The Mosque of Mohamed Ali and the Cairo Citadel are partially obscured by dust during a sandstorm in over Cairo
Winds of 40–60 km/h are expected, with gusts reaching up to 80 km/h, drastically reducing visibility—especially in North Upper Egypt, Greater Cairo, the Suez Canal, Sinai, and the Gulf of Suez. Some gusts may reach storm-force intensity, the EMA said.
Citizens are advised to avoid weak structures, wear masks outdoors, and follow official updates. Driving conditions may become hazardous due to airborne dust and poor visibility.
Rainfall is likely in northern areas, with thunderstorms possible along the coast. Greater Cairo, North Sinai, and the Canal cities may see light to moderate rain. Maritime activity in the Gulf of Suez will be disrupted, with waves reaching up to 3 metres.
Temperatures on Wednesday will remain high, with Greater Cairo forecast to hit 33°C and Upper Egypt ranging from 33°C to 40°C. A marked drop in temperature is expected on Thursday, with Cairo cooling to 27°C and Upper Egypt falling to between 28°C and 34°C.
The khamsin is a seasonal phenomenon that typically occurs between March and May, driven by hot, dry desert winds sweeping across North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean. Its name, derived from the Arabic word for “fifty”, refers to its traditional 50-day duration.
Meteorologists note that climate change may be contributing to the storm’s growing intensity and unpredictability in recent years.
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