Alexandria, an enchanting coastal city in Egypt, stands out not only for its historic allure but also for its distinctive weather patterns. The city is a popular tourist destination and a major industrial centre. By familiarising yourself with the weather conditions and seasonal patterns in Alexandria, you can optimise your travel experience and enjoy this historic city to its fullest.
Alexandria is located in the country of Egypt, on the southern coast of the Mediterranean. It is in the Far West Nile delta area. It is a densely populated city; its core areas belie its large administrative area.
Alexandria has a warm desert climate characterised by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
What Is The Weather In Alexandria Egypt? - Middle East Explorers
Seasonal Weather Overview
Here’s a detailed look at what you can expect throughout the year:
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- Spring (March to May): Spring in Alexandria is warm, with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 25°C.
- Summer (June to August): Summers are intense, with temperatures soaring to 31°C. However, the coastal breeze helps to moderate the heat. If visiting in summer, pack light, breathable fabrics.
- Autumn (September to November): Temperatures begin to drop, providing relief from the summer heat, averaging around 22°C.
- Winter (December to February): Winters are mild and wetter, with temperatures varying between 10°C and 19°C. Winter temperatures range between 10°C and 19°C. Although winter has more rainfall, it is generally light and usually doesn't disrupt travel plans.
Morning and evening tend to be cooler, especially during the transitional seasons.
Rainfall Patterns
While rainfall is scant, winter sees more rain, making it the wettest season in Alexandria. The wetter season lasts 3.5 months, from November 21 to March 4, with a greater than 6% chance of a given day being a wet day. The month with the most wet days in Alexandria is January, with an average of 3.5 days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation. The drier season lasts 8.5 months, from March 4 to November 21. The month with the fewest wet days in Alexandria is July, with an average of 0.0 days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation.
The rainy period of the year lasts for 2.6 months, from November 30 to February 16, with a sliding 31-day rainfall of at least 0.5 inches. The month with the most rain in Alexandria is December, with an average rainfall of 0.7 inches. The rainless period of the year lasts for 9.4 months, from February 16 to November 30. The month with the least rain in Alexandria is July, with an average rainfall of -0.0 inches.
Among wet days, we distinguish between those that experience rain alone, snow alone, or a mixture of the two. The month with the most days of rain alone in Alexandria is January, with an average of 3.5 days. Based on this categorization, the most common form of precipitation throughout the year is rain alone, with a peak probability of 12% on January 17.
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Temperature Variations
The hot season lasts for 4.1 months, from June 8 to October 11, with an average daily high temperature above 82°F. The hottest month of the year in Alexandria is August, with an average high of 86°F and low of 76°F. The cool season lasts for 3.2 months, from December 11 to March 18, with an average daily high temperature below 68°F. The coldest month of the year in Alexandria is January, with an average low of 50°F and high of 64°F.
July and August are the hottest and driest months of the year, with an average daily maximum temperature of 30 °C (86 °F).
The average hourly temperature, color coded into bands.
Optimal Visiting Time
The optimal time to visit Alexandria is during spring and autumn when the weather conditions are ideal and comfortable. By understanding the nuances of Alexandria weather, you can better plan your visit to this historic city.
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The tourism score favors clear, rainless days with perceived temperatures between 65°F and 80°F. Based on this score, the best times of year to visit Alexandria for general outdoor tourist activities are from late March to late June and from late September to late November, with a peak score in the first week of June.
The beach/pool score favors clear, rainless days with perceived temperatures between 75°F and 90°F. Based on this score, the best time of year to visit Alexandria for hot-weather activities is from early June to mid October, with a peak score in the last week of June.
Additional Factors
Like the rest of Egypt's northern coast, the prevailing north wind, blowing across the Mediterranean, gives the city a less severe climate than the desert hinterland.
Alexandria experiences violent storms, rain and sometimes sleet and hail during the cooler months; these events, combined with a poor drainage system, have been responsible for occasional flooding in the city in the past though they rarely occur anymore.
