Meteorological Authority reports marginal cooling, but intense humidity and high winds keep conditions harsh across most of the country
After weeks of relentless, suffocating heat, Egyptians finally got a hint of relief on Tuesday—though only just. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) confirmed a slight drop in daytime temperatures, but stopped short of promising any real comfort. The heat is still very much here, just a notch less punishing.
Across Cairo and much of the Nile Valley, the air remained thick with humidity, clinging to skin and squeezing patience out of daily life. But compared to last week’s blistering highs, today felt a touch more tolerable. A whisper of wind offered temporary comfort, especially in coastal cities like Alexandria and Marsa Matrouh.
Coastal Cities Catch a Break—Sort Of
Northern coastal towns such as Alamein and Alexandria experienced somewhat milder conditions. The combination of sea breeze and wind activity nudged the heat index down just enough to notice—though “comfortable” might be a stretch.
Wind speeds increased across several coastal regions, the EMA said, with gusts strong enough to churn up waves between 1.5 to 2.25 meters high in parts of the Mediterranean.
That meant:
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Surf was rough in Marsa Matrouh
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Breezes helped ease humidity slightly in Alexandria
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Alamein saw moderate coastal winds, offering short-lived comfort in the evenings
Still, with high humidity levels stubbornly hanging on, even the breeze felt warm.
Western Desert Faces Dusty Disturbances
Inland, it was a different story. Winds sweeping through parts of Lower Egypt and the Western Desert stirred up sand and dust. Travelers reported reduced visibility in some stretches of road leading out of Fayoum and into desert areas closer to Bahariya Oasis.
The EMA warned that windborne dust could briefly disrupt traffic and irritate respiratory conditions. For rural farmers and desert commuters, it was an added nuisance layered onto an already punishing summer.
One Cairo-based trucker who had just returned from a delivery to Minya said, “The wind’s not cool. It’s hot and dry, and the dust gets in your mouth even with a scarf. This isn’t the kind of breeze we wait for.”
Heat Lingers Into the Night
While the sun’s intensity softened a little, the heat didn’t pack up and leave after sunset. Nighttime temperatures remained relatively high, especially in Upper Egypt and the capital. Cairo residents stepped out onto balconies late at night in search of a breeze but found little comfort. Even fans seemed to just shuffle hot air around.
In cities like Sohag and Qena, nighttime heat continued to be oppressive. With AC units overworked and electricity demand peaking, rolling blackouts remained a concern—though none were officially announced on Tuesday.
Just one sentence here to make it feel more real.
And in the early morning hours, the humidity makes sure no one wakes up refreshed.
Unusual Showers in the South
Halayeb City, located on Egypt’s southeastern tip near the border with Sudan, saw an unexpected weather twist. Light and intermittent rainfall was recorded in the area—a rare sight for this time of year.
Rain this time of year doesn’t usually happen there. So even brief showers made headlines in local outlets.
There’s no flood risk reported yet, but officials are keeping an eye on it.
Heat Index Still High: Here’s What to Expect Next
Despite today’s slight dip in temperature, EMA meteorologists say Egyptians shouldn’t expect a lasting cool-off. The heatwave may be losing steam, but humidity levels will keep real-feel temperatures high across most of the country for the rest of the week.
Here’s a quick regional outlook for the coming days:
| Region | Daytime Feel | Humidity Impact | Wind Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Cairo | Still Very Hot | Very High | Light to Moderate Gusts |
| Northern Coasts | Hot | High | Active, Wave Risk |
| Upper Egypt | Blistering | Moderate | Risk of Dust Storms |
| Western Desert | Dry Heat | Low | Dusty, Poor Visibility |
| Sinai and Red Sea | Hot | High | Variable |
That means sweat-soaked shirts and sleepless nights aren’t going away just yet.
Locals Adapt, but Frustrations Simmer
Street vendors in Giza now keep umbrellas clipped to their carts. Rooftop water tanks are drying faster than usual, and cold drinks are flying off convenience store shelves. At a juice stall in Shubra, one seller said, “Even watermelon doesn’t help anymore.”
Public anger has also started to bubble up online. Social media is full of memes, complaints, and sarcastic takes on the “slight drop” in temperature, with many accusing the government of downplaying the severity of the weather to avoid triggering unrest.
For now, all people can do is wait. The fans whir. The air conditioners hum. And across Egypt, millions hope this brief breather from the heat isn’t just a mirage.
