Moderate rain and thunderstorms are expected along the north coast and the northern Delta on Thursday, including in Alexandria, Matrouh, Salloum, Beheira, Dakahlia, and Kafr El-Sheikh.

The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) also expects a disturbance in navigation and high waves off the northern coast.

Alexandria Governor Mohamed El-Sherif ordered a paid day-off on Thursday for female employees who are tending to children under 12 years of age.

Employees in leadership positions and shift workers in Alexandria schools will report to work as usual, in accordance with the requirements set by the heads of the education directorates.

The decision has been made to preserve public safety and allow authorities to deal with the effects of the bad weather, the Alexandria governorate said.

Greater Cairo and other parts of Egypt are also expected to see mild to heavy rainfall and possible thunder and snowfall over the weekend.

Rains may turn torrential in parts of Sinai and the Gulf of Suez on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) warned in a statement earlier.