File Photo: A rainy day in the capital Cairo. AFP
A forecast issued on Wednesday points to bursts of moderate rain—occasionally thundery, with a roughly 30 percent chance—across Greater Cairo, the Canal cities, the northeastern coast, parts of the Nile Delta, North Upper Egypt, North and Central Sinai, and along the Gulf of Suez.
Elsewhere, lighter but still persistent showers are expected along the northwestern coast and in northern Lower Egypt, while parts of South Upper Egypt and the Red Sea mountains could see spells of moderate rain.
Winds will add a sharper edge. Speeds of 30–40 kilometres per hour (km/h) are forecast along the northeastern coast and in South Sinai, with gusts reaching up to 50–60km/h in places. The authority warned that blowing sand and dust could sweep across parts of North Upper Egypt, the Red Sea governorate, the northwestern coast, and the Western Desert, at times reducing visibility.
Thunderclouds, also carrying an estimated 30 percent probability, may bring sudden downdrafts, lightning, and patchy flooding in low-lying areas.
The advice is familiar but worth repeating: avoid sheltering under trees, billboards, or anything that looks like it might not withstand a gusty spell, and keep an eye on official updates.
In Matrouh, the weather has already begun to bite. The governor, Major General Dr Mohamed El-Zamlout, ordered schools shut on Thursday after heavy rain since early Wednesday left water pooling across several districts.
Authorities said the closure would allow emergency crews to clear floodwater and shore up electricity networks strained by strong winds, as local agencies remain on high alert for further disruption.
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