Most severe weather instability in years to hit Egypt in 72 hrs: Climate center

CAIRO - 24 March 2026: Egyptians are warned of the most severe weather instability in years that is going to hit the country in the next 72 hours. 

 

A very heavy polar low-pressure system will begin dominating the atmosphere as of Tuesday evening, affecting the weather conditions, and resulting in a storm. 

 

Dr. Mohamed Ali Fahim, Head of the Climate Information Center at the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, issued an unprecedented warning regarding the weather conditions over the next 72 hours, describing what the country will experience as a "complete weather upheaval."

 

 

Deceptive weather preceding the storm

 

Fahim explained that Tuesday would witness what is known as a "deceptive weather pattern," with temperatures rising relatively, reaching 23 degrees Celsius in Cairo and 33 degrees Celsius in Aswan. However, this calm precedes a storm of sharp changes.

 

By evening, temperatures will begin to drop suddenly and rapidly, turning very cold across most of the country, coinciding with light to moderate rainfall along the northern coast, the northern Delta, and parts of Upper Egypt.

 

 

Peak of the Low-Pressure System and Expected Floods

 

The Head of the Climate Information Center warned that the real impact of the polar low-pressure system would begin Tuesday evening and reach its peak on Wednesday, when normal rainfall would turn into flash floods in some areas, accompanied by thunderstorms and hail.

 

He pointed out that the anticipated weather pattern is classified as "rare" in terms of its intensity and the speed with which it would shift from warmth to extreme cold.

 

 

Recommendations for citizens and farmers

 

Under these conditions, Fahim stressed the need for extreme caution, urging citizens not to be misled by the temporary warmth on Tuesday and to wear warm clothing to cope with the expected sharp drop in temperatures.

 

He also advised farmers to take the necessary precautions to protect their crops from strong winds and expected flash floods, in order to minimize losses that may result from this severe weather disturbance.

 

The Climate Information Center at the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation appealed to travelers and drivers on highways and desert roads to exercise extreme caution during the anticipated period of weather disturbances, which will peak at the end of this week.

 

Dr. Mohamed Ali Fahim, head of the center, stated that forecasts indicate strong winds carrying dust, leading to a sharp decrease in horizontal visibility.

 

 

Postponing unurgent travel

 

Fahim advised citizens to postpone non-essential travel between governorates during the storm period, emphasizing the need to drive at low speeds and adhere to traffic regulations when on desert roads to ensure everyone's safety.

 

The center noted that this wave is one of the strongest of the season, requiring a quick response from drivers to avoid the risks of poor visibility or traffic accidents resulting from high wind speeds.