Egypt Forecast to Face Major Heatwave With High Humidity Starting Monday

Expected Conditions and Regional Impact

According to Dr. Iman Shaker, head of the Media Center at the General Authority of Meteorology, the upcoming weather event is the first heatwave of the current summer. While the country experienced temperature increases earlier in July, those were within normal seasonal averages. The heatwave is expected to persist through the beginning of the coming week. Dr. Mahmoud Al-Qayati, a member of the Media Center at the General Authority of Meteorology, stated that the country will experience hot and humid weather, particularly in the early morning and throughout the day. Coastal areas are expected to be hot and humid, while inland regions will face more intense heat. Temperatures are forecasted to reach highs of 41°C in many areas, with some governorates in Upper Egypt, specifically Luxor and Aswan, expected to see temperatures climb to 45°C.

The Role of Humidity and Geographical Factors

High humidity is a primary factor in the intensity of this summer’s heat. Dr. Manar Ghanem, deputy director of the Media Center, explained that when air masses pass over the Mediterranean Sea, they absorb large quantities of water vapor. This process leads to high humidity, which can make the temperature feel approximately 5°C higher than the actual recorded value. Humidity levels are expected to exceed 95% in Mediterranean coastal cities and surpass 85% in Greater Cairo and the Nile Delta. These conditions are driven by the influence of the Indian Monsoon depression. Experts note that this heat is a natural phenomenon occurring annually during July and August, characterized by increased solar intensity and rising moisture levels.

Safety Precautions and Weather Advisories

Authorities have urged citizens to take necessary precautions to mitigate the risks associated with the heat. Official recommendations include: * Avoiding direct exposure to sunlight during peak hours. * Consuming sufficient amounts of water and fluids. * Exercising caution while driving during early morning hours, as water mist (fog) is expected between 4:00 AM and 8:00 AM on roads leading to and from the north, Greater Cairo, the Canal cities, central Sinai, and northern Upper Egypt. Meteorologists also noted a slight chance of light rain in areas of Halayeb, Abu Simbel, and the far south of the Western Desert. Winds originating from northern Sudan may cause blowing sand and dust in these regions, potentially reducing horizontal visibility.

Context Regarding Heat Phenomena

In response to public inquiries regarding “heat domes,officials clarified that Egypt is currently positioned in a geographic formation known as anOmega shape,” which leaves the country less impacted than other regions. Currently, the most intense heat domes are centered over Western Africa, the Maghreb countries, and the Arabian Gulf, where temperatures are reaching 47°C to 50°C. For comparison, recent data from the National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued orange alerts for several provinces in the Eastern Region, where temperatures are expected to reach between 49°C and 50°C during peak hours.