Rare Snowfall History in Cairo, Egypt

Dec 08, 2025 0

Egypt, a country famed for its deserts, sun, and ancient monuments, experiences a unique weather phenomenon in its higher altitudes. While snow is an exceptionally unusual occurrence in most parts of the country, particularly in Cairo, it's not entirely unheard of. Let's delve into the history of snowfall in Egypt, focusing on the rare events in Cairo and the snow-prone region of Saint Catherine.

Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

Egypt's Geography and Climate

Egypt is located in the northeast corner of Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula extending into Asia. It shares borders with Sudan to the south, Libya to the west, and Israel and the Gaza Strip (Palestine) to the northeast. The Nile River crosses the desert from south to north, forming a narrow valley and a large delta at its mouth into the Mediterranean. These fertile lands are densely populated and home to the fourth-largest national population in Africa.

Nearly half of Egyptians reside in urban areas, particularly in the densely populated centers of their capital, Cairo, and Alexandria. In most of the territory, the climate is desert-like with limited rainfall and cold nights and very hot days. The Mediterranean climate predominates on the north coast and the delta, with an average rainfall of 18 mm.

The Historic Snowfall of 2013 in Cairo

In 2013, a record snowfall event struck the Middle East, bringing the first snowfall to Cairo, Egypt’s capital, in 112 years. On December 13, Cairo witnessed extremely rare snowfall (mostly graupel), which the local media claimed to be the first in 112 years. Light snow fell across parts of Cairo and northern Egypt during an exceptional cold wave. This rare event covered the Sinai Desert with a layer of snow, accompanied by strong cold winds that persisted for hours, creating challenges in a country not accustomed to this type of weather phenomenon. Nighttime temperatures were expected to drop as low as 2 °C (36 °F).

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Ali Abdelazim, an official at the city's meteorological center, confirmed that this was the "first time in very many years" that snow had fallen in the Cairo area. Images of snow-dusted pyramids, the Sphinx with a white backdrop, and surprised Cairenes building snowmen flooded social media.

While exciting and historic, the Cairo snow was light and melted within hours without significant accumulation. It was more spectacle than substantial winter weather. The 2013 Cairo snow event did produce photographs of lightly snow-dusted pyramids, but this was an exceptional occurrence unlikely to repeat in your lifetime.

This cold snap coincided with a snowstorm in Jerusalem, which paralyzed the city. On 13 December, 40-70 cm (16-28 in) of snow fell in Jerusalem and 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in the Kefar Etzion area. Snow in Ramallah, Nablus, and Hebron ranged from 60-145 cm (24-57 in), and in Bethlehem ranged from 20-55 cm (7.9-21.7 in). Roads were closed in Israel by deep snow and flooding. Warmer parts of Israel received heavy rains, causing floods.

Snow in Cairo in 2013

Saint Catherine: Egypt's Snow-Prone Region

While snow in Cairo is a rare event, snowfall is more common in the Saint Catherine area. Saint Catherine is a city located in the South Sinai Governorate of Egypt, at the base of Mount Sinai. The city lies at an elevation of 1,586 meters (5,203 ft) above sea level. Saint Catherine experiences the coolest nights among Egyptian cities, with notably low humidity. Surrounded by the highest mountain ranges in Egypt, the city is surrounded by numerous smaller valleys leading from the basin towards the mountains in all directions. At times, nights can become very cold, creating the need for heating in buildings and public spaces.

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Saint Catherine, along with Nekhel and other mountainous areas of the Sinai, is considered one of the coldest cities in Egypt. The city of Saint Catherine is located at the base of the Sinai mountain region, known as the “roof of Egypt”, home to the country’s highest mountains.

The highest peak in Egypt is Mount Catherine or Jabal Katherina, and its summit and slopes receive the most snow in the country. There are many other peaks in the surrounding area that exceed 2,000 m (6,600 ft). Mount Catherine can be accessed via Wadi El Arbain or Wadi Shaq, and each route requires a full-day hike.

December marks the beginning of Egypt’s snow season in the Sinai mountains. January is Egypt’s coldest month nationwide and the most reliable period for Saint Catherine snow. Early February can still bring snow to Saint Catherine as winter patterns persist. Realistically, only Saint Catherine offers realistic snow-viewing opportunities.

Reliability factor: If you visit Saint Catherine in January, you have approximately a 30-40% chance of seeing some snow during your stay.

Indoor Skiing in Egypt

Yes! There are two small indoor ski areas in the region of Cairo, the capital and largest city of Egypt, the Middle East and the Arab world.

Ski Egypt

Africa’s first indoor ski resort and snow park, located in 6th of October City, just 31 kilometers from Cairo, presents a unique experience. With around 7,000 tons of real snow and sub-zero temperatures, this facility offers a variety of activities for visitors. The Snow Park has various activities: a snow theme park and ski and snowboard slopes.

Temperature controlled between -2°C and -4°C, guests can relax with hot chocolate at charming cafes overlooking the snow park, such as the Snowflake Cafe. Considered Egypt’s premier winter sports destination, the 210-meter slope accommodates skiers and snowboarders of all levels, including freestyle modules.

Ski Egypt ski school offers various ski classes for individuals, groups of adults and groups of children. With trained instructors, they cater to all levels of skiing, with the goal of instructing beginners and perfecting the technique of more experienced skiers. By emphasizing a pleasant learning environment, participants can anticipate that they will gain the skills to confidently maneuver on Ski Egypt’s main slope after several lessons.

Snow City

Snow City, located in the center of Cairo, is a snow theme park managed by the same company that runs a similar establishment in Saudi Arabia. Covering more than 6,000 square meters, the park caters to people of all ages and offers diverse experiences. Visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant and stimulating universe of snow, participate in exciting adventures, witness fascinating laser and music shows and delight in the winter atmosphere.

Planning a Winter Trip to Egypt

Winter (October-March) is considered the best time to visit Egypt for most travelers. Advantages include comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities (18-25°C), clear skies perfect for photography, reduced heat stress when exploring temples and monuments, and a vibrant cultural atmosphere as Egyptians embrace outdoor life.

Even if you don’t catch snow, winter is one of the best times to visit Egypt. A winter Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan is one of the most serene travel experiences imaginable. Cool evenings invite romantic deck dinners and golden sunsets over ancient temples.

Winter is perfect for camping and safaris in the White Desert, Bahariya Oasis, or Siwa. For travelers craving warmth, Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh remain sunny even in December. Diving and snorkeling conditions stay ideal, with water temperatures around 22°C (72°F).

If visiting Egypt in December, hoping to see snow, you must specifically travel to Saint Catherine.

What to Pack for Winter in Egypt:

For Cairo, Luxor, and Alexandria: Light jacket or fleece for mornings/evenings, long-sleeve shirts, comfortable walking shoes, scarf, sunglasses.
For Saint Catherine/Sinai mountains: Insulated winter jacket, thermal layers, warm hat, gloves, sturdy boots, warm socks.

Egypt’s winter season offers incredible diversity, from Mediterranean coastal chill to desert warmth to mountain cold.