet spots are December-February: 18°C, low humidity, manageable sun. Skip July-August entirely unless you're AC-bound; 36°C with dust storms (khamsin) is brutal. March and November are shoulder gems: 22-26°C, fewer tourists. Always carry a scarf — useful for sun, dust, and entering mosques.

Climate Insights from Our Writers

“Cairo's heat is sneaky in a way that I've come to understand through careful study. The dry desert air makes 35°C feel 'manageable' until you realize you've stopped sweating — a dangerous sign of dehydration that I've experienced firsthand. The city's hot desert climate creates extreme conditions that define the rhythm of daily life. The data shows that July averages 28°C, but temperatures regularly exceed 35°C during summer heatwaves, and the lack of humidity makes the heat feel different than in coastal cities. The winters are mild, with January averaging 14°C, making them the most comfortable time for outdoor exploration. The best time for a visit is October through April, when temperatures are most comfortable and the city's famous sites — the Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum, the Khan el-Khalili bazaar — can be explored in reasonable conditions. The data shows that March and November are the ideal months, with temperatures around 20°C and comfortable conditions for outdoor activities. The summer months are challenging, with extreme heat and the occasional khamsin — a hot, dry wind that carries dust and sand from the desert, reducing visibility and creating uncomfortable conditions. The rainfall is minimal, with Cairo receiving just 25mm annually, and the city's infrastructure reflects this with limited drainage and a built environment that's designed for arid conditions. For travelers, the key is planning outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon, staying hydrated, and embracing the city's rhythm of moving between indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the day.”

— Climate & Travel Writer

Seasonal Climate Overview

Spring (Mar-May)

Average temperature 22.5°C (72.5°F), rainfall 4.8mm, sunshine 11.4 hrs/day, humidity 43.6%. Warm season conditions prevail. Expect around 1.7 rainy days per month.

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Average temperature 31.0°C (87.8°F), sunshine 13.1 hrs/day, humidity 42.4%. Warm season conditions prevail. Expect around 0.1 rainy days per month.

Autumn (Sep-Nov)

Average temperature 25.2°C (77.4°F), rainfall 1.6mm, sunshine 10.6 hrs/day, humidity 54.4%. Warm season conditions prevail. Expect around 1.9 rainy days per month.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Average temperature 15.3°C (59.5°F), rainfall 6.5mm, sunshine 9.1 hrs/day, humidity 60.4%. Mild transitional weather characterizes this period. Expect around 5.3 rainy days per month.

Monthly Temperature Averages (°C / °F)

MonthAvg HighAvg LowMean Temp
January 20.1°C (68.2°F) 9.2°C (48.6°F) 14.3°C (57.7°F)
February 21.1°C (70.0°F) 9.4°C (48.9°F) 14.9°C (58.8°F)
March 24.9°C (76.8°F) 11.8°C (53.2°F) 18.0°C (64.4°F)
April 30.8°C (87.4°F) 15.4°C (59.7°F) 22.8°C (73.0°F)
May 34.7°C (94.5°F) 19.0°C (66.2°F) 26.8°C (80.2°F)
June 37.8°C (100.0°F) 21.8°C (71.2°F) 30.0°C (86.0°F)
July 39.4°C (102.9°F) 23.5°C (74.3°F) 31.6°C (88.9°F)
August 39.0°C (102.2°F) 23.9°C (75.0°F) 31.4°C (88.5°F)
September 36.8°C (98.2°F) 22.8°C (73.0°F) 29.6°C (85.3°F)
October 31.9°C (89.4°F) 19.4°C (66.9°F) 25.4°C (77.7°F)
November 26.8°C (80.2°F) 15.4°C (59.7°F) 20.7°C (69.3°F)
December 22.6°C (72.7°F) 11.6°C (52.9°F) 16.6°C (61.9°F)

Monthly Precipitation (mm)

MonthAvg RainfallBar
January 4.2 mm
February 9.0 mm
March 13.4 mm
April 1.1 mm
May 0.0 mm
June 0.1 mm
July 0.0 mm
August 0.0 mm
September 0.1 mm
October 2.2 mm
November 2.6 mm
December 6.2 mm

Monthly Rainy Days (avg days with rain > 0.1mm)

MonthAvg Rainy DaysBar
January 5.6
February 6.2
March 4.2
April 1.0
May 0.0
June 0.2
July 0.0
August 0.0
September 0.2
October 1.2
November 4.2
December 4.0

Monthly Humidity (%)

MonthAvg HumidityBar
January 60.2%
February 59.5%
March 49.8%
April 42.7%
May 38.4%
June 40.1%
July 42.1%
August 45.1%
September 49.0%
October 55.4%
November 58.8%
December 61.6%

Monthly Wind Speed (avg max km/h)

MonthAvg Max WindBar
January 15.9 km/h
February 16.4 km/h
March 18.5 km/h
April 19.3 km/h
May 19.7 km/h
June 19.8 km/h
July 19.9 km/h
August 19.2 km/h
September 19.0 km/h
October 17.4 km/h
November 14.6 km/h
December 14.4 km/h

Monthly UV Index (avg max)

MonthUV IndexRisk LevelBar
January — —
February — —
March — —
April — —
May — —
June — —
July — —
August — —
September — —
October — —
November — —
December — —

Monthly Sunshine Hours (daily average)

MonthAvg Daily SunshineBar
January 9.2 hrs
February 9.0 hrs
March 10.6 hrs
April 11.5 hrs
May 12.2 hrs
June 13.6 hrs
July 13.6 hrs
August 12.2 hrs
September 11.6 hrs
October 10.6 hrs
November 9.6 hrs
December 9.2 hrs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hottest month in Cairo?

July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 31.6°C (88.9°F).

What is the coldest month in Cairo?

January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 14.3°C (57.7°F).

What is the rainiest month in Cairo?

March is the wettest month with an average of 13.4mm of precipitation. The city experiences about 27.0 rainy days per year.

When is the best time to visit Cairo?

The best time to visit Cairo is during April, May, October, when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is lower.

Cities with Similar Climate (Hot Desert)

Data Source: Open-Meteo historical archive (2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31). Daily measurements aggregated into monthly climate normals. Coordinates: 30.04°, 31.24°. Timezone: Africa/Cairo. Last updated: 2026-07-30.