This winter could be the coldest in years, climate center says

CAIRO – 7 January 2026: Mohamed Ali Fahim, head of the Climate Change Information Center at the Agricultural Research Center, announced the start of the "White Nights" period, part of the 40-day winter season that extends until Jan. 12.

This coincides with the final days of the month of Kiahk and the preparations for the month of Tuba, known for its harsh cold.

Fahim warned that this winter could be the harshest and coldest compared to previous years, requiring concerted efforts and adherence to precise agricultural guidelines to avoid losses.

The head of the climate center explained that the coming period will witness a sharp drop in temperatures, both day and night, with a high probability of frost, especially in desert areas and the desert hinterland of central Egyptian governorates.

He pointed out that although there is currently no chance of rain, the high humidity levels and the dense fog at dawn create a fertile environment for the spread of fungal diseases that threaten crop health.

Fahim emphasized the necessity of implementing a set of urgent agricultural interventions, including:

-   Supporting wheat and flax by intensifying the use of high-phosphorus fertilizers (MAP or phosphoric acid) to promote tillering without stress.

-  Using potassium nitrate with boron on tuber crops to support the natural sizing of winter potatoes, beets, garlic and onions.

-   Preventing diseases and immediately initiating preventative spraying against blight in tomatoes and potatoes, leaf spots in broad beans, and purple blotch in onions and garlic in Upper Egypt governorates, while monitoring for the appearance of yellow rust in wheat fields.

Regarding greenhouses and tunnels, Fahim directed that they be tightly covered at night with controlled ventilation during the day, and that balanced irrigation with fulvic and high-phosphorus fertilizers be used.

In the fruit sector, he strongly cautioned against the premature use of dormancy-breaking agents on grapes and fallen fruit, emphasizing that late cold spells can lead to reduced fertility and disrupted bud formation.

He also advised mango farmers to adhere to the established dates for pruning flower clusters and to avoid handling young buds that have not yet reached 1 centimeter in length.

Fahim concluded his remarks by affirming that the center is closely monitoring climate changes to provide farmers with the necessary technical support, urging everyone to exercise caution and take the current cold wave seriously to ensure Egypt's food security.