Climate Center warns of unusual heat wave hitting 40 degrees Thursday

CAIRO - 16 April 2026: Head of the Climate Change Information Center at the Agricultural Research Center, Dr. Mohamed Ali Fahim, issued a strong warning regarding the expected weather conditions Thursday.

 

He described the weather conditions as an unusual heat wave arriving approximately 75 days earlier than usual.  

 

The Climate Change Information Center predicted that the country will experience record-breaking temperatures, with Greater Cairo expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius in the shade, while temperatures in the governorates of Upper Egypt will approach 40 degrees Celsius.

 

 

 

Urgent Agricultural Recommendations to Protect Crops

 

Fahim stressed that crops are currently going through very critical growth stages, requiring immediate action to minimize losses. This necessitates strict adherence to irrigation only in the early morning or at night, completely prohibiting irrigation during the afternoon to ensure soil moisture and avoid plant shock.

 

Fahim directed that late-season wheat be irrigated before the wave intensifies, with supplemental magnesium. He advised early-season wheat farmers to begin harvesting and threshing immediately if the crop is ready, to avoid the strong winds expected to begin on Friday.

 

Regarding fruits and vegetables (especially mangoes), he warned of the risk of fruit drop and sunburn, recommending preventative spraying with potassium silicate or potassium phosphite, and emphasizing the need for strong ventilation to reduce heat gain inside greenhouses.

 

 

Personal safety of citizens

 

In a related context, the center issued several tips for citizens and travelers to ensure their safety, including avoiding direct sun exposure at midday, drinking plenty of fluids, and wearing cotton clothing and head coverings.

 

It also urged drivers to exercise extreme caution on highways due to reduced visibility caused by suspended dust.

 

Fahim concluded his remarks by emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring of agricultural pests after the heatwave ends, as high insect activity is expected due to the sudden change in temperatures.