Egypt warns of rapid weather swings as windy, rainy conditions expected

CAIRO - 12 January 2026: Egypt’s Climate Change Information Center at the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation has issued an urgent warning over sharp and rapid weather fluctuations expected to affect the country during the so-called “White Nights” of the Coptic month of Tuba, particularly on Monday and Tuesday nights.

In a statement issued by the center, headed by Dr Mohamed Ali Fahim, the expected weather was described as a mix of extremes, with bitterly cold conditions at dawn, relatively mild daytime temperatures, strong winds, and varying chances of rainfall across several regions.

According to the weather outlook, Egypt’s northern coasts and the northern Nile Delta are expected to experience moderate rainfall that may become heavy and occasionally thunderous, with a possibility of hail. Light to moderate rain is also forecast over southern parts of the Delta, while lighter showers may extend to central Sinai and the Canal cities. There is also a weak chance of rainfall reaching parts of Greater Cairo on Monday evening, estimated at around 20 percent.

The statement warned of strong winds ranging between 40 and 55 kilometres per hour nationwide, which could raise dust and sand in exposed areas and cause severe disruption to maritime navigation in the Mediterranean Sea. Wave heights may reach up to 5.5 metres, prompting calls to suspend all maritime activities during the peak of the weather disturbance.

The Climate Change Information Center urged citizens to exercise extreme caution during this period. Safety recommendations include wearing heavy winter clothing, particularly late at night and in the early morning hours, avoiding standing near billboards, trees, or unstable buildings during strong winds, and exercising caution while driving on highways due to reduced visibility caused by fog or rainfall.

The warning also included an urgent set of guidelines for farmers aimed at reducing potential agricultural losses, especially with the possibility of frost formation early Tuesday morning in parts of northern Upper Egypt, central Sinai, and desert hinterlands. Farmers were advised to postpone irrigation operations in the Delta and Lower Egypt until rainfall conditions stabilise, firmly secure greenhouses, tunnels, and plastic covers against strong winds, and immediately halt pesticide spraying or foliar fertilisation during windy periods.

In addition, the center recommended spraying cold-sensitive crops—such as potatoes, strawberries, fava beans, and sugar beet—with potassium, magnesium, and amino acids to enhance their resilience to thermal shock.

Dr Fahim concluded by stressing that “early preparedness is the only guarantee for protecting crops and ensuring public safety,” urging citizens and farmers alike to closely follow official weather updates in the coming days.