Climate Change Impact
Due to its location on a Nile river delta, Alexandria is one of the most vulnerable cities to sea level rise in the entire world. According to some estimates, hundreds of thousands of people in its low-lying areas may already have to be relocated before 2030.
The 2022 IPCC Sixth Assessment Report estimates that by 2050, Alexandria and 11 other major African cities would collectively sustain cumulative damages of US$65 billion for the "moderate" climate change scenario RCP 4.5 and US$86.5 billion for the high-emission scenario RCP 8.5, while RCP 8.5 combined with the hypothetical impact from marine ice sheet instability at high levels of warming would involve up to US$137.5 billion in damages. Additional accounting for the "low-probability, high-damage events" may increase aggregate risks to US$187 billion for the "moderate" RCP4.5, US$206 billion for RCP8.5 and US$397 billion under the high-end ice sheet instability scenario. In every single estimate, Alexandria alone bears around half of these costs.
Since sea level rise would continue for about 10,000 years under every scenario of climate change, future costs of sea level rise would only increase, especially without adaptation measures.
Historical Context
Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in April 331 BC as Ἀλεξάνδρεια (Alexandreia), as one of his many city foundations. After he captured the Egyptian Satrapy from the Persians, Alexander wanted to build a large Greek city on Egypt's coast that would bear his name. He chose the site of Alexandria, envisioning the building of a causeway to the nearby island of Pharos that would generate two great natural harbours.
Alexandria was intended to supersede the older Greek colony of Naucratis as a Hellenistic center in Egypt and to be the link between Greece and the rich Nile valley. After Alexander's departure, his viceroy Cleomenes continued the expansion. The architect Dinocrates of Rhodes designed the city, using a Hippodamian grid plan.
Following Alexander's death in 323 BC, his general Ptolemy Lagides took possession of Egypt and brought Alexander's body to Egypt with him. Ptolemy at first ruled from the old Egyptian capital of Memphis. In 322/321 BC he had Cleomenes executed. Although Cleomenes was mainly in charge of overseeing Alexandria's early development, the Heptastadion and the mainland quarters seem to have been primarily Ptolemaic work. Inheriting the trade of ruined Tyre and becoming the centre of the new commerce between Europe and the Arabian and Indian East, the city grew in less than a generation to be larger than Carthage.
In one century, Alexandria had become the largest city in the world and, for some centuries more, was second only to Rome. The Septuagint, a Greek version of the Tanakh, was produced there.
Throughout the late medieval period, Alexandria re-emerged as a major metropolis and the most important commercial port in Egypt and one of the most important in the Mediterranean. The jewish traveller Benjamin of Tudela even described it as “a trading market for all nations”.
Alexandria lost much of its importance in international trade after Portuguese navigators discovered a new sea route to India in the late 15th century. This reduced the amount of goods that needed to be transported through the Alexandrian port, as well as the Mamluks' political power.
Weather Averages for Alexandria
The table below provides a summary of average weather conditions in Alexandria throughout the year:
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) | Rainy Days | Sea Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18 | 10 | 8 | 18 |
| February | 18 | 10 | 6 | 17 |
| March | 20 | 11 | 3 | N/A |
| April | 23 | 13 | 1 | 18 |
| May | 27 | 17 | 0 | 21 |
| June | 29 | 21 | 0 | 24 |
| July | 30 | 23 | 0 | 26 |
| August | 31 | 23 | 0 | 27 |
| September | 30 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| October | 28 | N/A | 2 | 25 |
| November | 23 | 14 | 4 | 23 |
| December | 20 | 11 | 6 | 20 |
Whether you’re engrossed in the ancient ruins or enjoying a leisurely seaside day, knowing what to expect in terms of weather can enhance your overall experience. Enjoy the rich cultural heritage, visit ancient ruins, and indulge in seaside activities.
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